All along the watchtower that the terraces of Bregaglia represent there are perfect autumn destinations. Savogno sets the standard, whilst Dasile and Corbia too offer breathtaking panorama over Valchiavenna and upper Bregaglia. Consider the options: on foot from Salone to Borgonuovo, or from Bregalone to Villa di Chiavenna, or indeed using the highly convenient ‘daily permit’ for the car, along the forest track which takes you almost to Savogno itself.
The Sarlone option is for seasoned walkers. Leaving from near the Acquafraggia waterfalls, Borgonuovo you head up the right hand slope along a series of steps snaking between terrace and chestnut forest. In around an hour you’ll reach Savogno situated on a magnificent terrace and hosting a church.dated 1465.
A much gentler option is the path to Savogno that leaves from Posmotta at Villa di Chiavenna. Head off along a gentle dirt road on a thoroughly pleasant outing on a track which does little more than undulate. Finally for those who are in more of a hurry to get up and above, buy the ‘daily permit’ for the car and you can park up within three kilometres of Savogno itself. Permits are on sale at the bar in Prosto, Piuro near the Town Hall.
Savogno
The view opens out over the area devastated by the huge landslide of 1618, completely burying the thriving Piuro. Magnificent panorama at around 1000m where the village sits astride a totally natural ‘balcony’ overlooking Val Bregaglia. Go back in time through the tiny alleys which riddle the place and note the very particular emphasis on multi-storied architecture. Don’t miss the church which Don Luigi Guanella led from 1867-75.
Dasile
On leaving the village cross the bridge over the stream and move upwards towards Dasile situated about 200 metres above Savogno. It’s considerably smaller and sits on the edge of beautiful lush meadowland. Cliff-top views of the Valchiavenna plain, Mese and down to Gordona are memorable, along with the peaks that skirt Val Bondengo and the contours of Val Pilotera, Cigolino and. Sommarovina. A ‘balcony’ with few parallels indeed.
Corbìa
For anyone still standing, just a little higher up at around 1500m is the grazing land of Corbia. The path becomes pretty steep and challenging on the way up to the few remaining rustic dwellings. Corbia’s perched on a steep bank from where the spellbinding views are even more expansive.
