Discover Madesimo: Holiday Apartment for Skiing, Nature and Culture

Madesimo combines alpine landscapes, winter sports and regional culture with waterside paths and distinctive culinary traditions. A holiday apartment in Madesimo can serve as accommodation for very different kinds of holiday: from a day of skiing without a ski bus to an easy walk, a visit to historic churches or an exploration of the rural architecture in the mountain pastures.

Churches and mountain pastures with their own character

The Church of San Martino e San Giorgio has a marble altar by Gabriele Longhi. The parish church of Madonna della Neve was built on the ruins of an earlier church. In Madesimo’s mountain pastures, you will also encounter houses featuring traditional rural architecture, constructed half from stone and half from tree trunks. These three facets give the village a range of cultural points of interest when you want to alternate between active days and more leisurely discoveries.

Waterways and alpine landscapes

The Cascata di Pianazzo plunges 180 metres into the depths. The route there is approximately 1.3 kilometres long, designated for pedestrians and bicycles, and has 150 metres of positive elevation gain. For an easier outing, the Passeggiata lungo il fiume is a good option: the path, reserved exclusively for pedestrians, is 2.4 kilometres long, easy, and runs from the centre of Madesimo to the valley floor along the Torrente Scalcoggia.

The first section of this Passeggiata, as far as the village of Dogana Vegia, is paved, suitable for pushchairs and illuminated at night. The small Diga di Madesimo, a dam used for hydroelectric purposes, is also located in the town centre. A walking path suitable for everyone and illuminated at night allows you to view it up close. Above Madesimo, the Giardino Alpino Valcava extends across 70,000 square metres at an altitude of between 1,800 and 1,900 metres. You can reach it from Madesimo by car or on foot.

Skiing and other sporting experiences

The Ski Area Valchiavenna in Madesimo has 11 lifts and 34 ski runs. It stretches for 40 kilometres from the edge of the village to Pizzo Groppera and Alpe Motta. The ski area can be reached from Madesimo without a ski bus, as the lifts, including a gondola and chairlifts, start in the village. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore pay particular attention to whether your holiday focus is on winter sports or on a varied mix of mountain activities and exploring the village.

On the Torrente Scalcoggia, catch-and-release fly fishing is possible in the first section from the valley floor; free fishing is permitted in the second section. The Centro sportivo di Madesimo also includes a fitness room with treadmills and TechnoGym equipment, as well as a squash court.

Pizzoccheri and practical information

The annual Pizzoccherata in Piazza brings a regional speciality to the table: pizzoccheri from Valchiavenna are served, prepared with white flour and stale bread, as well as potatoes, sage, garlic, young alpine cheese and plenty of melted butter. To help plan further excursions, the Infopoint Madesimo provides maps and public transport timetables and offers advice on trekking, mountain bike routes, skiing and snowshoe hikes in winter.

Other places you may wish to consider when planning your trip include Consiglio, Regoledo, Cedrasco, Maroggia, Trepalle, Sernio, Tirano and Piateda.

For the overarching travel overview: Sondrio.