There are countless trails for hikers throughout Valle Spluga all year round, whether for the casual excursionist or indeed the connoisseur.

Anyone in search of broader horizons and moments of quiet reflection away from the mayhem of the city will not be disappointed here, immersed within the extraordinary silence of nature at its most unspoilt. And with so much choice: from challenging high altitude treks to gentle meanders through woodland or pasture; and depending on the season – hiking boot, or snow racquet, There are a myriad of little valleys leading off from the splendid Valle Spluga basin, all little gems in their own right. For a gentle winter hike we recommend one that heads off from Fraciscio taking in the hamlet of Mottala, then Gualdera and finally Bondeno.

There’s so much to take in and enjoy: the clear mountain air, the warmth at this altitude of even a winter sun, the overwhelming scents within forests of fir or larch; churches, chapels, simple wooden mountain retreats and the exhilaration of stumbling across a high alpine lake surrounded by dominating peaks and offering up breathtaking panoramas. But perhaps best of all – that magnificent silence all around.

Check out the route details locally.