Valbondione to the Rifugio Barbellino

Hike in the Upper Seriana Valley. From Valbondione, I took the Antonio Curò Nature Trail, which leads to the Curò refuge at 1,915 m near the Barbellino reservoir, about 7 km from the start and with an elevation gain of 1,000 m. Along the trail, you can admire the highest mountain in the Orobie Alps, Pizzo Coca at 3,052 m. From the Curò refuge, I continued along the trail that runs just above the Serio River to Malgina Lake at 2,440 m. I descended again until I returned to the Serio River and reached the Barbellino reservoir at about 2,100 m and the Ludwigsburg refuge. The Serio River feeds the natural and artificial Barbellino lakes, from which the Seriana Valley takes its name.

Strava, elevation gain 1,123 m. We start from Grumetti (€3 parking), cool temperatures, reach the Curo Pass (closed during the week, open Saturday and Sunday), a short stop, and then head to the Ludwigsburg Pass at Barbellino (like the Curò Pass). The day is beautiful, with warm sunshine and snow from 2,400 m. The view is fairytale-like. We stop for a quick photo, and then, still following the scenic route, we return to the car. It's a bit of a long ride, but in this weather, it's worth it. Cheers!

I took my children to Curò for many years and I never noticed this wonderful path to Lake Barbellino... damn 🤣🤣🤣 better late than never!

Parking: Sports field Cost: €3 for the whole day, cash at the bar or parking lot with carts Shelter: Curò

In preparation for the adventure that awaits us next week we decide to do a classic of our Orobie, not too demanding but still beautiful: round trip to the natural Barbellino. Today we didn't miss anything and even though it's not in our tastes, we had lunch at the Rif. Barbellino with Parüc pasta and cheeses and foiade with hare ragout😋😋😋. A round of applause for the refugee's kitchen👏🏼👏🏼

Famous route in the Bergamo area, which absolutely deserves. There is everything: views of the peaks, waterfalls, artificial and natural lakes, two refuges, meadows for sunbathing and picnics. Simply exciting. The difference in altitude is well diluted along the several km, but once at the Curó Refuge it becomes a walk. Obviously such beauty attracts tourism in the summer, so be prepared at the weekend to have some difficulty finding parking (be aware that you need a scratch card) if you arrive late.

Rifugio Barbellino and Rifugio Curò are two excellent points of support for your excursions. It would have been nice to go around the Barbellino lake (artificial) but unfortunately the path on the other side is not maintained (this is what the refugee of the natural Barbellino lake told us)

I won't be able to go hiking for a long time due to the imminent birth of my third child, so I decide to organize one in a hurry. Wake up at 04:00, meeting with my climbing buddy at 05:00. We arrive in Grumetti (Valbondione) at 06:30 and the climb begins. Despite the heavy rains this week, the trail is mostly dry and easy to walk. We arrive in just over two hours at the Curò refuge overlooking the artificial Barbellino lake. A short stop and we set off on the easy (but long) trail that takes us to the Barbellino refuge and the natural lake of the same name. Some icy sections where you have to be very careful and it's very cold. A short stop at the refuge with a slice of apple pie and we go down after filling our eyes with wonder.