The best walks and hikes around Gianico

A peak over two thousand meters high, overlooking the Montecampione plain and the Bassinale valley. On the grassy, rounded summit, a simple cross with two howitzers fixed at its base. It can be reached via various trails, or by following the two main ridges: the southeast (EE) and the northwest (EE+, which also features a small equipped cliff mid-ridge). From the summit, you can enjoy a splendid panorama wherever you turn, surrounded by imposing mountain ranges at the four cardinal points, as well as the upper part of Lake Sebino, the Camonica Valley, and the Trompia Valley. With a particularly trained eye, you can see: to the north the Orobie mountain range and at first sight the Presolana (you can also glimpse the snow-capped Bernina), to the east the Adamello massif and the Brenta Dolomites, to the south the mountains of the Maniva mountain range, to the west the Monte Guglielmo group.

Beautiful place

Montecampione has dedicated a dutiful tribute to Marco Pantani, the unforgettable cycling champion, to commemorate the legendary climb of June 4, 1998. After a long period of work, the project has finally been completed. On 26 June 2021, an imposing 6-metre-high statue was inaugurated at Plan di Montecampione. The event saw the participation of various authorities, numerous enthusiasts and Tonina Belletti, the mother of the "Pirate".

The Cimosco Refuge offers everyone the opportunity to live an accessible experience through a short walk, both in summer and winter. Located in an extraordinary panoramic position, it offers a view that extends from Lake Iseo to the imposing Orobie and Adamello. In the surrounding area, there is the Valgrigna Reserve, a magical place rich in Alpine flora and fauna. Towards the end of September, visitors can even hear the romantic bellowing of deer, enriching the atmosphere. In addition to this, the refuge is a starting point for adventurous excursions along the Via del Silter or the Sentiero Tre Valli, a 120 kilometer circular route that crosses the Brescia valleys: Val Trompia, Val Sabbia and Val Camonica, where it is located the shelter. Mountain bikers will find interesting routes to explore the surrounding beauty. Ultimately, a visit here promises an exciting and unforgettable experience.

In addition to the beautiful images of Pantani drawn on the walls that line the road to the Plan, you can admire the magnificent statue in memory of his exploits on 4 June 1998. Here Pantani, eyes closed and arms raised towards the sky, crossed the finish line of an epic stage of the Giro d'Italia, after a legendary duel with Pavel Tonkov.

Monte Muffetto is a mountain located in the province of Brescia, Lombardy. With its suggestive landscapes and unspoiled nature, it is an ideal destination for hiking and nature lovers. The top of Monte Muffetto offers spectacular views of the surrounding area and allows visitors to immerse themselves in the tranquility and beauty of the Lombardy mountains. It is a popular destination for those looking for a pleasant outdoor adventure and a way to get away from the daily grind.

The Elena Tironi refuge in Rosello di Sopra, located in the Vasta Valgrigna area, is an enchanting structure immersed in a larch forest, which offers a welcoming and peaceful atmosphere. It is easily accessible from various paths, including the popular path from Plan di Montecampione 1800, also suitable for families with children and mountain bike lovers. The strategic position of the refuge makes it an ideal starting point for excursions along the 3V path and the Via dei Silter, two paths that cross the Vasta Valgrigna area. Furthermore, it is well connected to the Maniva and Crocedomini passes. The structure offers a heated dining room with fireplace, which can accommodate up to 40 people, and a room equipped for conferences or workshops. On the second floor, there are 5 bedrooms with a total of 22 beds. The kitchen of the refuge offers typical regional dishes, including local dairy products such as Silter DOP cheese from Valle Camonica, fresh ricotta, malghe formagelle and fresh milk. There are also dishes based on sheep meat from the nearby Rosellino malga. The culinary philosophy is based on regionality, seasonality and variety, favoring purchases from small production companies in the Camonica valley. In the refuge there is also a small mountain vegetable garden and some hives that produce alpine honey. This refuge offers a unique experience, immersed in the natural beauty of the area, which invites you to discover the pleasures of walking and to enjoy a warm and authentic welcome.

The Val Grigna Regional Forest covers an area of 2,847.50 hectares, located in the municipalities of Berzo Inferiore, Bienno, Bovegno, Esine and Gianico. It extends from an altitude of 1,000 meters to the summit of Monte Crestoso, which reaches 2,207 metres. The landscape of the area is characterized by spruce fir and larch woods, interspersed with large clearings used as pastures. Much of the forest is in Valle Camonica, but a significant portion of the south-facing pastures extend beyond the watershed, into Valle Trompia. Inside the Forest there are numerous structures, originally linked to alpine farming and cattle grazing. Over time, many of these structures have been restructured to continue to perform their function, while others have been transformed into bivouacs, refuges, agritourisms, environmental education centers and ethnographic museums. Access to the Forest and to the alpine pastures is through some forest roads, but the internal connections are mainly pedestrian, through ancient paths which today also offer considerable excursion interest. Furthermore, the area is crossed by long-distance paths, such as the Tre Valli Bresciane path and the Via dei Silter, which connect the pastures of the Vasta Valgrigna area in a fascinating trek. Hunting is prohibited in the regional forests, but it is possible to spot deer, chamois and black grouse for those with good eyesight or a bit of luck.