Long and unbelievably panoramic, the Zebrù valley tour from bivacco Costantini is a very satisfying medium difficulty hike.

Zebrù valley tour from Bivacco Costantini – circular route

Total length of excursion: 17870 meters

Total uphill difference in height: 880 meters

Approximate total time needed for the excursion: 7 hours

Difficulty: medium (6 out of 10)

Recommended season: from the middle of June to the middle of October (check the altitude of snow before your trip)

Suitable for rainy days? no

General characteristics of the natural environment: emotionally panoramic trail

Presence of water\fountains on the excursion: yes

Trip on the borders of the Stelvio National Park: yes

Benches on the route: yes

Picnic areas on the route: yes

Alpine shelters, bars or restaurants along the route: yes (Rifugio Campo and Ristoro la Baita)

Circular route: yes

Back and forth route: no

Pushchair accessible: no

Excursion starting point:  Niblogo – Madonna dei Monti (Valfurva)

Geographic coordinates of the starting point: 46°27’53.36” N – 10°25’56.01” E —- UTM: 32T 609968 – 5146691

Altitude of the starting point: 1600 meters asl             Maximum height reached on the excursion: 2368 meters asl

Decription of the excursion:

Zebrù Valley tour from Bivacco Costantini – circular route

Long and unbelievably panoramic, the Zebrù valley tour from bivacco Costantini is a very satisfying medium difficulty hike. The excursion starts from the Niblogo car park, or, in case this one is full, from the Fantelle car park, a few hundred meters further up. Niblogo car park is also reachable from Bormio by taking the public bus (Bus Perego) in the direction of Madonna dei Monti.

From the car park take the stone road of Zebrù valley until you reach the bridge of “Tre Croci” (3 Crosses) where, following route 527, you turn right in the direction of “Pradaccio” and “Baite Cavallaro”. The road, without any difficulties, brings you to “Pradaccio di Sotto” where you should turn left in the direction of “Pradaccio di Sopra”. This intersection is not signed and it’s a dozen meters before the fountain and the sign of “Pradaccio di Sotto”.

At the next crossroad, near “Pradaccio di Sopra”, turn right and continue uphill along route 526-527 in the direction of “Baite di Campo”. The real uphill climb starts here and, with some steep sections, it will take you to the 2168 meters of “Baite di Cavallaro”.

Once you reach the “Baite di Cavallaro”  the dense wood of larch, spruse and stone pine, suddenly gives way to an incredible view of the Alta Valtellina.

Near the alpine pasture of “Cavallaro” the uphill section ends. Turning left, you walk along trail 526 in the direction of “Baite di Campo”.

The   first 200 meters of the trail cross a beautiful high mountain meadow and the route, although clear, is reduced to a track.  Once you arrive at the wood again, the route becomes more evident and with a series of slight ups and downs brings you to the 2360 meters of Bivacco Costantini.

Without any directional or technical difficulties, this section of the track initially crosses a beautifully scented wood of stone pine and rhododendron, and successively a stark high mountain environment with an indescribable landscape.

Arriving at the bivouac, which is property of Stelvio National Park and not available for excursionists, you continue again on a clear trail in the direction of  Baite di Campo.

A new series of slight and panoramic ups and downs, after 2 kilometres, brings you to the start of the descent that quickly takes you to the Baite di Campo. The descent runs all the way down on a single track surrounded by a beautiful larch wood.  It is steep but without any particular difficult or dangerous steps.

Once you reach the Baite di Campo, turn left and walk along the stone road of Zebrù valley. In a few minutes you will arrive at the rifugio Campo where we suggest you take a revitalizing break enriched by the courtesy of the young owners Claudia and Nicola.

After the break, about 8 kilometres of pleasurable walk along the easy  stone road of Zebrù Valley will bring you back to the car park.

Along the route it’s possible to see squirrels, steinbocks, deers, chamois, eagles and bearded vultures.

Enjoy your walk!

Stefano and all of the Albergo Adele staff

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