The route offers two paths: the Via Occidentale, from Piantedo to Tirano, covering 90 km, and the Via Orientale, from Bormio to Tirano, covering 72 km.
The Via Occidentale, in particular, can be divided into 5 stages: Piantedo-Morbegno, Morbegno-Berbenno, Berbenno-Sondrio, Sondrio-Teglio, and Teglio-Tirano.
The Via Orientale, on the other hand, can be divided into 3 stages: Bormio-Cepina, Cepina-Grosotto, Grosotto-Tirano.
The first stage clings to the Orobic Alps side of Valtellina and follows the course of the River Adda upstream. On this beautiful stretch, you can visit the Marian shrine of the Beata Vergine dell’Immacolata in Andalo.
This long stage begins in the bottom of the valley before climbing onto the slopes of the Rhaetian Alps to reach Berbenno di Valtellina and the Church of Beata Vergine Assunta. Sat on the sunny, south-facing slopes, the view opens up, letting you admire the valley’s terraced vineyards, and incorporates stretches of the Via dei Terrazzamenti walking trail.
Sticking to the Rhaetian Alps side of the valley, leave Berbenno di Valtellina and its church and head towards the beautiful site of the Santuario della Madonna della Sassella, tucked into the vineyards where it has sat for centuries.
In one of the most picturesque and panoramic stages, you will traverse the south-facing slopes through vineyards and ancient villages, stopping at several of the most fascinating churches, including the Church of Santa Maria di Ligone, thought to be amongst the oldest in Valtellina. The stage ends in Teglio, the valley’s former capital (and origin of its name), where you’ll find the ancient Church of Santa Eufemia.
The final stage of the Via Occidentale keeps to the Rhaetian slopes of the valley, where the long-established tradition of winemaking is still active and visible, as witnessed by the many examples of rural architecture. For visitors, there are many opportunities to taste this exceptional produce by visiting local wine cellars. Traversing the vineyards, the route takes in hiking paths and dirt roads above Bianzone and Villa di Tirano before reaching the Sanctuary of Madonna di Tirano, the province’s most significant religious monument.
