Total length of excursion: 6.220 meters

Total uphill difference in height: 200 meters

Approximate total time needed for the excursion: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Difficulty: easy (4 out of 10)

Recommended season: from June to October (check the snow altitude before the hike)

Suitable for rain days?: no

General characteristics of the natural environment: panoramic trail in the wonderful “Val Viola”

Presence of water/fountains on the excursion: yes

Trip on the bordes of the Stelvio National Park: no

Benches on the route: yes

Picnic areas on the route: no

Alpine shelters, bars or restaurants along the route: yes (Rifugio Federico in Dosdè – Agriturismo Caricc)

Circular route: yes

Back and forth route: no

Pushchair accessible: no

Excursion starting point: Altumeira – Val Viola (Car park with ticket)

Geographic coordinates of the starting point: 46°26’18.56” N – 10°11’55.85” E — UTM:  32T 592093  –  5143468

Altitude of the starting point: 2070 meters asl          Maximum height reached on the excursion:   2174 meters asl

The “Val Viola” is one of the most admired and visited areas of the Alta Valtellina. This valley offers a lot of opportunities for hikers and here we propose the circular route that, starting from the car park of Altumeira (the last car park of the valley), goes uphill towards Lake Viola and turns left in the direction of the glacier peaks of the “Cime di Lago Spalmo”.

Once you arrive at the gateway of the heavenly plateau of the valley “Cantone di Dosdè”, a short descent on single track takes you to the center of the valley and, caressing the gorge and the beautiful waterfall of the Viola river, brings you to the “Agriturismo Caricc”.

This excursion is very interesting in September and October when the larches, painted with warm autumn colors, give this valley a wonderful atmosphere.

From the car park of “Altumeira” take the stone road of the “Val Viola” that goes slightly uphill along route 290 in the direction of  “Rifugio Viola” and “Passo di Val Viola”.

After a little more than 1 kilometer the road presents a fork. One road continues straight toward Lake Viola while the second road turns left and goes slightly downhill in the direction of the glaciers of the peaks of “Cime di Lago Spalmo” and the wonderful valley “Val Cantone di Dosdè”. Take this second road and continue in the direction of the “Alpe Dosdè”. Once you reach the mountain pasture “Alpe Dosdè” turn left on route 208 in the direction of the “Rifugio Federico” that you will reach in a few minutes walk.

From the Alpine shelter you should come back the way you came for a few meters until you meet the intersection with the trail 2913 that goes in the direction of the “Baita Caricci”. Pay attention during the first few hundred meters that take you to the wood because in some tracts the trail, even though it’s marked with paint on the stones, isn’t always clear.

In a few minutes this track takes you toward the center of the Valley (val Viola) where you meet a small but incredible panoramic terrace on the gorge of Viola valley and its wild waterfall.

A few minutes descent on a single track brings you to the “Agriturismo Baita Caricci”. Leaving the enchanting rest stop, continue along the stone road in the direction of “Arnoga”. A few hundred meters after the “agriturismo”,  turn left on route 293/1 in the direction of the car park of “Altumeira”.

A short ascent brings you to the starting and finishing point of this excursion.

Enjoy your walk!

Stefano and all of the Albergo Adele staff

Text translated by Stefano Bedognè and Paul Faller (teacher at My English 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.