Brescian Trails Hiking in the Province of Brescia www.rifugi.lombardia.it - www.provincia.bs.it Brescia, provincia da scoprire Bibliography Grafo Edolo, l’Aprica e le Valli di S. Antonio, 2010 Le Pertiche nel cuore della Valsabbia, 2010 Gargnano tra lago e monte, 2010 I colori dell’Alto Garda: Limone e Tremosine, 2008 Il gigante Guglielmo tra Sebino e Valtrompia, 2008 L’Alta Valcamonica e i sentieri della Guerra Bianca, 2008 L’antica via Valeriana sul lago d’Iseo, 2008 Sardini Editrice Guida ai sentieri del Sebino Bresciano, 2009 Guida al Lago d’Iseo, 2007 Parco Adamello Guida al Parco dell’Adamello Provincia di Brescia Parco dell’Adamello Uffici IAT - Informazione e Accoglienza Turistica Sentiero Nr1, Alta Via dell’Adamello Brescia Lago di Garda Piazza del Foro 6 - 25121 Brescia Desenzano del Garda Ferrari Editrice Tel. 0303749916 Fax 0303749982 Via Porto Vecchio 34 [email protected] 25015 Desenzano del Garda I Laghi Alpini di Valle Camonica Vallecamonica Tel. 0303748726 Fax 0309144209 [email protected] Associazione Amici Capanna Lagoscuro Darfo Boario Terme Il Sentiero dei Fiori Piazza Einaudi 2 Gardone Riviera 25047 Darfo Boario Terme Corso Repubblica 8 - 25083 Gardone Riviera Tel. 0303748751 Fax 0364532280 Tel. 0303748736 Fax 036520347 Nordpress [email protected] [email protected] Il sentiero 3v Edolo Salò La Val d’Avio Piazza Martiri Libertà 2 - 25048 Edolo Piazza Sant’Antonio 4 - 25087 Salò Tel. 0303748756 Fax 036471065 Tel. 0303748733 Fax 036521423 [email protected] [email protected] Ponte di Legno Sirmione Corso Milano 41 Viale Marconi 6 - 25019 Sirmione Maps 25056 Ponte di Legno Tel. 030916114 - 0303748721 Fax 030916222 Tel. 0303748761 Fax 036491949 [email protected] Fogli Kompass 71, 94, 96, 103, 106, 107, 694 [email protected] Toscolano Maderno Lago d’Iseo e Franciacorta SS 45 bis, angolo via Sacerdoti Visualizzazione IGM: www.pcn.minambiente.it Lungolago Marconi 2 c-d - 25049 Iseo 25088 Toscolano Maderno Provincia di Brescia: http://sit.provincia.brescia.it/cartografia Tel. 0303748733 Fax 030981361 Tel. 0303748741 Fax 0365641330 [email protected] [email protected] Provincia di Brescia - Assessorato al Turismo Via Musei 32 25121 Brescia tel. 0303749438 [email protected] Brescian Trails Hiking in the Province of Brescia Brescian Trails Hiking in the Province of Brescia A favourite choice for “outings” since the late nineteenth century, the wonderful setting of the Brescia Mountains and valleys has been very popular for several years now, resulting in numerous promotional initiatives. Mountains with breath- taking views, high peaks, valleys, Alpine lakes and forests can today be discovered or rediscovered thanks to a close-knit network of paths and Refuges perfectly equipped to welcome experts, keen walkers and excursionists. “Sentieri bresciani”, this guide to trails in the Brescia area, is packed with information and advice about how to behave to ensure safe Mountain walks that respect the environment. It is an excellent introduction to the rocks and cliffs, high-altitude paths, treks through rhododendrons or easier routes for everyone, in history-rich surroundings and environments. It gives not only the paths best-known to experts and Alpine guides, but also many routes suitable for families, where you might even experience the excitement of coming face to face with some of the local fauna, can admire the variety of plants and flowers and be amazed by geological curiosities and works of art. From the big national and regional parks to the huge number of natural reserves in Valle Camonica, Valle Sabbia and Valle Trompia and also right along the Mountains surrounding the lakes, the area around Brescia has managed to preserve its Alpine environment of great value. Every year, the provincial authorities make constant efforts to protect, enhance and promote this important natural heritage. It is my great pleasure to invite readers to don their backpacks and enjoy the trails in the Brescia area. Concept: Assorifugi Lombardia Editing and digital imaging IMK.IT - www.imk.it Silvia Razzi Author: Gio Lodovico Baglioni - www.giolodovico.it Councillor for Tourism Maps: IMK.IT - www.imk.it Province of Brescia Photographs: Gio Lodovico Baglioni, Giacomo Baccanelli, Sandro Faia Graphics, layout and printing: la Cittadina - www.lacittadina.it Information about the refuges is provided by the Associazione dei Gestori dei Rifugi di Lom- bardia (association of mountain refuge managers in Lombardy) and is updated to April 2011 The routes on Mortirolo, Monte Maddalena and the Altopiano di Cariadeghe were suggested by the Lega Montagna UISP (the mountain branch of the Italian Union of Sport for all) Brescian Trails Translation: Augustina Kymmel - Susan Richards Brescian Trails Brescian Trails 3 Introduction Before starting our walk, let us ments though are strangers to human na- • The altitudes are taken from IGM Trail ratings think about safety. ture, can be bought, and on these we often (Italian Military Geographical Institute) T Easy and short We all have walked through road rely our personal safety on. cartography and are always indicated E Easy crossings with streetlights. The first basic in meters (m) above mean sea level EE Only for expert hikers information we get before crossing comes When the Tuareg crosses the desert (msl). EEA Requires adequate Mountaineering from these streetlights. with its convoy, he doesn’t scroll through • The directions generally refer to the training or the assistance of an If we cross with green, the level of our his manual on desert storms or survival in route you are traveling, but geo- alpine guide safety is proportional to the respect the the Sahara. The culture in which he was graphical orientation is also provided drivers give to their street light, which will raised will be his safety. A culture that was (N = north, E = east, S = south, W = Backpack probably be red. strongly influenced by the environment. west). The size and contents of your backpack If we cross with green we have a certain This is the reason why hiking through • Information on the Mountain Refuges is depend on the hike you plan to make. level of security, which we will increase by the Mountains is more of a cultural than provided by the Associazione Rifugisti The size is expressed in liters or cubic looking up and around before crossing. a physical act. Like it is to cross seas, della Lombardia (Lombardy Mountain inches: backpacks of from 20 to 35 liters That it would be safer to give a “good look deserts or be elsewhere in nature. Refuge Operators Association). (3,100 to 5,425 cubic inches) are ideal for around” we have heard from our parents day trips that require the use of specialized and teachers since we where kids or by a Not to be in relation with the environ- Excursions should be made only in equipment. The most important feature of bad experience with a car breaking right ment increases the possibility of the un- good weather, especially at high Moun- a backpack is the quality and construc- in front of us. expected and of surprises. It reduces the tain altitudes (over 2,000 m msl). At these tion of the shoulder straps; their job is to Our “look around” has involved not only our creativity, which is the only feature that can altitudes, even during the summer a sud- spread most of the weight over the back sight, but also our ears to hear the noise of help you find the right solution, prevents den weather change can bring the tem- and shoulders. a car around the corner, our feet to check you from choosing the right technique (if perature down to near 0°C. In any case, out on steps or obstacles, our hands ready known) or combining different ones in new before leaving, it is best to check with the Clothing to rise in case of a surprise. creative ways. alpine guides (see useful phone numbers) Clothing and equipment form a pro- The streetlight gives us a good basis for or Refuge operators. The operators of the tective shell between our body and the our safety but if we want to further mini- To talk about safety in these terms is Garibaldi, Lissone, Tita Secchi, Alpini Cam- environment. A good rule to use is the lay- mize the risks we have to use other ex- more effective that to call on the famous povecchio, and Aviolo Refuges are alpine ering principle: you should wear thin lay- ternal and internal elements, that already “respect for the Mountain” or the contem- guides and during the summer they offer ers of clothing one over the other, adding exist in us, like our senses, our knowledge porary alter ego of “friendly Mountain”. hiking and introductory climbing courses. or removing them in case it gets hotter or and our experience. All this can be called The Mountain is the Mountain and to live colder. You should never forget to pack a “relation with the environment”. it we have to feel it. Get in touch with our- The trails described are generally wool or fleece pullover, a waterproof wind- To have a relation with the environment selves before getting technical helps eve- easy, unless otherwise noted. Remember breaker, a cap, a pair of wool or fleece means to potentate out safety to a maxi- ryone to live more safely. It helps to find that, the technical difficulty being equal, gloves, and a pair of long pants if you are mum, independently from our equipment, the right words and to dip into our bag- a 1h 30min-hike can be made by almost wearing short ones. Always recommended technical knowledge and physical prepa- gage of personal experiences without try- anyone, whereas a 4-hour trek requires are a flashlight, a canteen or thermos, a ration.