Via Valeriana

• Length:

  200 km

• Stages:

  12

• Departure:

  Brescia

• Arrival:

  Passo del Tonale / Tirano

Since ancient times, Lake Iseo and the Camonica Valley have been crisscrossed by numerous paths that joined them and allowed the passage of men and goods to the plains, the city of Brescia, and the Alpine passes to reach neighboring valleys.

Some routes used as early as prehistoric times were then widened and settled in later periods, both in Roman times with the construction of the town of Cividate Camuno and in the Middle Ages with the building of numerous settlements. These routes fell into disuse only in the 19th century with the construction of a more convenient road on the valley floor.

On the origin of the term “Valerian” there are two hypotheses. The first would date the route to Roman times, built in the 3rd century at the behest of Consul Gaius Publius Licinius Valerianus. The second hypothesis has the name derived from “Vallesiana or Valleriana,” a term for a route that winds within a valley. The same term is also found in Valtellina and other mountain areas.

In Camonica Valley, there is great presence of water in fact in every village crossed there are several fountains where you can refuel. Generally, there are water sources on average every 4 km along the route;

Stage 1. Brescia – Rodengo Saiano 17.7km

The walk starts from the archaeological site of the Capitolium of the city of Brescia, passes through the center, reaching the Parco delle Colline in Urago Mella where the climb up the hills begins. It continues with views of Franciacorta and its vineyards until reaching the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Stella in Cellatica. The route descends to Gussago following secondary roads, with views of the hill of the Santissima, proceeding through vineyards and fields until reaching the Olivetan Abbey of Saints Nicholas and Paul VI in Rodengo Saiano. The complex is worth a visit for its artistic beauty and as a place of meditation.

Stage 2. Rodengo Saiano – Pilzone d’Iseo 16 km.

Leaving the abbey, passing through the village of Rodengo Saiano, we head toward the Maglio Averoldi in Ome. The route crosses the Ome Oak Forest Park and continuing slightly uphill we reach the village of Monticelli Brusati and the locality of Gaina. It continues along forest paths climbing in altitude to pass the mountain between Franciacorta and Lake Iseo. Reaching the top, the descent begins, still in the woods, toward Pilzone d’Iseo. We recommend a stop at the giant bench by the church of San Fermo just before the end of the stage with views of the lake and Monte Isola.

Stage 3. Pilzone – Pisogne, 23 km.

The stage starts at Pilzone Church, where we cross the road and begin the ascent on the historic route of Via Valeriana of Lake Iseo. The entire time the route remains in a dominant position on the lake and climbs in altitude to reach Zone and cross the Zone cross pass, from where the descent to Pisogne and then almost the lakeshore begins. The route provides beautiful scenic views of the lake area and Montisola. The first stage of Via Valeriana is mostly immersed in nature, among olive trees and woods. Descending to Pisogne, the stage ends at the Church of Santa Maria della Neve, famous for its frescoes by Romanino. From here the second stage of Via Valeriana starts, entering Valle Camonica.

Stage 4. Pisogne – Boario Terme, 15.4

Starting from Pisogne, a small medieval village on the shores of Lake Iseo where you can admire the church of Santa Maria della Neve with frescoes by the painter Girolamo Romanino, crossing some stretches of countryside you reach the villages of Gratacasolo, Beata, Pian Camuno and Artogne. Continuing uphill, the route crosses plateaus and wooded areas from which the landscape below can be seen. When you reach the village of Gianico, you can make a small detour to the Sanctuary of Madonna del Monte, built in 1500. Leaving Gianico, one continues to the hamlets of Darfo (Pellalepre and Fucine) where one crosses the Oglio River on the ancient Montecchio bridge. The stage ends in Boario where you can admire the thermal baths. This is an easy stage that does not present great differences in height and is the most urbanized of the entire Cammino, the Lower Valley being rich in inhabited centers.

Stage 5. Boario Terme – Malegno, 15.6 km.

The stage begins at the Terme di Boario spa and climbs to the medieval village of Erbanno, where you can visit the church of Santa Maria del Restello with frescoes by painter Callisto Piazza. Leaving the village, you follow a mid-coast path with vine terraces. After a few kilometers a climb begins, among woods and streams, that leads to the Sanctuary of the Annunciata di Piancogno, a 15th-century monastic complex, rich in artistic evidence and world-famous for having hosted Blessed Innocenzo da Berzo. Continuing on to the village of Ossimo, the descent through the Bosco del Cerreto begins to reach the village of Malegno. If you wish at the end of the stage you can make a small detour, less than 2 km, to visit the village of Cividate Camuno, famous for its Roman remains.

Stage 6. Malegno – Ono San Pietro, 10.55 km.

The trail winds up gentle slopes among cultivated terraces, votive shrines and cottages. Wide open spaces allow striking views of the valley floor and the castle of Breno. Remaining at altitude, the road reaches the historic center of Losine, continuing northward the route crosses wine cultivations and woods to the village of Cerveno, where the Sanctuary of the Way of the Cross can be visited. Maintaining altitude with views of the Concarena and Pizzo Badile mountains, called the “Sacred Mountains of the Camonica Valley,” we cross naturalistic areas peculiar to this area. An easy walk takes us to the last stretch until we reach our destination. From Ono San Pietro with a detour of 2 km you can get to Cemmo and Capo di Ponte.

Stage 7 Ono San Pietro – Malonno, 17 km

Starting in Ono San Pietro, you begin the route between an up and down in the woods until you reach the quaint village of Pescarzo, leaving it to continue along comfortable paths shaded by chestnut trees. Maintaining the elevation and passing through historiated areas, you pass Sellero. The route continues on a comfortable bicycle/pedestrian path surrounded by trees and meadows to Forno Allione. Passing this area, crossing the Oglio River, continue along the bike/pedestrian path, again entering the woods and then the meadows until the stage ends in Malonno.

Stage 8 Malonno – Edolo, 10 km.

Leaving Malonno behind and maintaining altitude, the route passes through lush chestnut forests. The stage has a more naturalistic than cultural context as it passes through dense forests. The route has some steep climbs and descents until the finish near the center of Edolo.

Stage 9 Edolo – Aprica Pass, 16.7 km

From Edolo, the crossroads between the two main passes of the Camonica Valley, we reach the Ogliolo route (a river that will accompany us all the way). The route, initially flat, is almost all uphill to reach the 1200 meters of the pass. The stage passes through numerous villages surrounded by nature, including Corteno Golgi, home of Camillo Golgi. The section alternates between forests, meadows, typical mountain villages and votive shrines, all accompanied by the sound of flowing water and the sounds of nature. The stage ends in Aprica.

Stage 10. Aprica Pass- Tirano 15.7 km.

The stage starts from the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians and crosses Aprica down into Valtellina in the province of Sondrio. From the church of Santa Maria Assunta we take the historic Zapei D’Abriga trail through woods, votive shrines and views of the valley below. You reach the hamlet of Motta in the municipality of Villa di Tirano and continue until you walk along the Adda banks. The trail continues flat along the Valtellina path, among apple orchards and fields, ending the walk in front of the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Tirano

Stage 9bis Edolo – Ponte di Legno, 20.5 km

Starting from Edolo, we begin a short climb through the hamlet of Mù, from which we can see the plain below. From this point, the route proceeds all the way along a comfortable bicycle/pedestrian path with some not-too-demanding ups and downs. The predominantly naturalistic stage passes through numerous wooded areas typical of the upper valley, skirting the Oglio River, which is narrower in this area as we approach its source. Inhabited areas are few and mostly located on the opposite side of the valley. The route ends at the village of Ponte di Legno, an important summer and winter tourist resort due to the presence of numerous mountain trails, ski slopes, and the Tonale Pass.

Stage 10bis. Ponte di Legno – Passo del Tonale, 9 km.

The last stage is short but quite difficult because of the steep elevation gain, going from 1260 meters to 1883 meters above sea level. The route takes place completely in nature, the first part in forests and the second part in high altitude meadows. The stage ends at Tonale.

Supermarkets are present in the large centers such as Brescia-Rodengo Saiano-Pisogne-Boario-Malonno-Edolo-Ponte di Legno-Aprica- Tirano (end of stage).In the villages of Malegno-Ono san Pietro(end of stage) there are small grocery stores.

Pharmacies are present at all stage ends.

Signage present along the way.

Along stage No. 7 Ono San Pietro-Malonno is 20 meters of exposed trail on the valley floor, the passage is safe chains are also present to allow safe passage.

Along the trail it is forbidden to camp with tents, as evidence of this within the picnic areas there are also many prohibition signs. In addition, all land along the trail is private.

1 Stage: asphalt 50% – dirt 50%.

2 stage:asphalt 50%- dirt 50%.

3Tappa: 50% asphalt – 50% dirt.

4tap: 95 percent asphalt – 5 percent dirt.

Stage 5: 25 percent asphalt -75 percent dirt.

Stage 6: 30% asphalt -70 unpaved

Stage 7: 25% asphalt- 75% dirt road

Stage 8: 15%asfalto-85% unpaved

Stage 9 : 35%asphalt -65% dirt road

10tap : 50asphalt- 50 dirt road

9bis stage: 45%asfalto-55% unpaved

10bis stage: 5% asphalt-95% dirt road

The Way has a credential, free of charge

To apply for the credential fill out the format on the website:

https://www.viavaleriana.it/credenziale/

email: amiciviavaleriana@libero.it

www.viavaleriana.it