Discover Val Masino between forests, rock and culture

Val Masino combines a beech forest, distinctive rock formations, mountain peaks and cultural traces to create a varied destination in Italy. Between nature observation, climbing experiences, barrier-conscious mountain hiking and historic sites, you will find a range of reasons to explore the area at your own pace.

Forest, orientation and rock

The Foresta Val Masino has a permanent orienteering course. This gives the landscape a sporting dimension in addition to its natural one. Below Bagni di Masino, a beech forest grows with naturally occurring trees, some of which are more than 200 years old. The same beech forest is home to Rosalia alpina, a longhorn beetle that is rare in Italy.

Rock also characterises Val Masino. Sasso Remenno is considered the largest monolith in Europe. Its climbing walls are between 20 and 55 metres high. Melloblocco is an international bouldering event held in Val Masino, highlighting the area's importance to the bouldering and climbing scene.

Mountain hiking with special access

Thanks to the technologies used, the Sentiero Sensoriale dei Bagni di Masino enables blind and visually impaired visitors to undertake a mountain hike independently and safely.

You can reach the Val di Mello nature reserve from San Martino on foot in about 25 minutes, with approximately 100 metres of elevation gain. The shuttle service is no longer operating. Both details are relevant when planning the route: the approximate duration describes access from San Martino, while the elevation gain indicates the ascent. Since the shuttle service is no longer operating, the walk should be included in your time planning. Considering walking time and gradient separately allows you to realistically fit this access route into your daily schedule.

Summits in the surrounding area

Cima di Granda is in the immediate vicinity of Val Masino. Monte Pesconfio is also in the immediate vicinity. Cima d'Arcanzo is in the immediate vicinity. Cima del Cavalcorto is located in the Val Masino area.

Thermal history and historic sites

The Bagni di Masino thermal baths have been known since the 15th century and underwent significant development up to the 19th century. In Filorera, the church dedicated to Saint Gaetano bears the year 1695 on the tympanum of its simple façade. The parish church of San Pietro in Cataeggio contains frescoes by Gavazzeni.

The wider surrounding area also offers destinations for culturally interested excursions. Palazzo Malacrida is a palace in the Val Masino area. The Museo Civico di Storia Naturale is a museum in the Val Masino area. The Abbazia di San Pietro in Vallate is a ruin in the surrounding area. The wider regional area around Val Masino is also home to the MVSA – Museo Valtellinese di Storia e Arte, a museum.

More destinations

Chiareggio, Pedesina, Sassella, Menarola, Castione Andevenno, Bagni, Chiesa In Valmalenco and Valdisotto

To the overarching travel overview: Sondrio.