Total length of excursion: 18320 meters

Total uphill difference in height: 900 meters

Approximate total time needed for the excursion: 6 hours and 30 minutes

Difficulty: easy (4 out of 10)

Recommended season: from the middle of June to the middle of Oct. (check the altitude of snow before your trip) Suitable for rainy days? no

General characteristics of the natural environment: High mountain panoramic trail

Presence of water\fountains on the excursion: Yes

Trip on the borders of the Stelvio National Park: yes

Benches on the route: no

Picnic areas on the route: no

Alpine shelters, bars or restaurants along the route: no

Circular route: yes

Back and forth route: no

Pushchair accessible: no

Excursion starting point:  Picnic area of Solena – Car Park n° 8 of Cancano

Geographic coordinates of the starting point: 46°31’01.09” N – 10°19’55.44” E —- UTM: 32T 602180 – 5152351

Altitude of the starting point: 1985 meters asl      Maximum height reached on the excursion: 2782 meters asl

The excursion to the “Bocchetta di Pedenolo” and Forcola Valley, which starts from the Solena picnic area, in the lakes of the Cancano area, is a very satisfying panoramic excursion. Long but almost without difficulties, this route runs in one of the (unfairly)  less frequented areas of the Alta Valtellina.

From the “Solena car park” follow route 146, on your left, in the direction of the “malga Pedenolo”. Follow the stone road for about 2 kilometers until  you reach a fork near the river.

Here turn right and, crossing the river, continue along route 146. The old mule track goes regularly and slightly uphill in the direction of the “malga Pedenolo”.

Along the ascent the landscape is wonderful and the well maintained mule track almost completely removes the great sense of empty space provoked by the strong exposition of the environment.

Arriving at the end of the screes, near the Shepard’s cottage, the panorama suddenly changes. The gray color of the rocks gives way to the green of the  mountain fields. The steep and dusty ridge is transformed into a surreal high mountain Alpine pasture. The scenery is breath-taking in 360 degrees .

The route continues along the incredible plateau and, always on the mule track, proceeds slightly uphill in the direction of the “Bocchetta di Pedenolo”. The ascend ends at the 2760 meters of the “Bocchetta di Pedenolo” and so begins the long descent that, always on the mule track, continues in the direction of the “malga Forcola” and “Cancano”.

At the “Bocchetta di Pedenolo” we suggest you take a short diversion on your right (not obligatory) in the direction of the “Bocchetta di Pedenoletto” (10 minutes away) and then you will get back on the original downhill route via an easy track (take care at the “Bocchetta di Pedenoletto”  not to continue on the flat trail in the direction of the “Bocchetta di Forcola”).

The stone road, with a regular slope, continues downhill toward the center of the valley until it reaches the intersection with the mule track of the Forcola valley. At the fork turn left and, always going downhill, follow route 145 in the direction of the “malga Forcola” and “Cancano”.

The road, easy and without crossroads, continues the descent along the wild Forcola valley until it arrives at the picnic area of Solena, starting and ending point of our extraordinary excursion.

The breath-taking landscape, the sharp whistle of the marmots, the opportunity to see eagles, bearded vultures, chamois and steinbocks, give you an incredible experience along an itinerary that we reaffirm is long, wild, almost completely free of difficulties and unfairly barely frequented by trekkers.

Notes:

This high mountain excursion runs in one of the less frequented areas of the Alta Valtellina and the cellphone signal is almost absent along the entire route. For this reason we invite you to plan the excursion paying careful attention to the weather forecast and the hours of light that you have.

Enjoy your walk!

Stefano and all of the Albergo Adele staff

Text translated by Stefano Bedognè and Paul Faller (teacher at MyEnglish Lodi)

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The information provided on this page, on our website and on the blog in general, are finalized to promote the touristic and cultural opportunities of Bormio and Valtellina but they are not substitutions in any way for professional accompaniment or the direct consultation of professional workers.

All of the excursions described on this website are for the purposes of promoting Bormio and Alta Valtellina. Every hiker has to consider independently their physical condition, personal experience and ability. The hiker has to check independently the trail complexity based on personal conditions, trail conditions and weather conditions, including the presence of ice, snow, landslides, avalanches or other events. Albergo Adele and Stefano Bedognè don’t assume any responsibility for any accident occuring to the trekkers during the trip here described. Albergo Adele and Stefano Bedognè always suggest being accompanied by a Mountain Guide.