Skiing is great, that's hard to dispute; but whether it's the only activity to do when there's snow is certainly open to question. Fortunately, there is a clear alternative: snowshoeing! Snowshoeing in Lombardy, specifically, means being able to explore wonderful places at a slower pace than skiing, while exerting far less effort than walking in regular boots.
Snowshoes are simply an evolved version of the traditional wooden and rope snowshoes, now made with plastic materials. Thanks to snowshoes, you can walk immersed in nature, surrounded by silence and far from crowds and groups of people. The sport is not too different from cross-country skiing and is also more sustainable than skiing, which requires the use of ski lifts or paid slopes.
Of course: to snowshoe you need to dress appropriately and have the right equipment (check out this article to learn more), but the final experience is absolutely worth it.
There are countless trails you can explore with snowshoes on your feet, often allowing you to see winter landscapes that in summer attract many tourists.
We at Meeters have considerable experience in organizing events, having dedicated years to creating events and opportunities for both adults and children in settings of natural or cultural significance. When it comes to making new friends, we are always at the forefront, and with our accumulated experience we are confident we can recommend the best mountain trails in Lombardy,including Val Brembana,, Val di Mello, and many other typical winter destinations.
Let's discover together the best itineraries for some great snowshoeing.
From Pian delle Betulle to Cimone Margno
The first snowshoe trail we want to talk about today is in Valmalenco,in the province of Sondrio,starting from a particularly scenic trail. It begins at Prati Pedana,a hamlet of the aforementioned municipality; from the parking lot near the chairlift, follow the signs for the so-called botanical trail.
This botanical trail is usually somewhat muted in winter by the generous amount of snow covering the area; the white blanket that covers everything undoubtedly makes it even more enchanting.
The final reward is Lago Palù and the homonymous refuge, a perfect place to enjoy some typical dishes from Valtellina.
Towards Capanna 2000
If elevation changes don't scare you, the route to Capanna 2000 in Valseriana might be just what you're looking for. From Zambia Alta, you need to reach La Plassa at 1169 meters; from there, put on your snowshoes and follow the road towards Rifugio Capanna 2000.
Why did we mention significant elevation changes? Because the trail from La Plassa to Capanna 2000 climbs an 800-meter elevation gain, which can be challenging for less experienced snowshoers. The reward, however, is the pizzoccheri you can enjoy at the refuge, which are appealing even to less adventurous palates.
Towards Rifugio Parafulmine
Parking at the designated spot on Monte Farno in the municipality of Gandino, you can reach Rifugio Parafulmine. The route to this refuge is fairly easy and suitable for all types of snowshoers, even those new to the activity.
The starting point is at 1536 meters, and the trail length is not excessive: it takes about 60 minutes to go from the parking lot to the refuge. Fortunately, the path is well marked and rewards visitors with remarkable views, with Pizzo Formico towering over the other mountains.
This excursion is suitable for beginners and can provide great satisfaction.
The Best of Lecco: Loop Between Alpe Paglio, Cimone di Margno and Pian delle Betulle
We conclude our selection of snowshoe trails with a very interesting loop. This trail starts from the large parking lot atAlpe Paglio and reaches Cimone di Margno, which we have already seen in a previous snowshoe trail.
What adds a bit of zest to the route is the return: from Cimone, instead of returning directly to the parking lot, you can take a pleasant detour to Pian delle Betulle. The specific route is divided as follows: from the parking lot, you start by passing alongside the ski slopes; during the ascent, you will surely find the sign for the snowshoe trail: from there on, just follow the directions.
The specific route is divided as follows: from the parking lot, you first walk alongside the ski slopes; during the ascent, you will definitely find the sign for the snowshoe trail: from there on, just follow the directions.