Wandering through woodland, outings taking on the steepest of pathways, the beauty of lake, stream and mountain. Summer in Madesimo is a truly magical experience breathing in nature&´s pure air. It&´s now universally accepted that we should respect our surroundings and behave appropriately so as not to damage the environment. So, rucksack on shoulders with all the necessary gear and a picnic lunch, we head off along the paths that surround Madesimo and the Spluga Valley. And there is something for everyone, casual ramblers, families or the more experienced and some are even suitable for pushchairs - like the one that hugs the river - whilst others reveal magical places - such as the lake at Andossi. And for anyone looking for more demanding excursions there is no shortage of choice with any number of surrounding peaks to aim for with breathtaking views along the way. To ease your initial ascent in the summer months, the Larici cableway will be open which also serves the Madebike slopes, along with the Sky Express underground funicular connecting Campodolcino to Alpe Motta. And of course while you&´re out and about keep an eye open for the range of wild creatures in their natural habitat, squirrels, marmots, stags and roe deer. Obviously common courtesy should rule: keep your dogs on a leash, don&´t be tempted to get too close and keep the noise down! And as summer fills the meadows with a rainbow of floral effects - remember

the flowers and fruits - blueberries and mushrooms - are there for a purpose - to provide a thriving eco-system. But for those who prefer to get about on two wheels whilst remaining at the very heart of nature, options are plentiful: lots of pathways to tackle for all levels of ability, and suitable for mountain bike and e-bike too. "One of the first conditions of happiness is that the bond between Man and nature should not break". The words of Leo Tolstoy, no less. Well worth remembering.