Total length of excursion: 2276 meters
Total uphill difference in height: 192 meters
Approximate total time needed for the excursion:  1 hour and 15 minutes
Difficulty: hard (7 out of 10)
Recommended season: from the first days of July to the middle of September (when the cable way is open)
Suitable for rainy days? no
General characteristics of the natural environment: high mountain with 360° view over the Alta Valtellina mountains
Presence of water\fountains on the excursion: no
Trip on the borders of the Stelvio National Park: no
Benches on the route: no
Picnic areas on the route: no
Alpine shelters, bars or restaurants along the route: no
Circular route: no
Back and forth route: yes
Pushchair accessible: no
Excursion starting point: Bormio 3000 (reachable from Bormio with the cable way)
Geographic coordinates of the starting point: 46°25’13.93” N – 10°24’39.94” E  – –      UTM:  32T 608433  – 5141741
Altitude of the starting point: 2995 meters asl             Maximum height reached on the excursion: 3128  meters asl

Leaving the cable car that connects Bormio 2000 and Bormio 3000 you go down to the ground floor of the building and then walk around the outside in an anticlockwise direction following the signs for route 541 “I bei Laghetti”. Leaving the building of Bormio 3000 behind you, the path proceeds smoothly and slightly downhill on the east ridge of Mount Vallecetta.

At the first fork, well-marked by wooden hiking signs, keep right and proceed uphill on route 541.1 of Monte Vallecetta and Croce degli Alpini di Piatta.

The route, always well marked by white and red marks, follows the mountain ridge almost entirely, bypassing the most difficult rocks to cross on the south side of the mountain. Easier sections are interspersed with short more delicate passages in which it is necessary to pay careful attention.

The track, in fact, although it does not present any particularly difficult or dangerous stretches, is not recommended for hikers who suffer from vertigo or who feel unsure as a potential fall or slip could have unpleasant consequences.

Once you reach the summit of Mount Vallecetta, near the Cross of the Alpini, you will feel a great wonder. Stopping on top of a mountain is always impressive and fascinating and doing it on a panoramic mountain like Vallecetta is something extraordinary. Bormio and the valley floor look like ants. The mountains of the area reveal themselves in all their majesty and beauty. The Ortles, the Gran Zebrù, the Piccolo Zebrù, all the peaks of the upper Valfurva, the Adamello and Bernina glaciers, the Cima Piazzi. A 360 ° show.

Leaving the summit, follow the path you came by in the opposite direction, with all the necessary precautions.

Enjoy your excursion!

NOTES

• To head out on this excursion it’s necessary to take the cable ways of “Bormio Ski” and in particular the cable way that connects Bormio 2000 with Bormio 3000. When planning your excursion it’s necessary to pay particular attention to the opening and closing times of the service.
• For this itinerary it should be noted that, although the cable way greatly simplifies access to the mountain, the itinerary takes place entirely above 3000 meters. The thin air and lower oxygen levels, which are typical at these altitudes, accentuate physical fatigue and can make you feel short of breath. Is also always good to remember that at these altitudes the environmental and atmospheric conditions are those of the high mountain and should never be underestimated.