Discover Rasura: Mountain Trails, Alpine Pastures and Valtellina Culture

Rasura brings together alpine landscapes, marked trails and Valtellina culture in a compact area. Between Alpe Culino, the historic parish church, museums and regional cheese specialities, you will find a variety of points of interest for a trip focused on nature and culture.

Alpe Culino and the Mountain Landscape

The Foresta Demaniale dell’Alpe Culino state forest covers 311 hectares, is located in the municipality of Rasura and extends downhill from Monte Rosetta at an elevation of 2,357 metres. Alpe Culino combines alpine meadows at medium and high elevations with woodland areas. From there, views open out over the valley floor of Morbegno, the Costiera dei Cech and the mountain group of the Val Masino valley.

In the Alpe Culino area, the hiking trail begins at Bar Bianco at an elevation of 1,506 metres. It ends either at Baita dei Vèn at 1,801 metres, Lago Culino at 1,959 metres or Cima della Rosetta at 2,142 metres.

Hiking Trails and Sporting Routes

The ancient Valgerola road is still marked, can be walked in about two hours and passes through Campione, Sacco and Rasura. The “Dal Pizzo dei Tre Signori alla Valtellina” trekking route also runs through Rasura and passes below the parish church of San Giacomo.

On this trekking route, after a short descent, the Mulino del Dosso can be seen on the right; it is associated with the Museo Etnografico Vanseraf. The International Rosetta Skyrace route starts in Rasura and climbs uphill to the alpine pastures of Ronchi and Corte.

For cyclists, there is a 16-kilometre route that uses the Polifunzionale di Rasura as its starting and finishing centre. It follows the Via-del-Bitto trail, a wide and accessible cycle route, as far as the Olano alpine pasture. Another route starts at the Polifunzionale di Rasura and runs for 3.2 kilometres, almost entirely along a trail, through the Orobie Mountains of Val Gerola to Cima Rosetta at 2,150 metres.

Church, Mill Museum and Mountain History

The parish church of Rasura is dedicated to Saint James the Elder. It was built in 1634 on the remains of an older church dating from the 14th century. The Museo Vanseraf was built in 1836 by Giacomo Pezzini from Rasura. A visit provides insight into the history of Valtellina and the lives of its inhabitants.

The Mulino del Dosso houses the Vanseraf ethnographic museum. From Rasura, it can be reached in a few minutes via the mule track that leads below the church to the districts of Dosso and Sacco. The Museo della montagna is located in the Polifunzionale di Rasura.

Cheese and Local Traditions

Alpe Culino is one of the most important ERSAF alpine pastures for producing Bitto DOP. Bitto DOP, ricotta and goat cheese are sold directly at Bar Bianco. Rasura is also one of the traditional centres for producing Valtellina Pezzotti.

Local festival culture includes the Sagra della Castagna: in Rasura, it was held on 5 and 6 October in its 39th edition. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation, you can therefore distinguish between trails directly in Rasura, the cultural sites in the village and the higher-altitude destinations of Alpe Culino. The road to Alpe Culino leads from Morbegno through Val Gerola to Rasura and then continues onwards; the route is approximately 6 kilometres long, with the final 2 kilometres running along an unpaved road.

More Places for Your Trip to Italy

Tartano, Delebio, Prata Camportaccio, Caiolo, Maroggia, Torre Di Santa Maria, Madesimo, Castione Andevenno

For the higher-level travel overview: Sondrio.