What we are about to discover are quality hiking routes, suitable for walkers with a sophisticated palate who in addition to appreciating Nature itself, really enjoy historical/cultural itineraries. And we’d like to recommend a particularly attractive and original treat which will take us to Dascio, starting from the shores of Lake Mezzola, and heading for the little Church of San Fedelino and then onwards across the lake to the jetty at Campo Mezzola.
 

But I suggest leaving from Campo Mezzola itself. Gianni, proprietor of the Val Codera holiday farm along with the bar/kiosk adjacent to the landing stage, will be happy to accompany you by boat and is an authority on the local flora and fauna, birdlife and the many sites of naturalistic and historical interest. We’ll meet up again at the end of our jaunt, on the shores where sits the Tempietto di San Fedelino. But first, from the jetty at Dascio we move along the via Bruga following the signs for San Fedelino and in just a few minutes we reach the panoramic viewpoint known as the “Sasso di Dascio”, where there is a small Church dedicated to the those killed in the war. It’s well worth a short sojourn.
There are magnificent, atmospheric views accompanying us all along the entire lakeside route, taking in val Codera, val di Rat, il sasso Manduino and il Legnone. From here the route winds along the ancient via Regina. We’re heading northwards amongst magnificent, age-old chestnut woodland until we reach a rather particular bridge with stone arches situated near the hump of Brentaletto (490m) representing the highest point of the excursion. A signpost indicates the historic route of the “Via Francesca” towards San Fedelino and to the right a panoramic viewpoint and the alternative (EE) again for San Fedelino. We take the latter and in no time at all we arrive at the natural terrace overlooking the lake. It’s a genuinely spectacular vista. It’s all downhill from here and in 20 mins. we reach the temple. The path is seriously steep and somewhat challenging (EE) and in places particularly exposed. I recommend considerable prudence for anyone who chooses this option. There is an alternative however along the “Via Francisca” which moves down rather more gently on the opposite slope and throws up splendid panorama across Chiavenna’s valley.