Holiday apartment in Menarola: paths, mountain views and living traditions

Menarola is located on a slope of the Lepontine Alps that is inhabited by several hamlets. Numerous paths cross the landscape, some of them as old as the settlements themselves. This creates a destination where mountain views, hikes and local traditions are closely connected with the history of the place. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Menarola, you can plan your stay around these different experiences.

Alpine pastures, old paths and expansive mountain views

The paths of Menarola are maintained to connect the hamlets with one another and ensure access to the alpine pastures. The road to Menarola reaches an altitude of 1,330 metres, thereby facilitating access to higher areas with panoramic views. A striking example is the Trecciolino: a broad, well-maintained old path at just over 1,000 metres above sea level.

At Voga, the view opens across the Chiavenna plain to Lake Novate Mezzola, Pizzo di Prata and the peaks of Val Bregaglia. From the meadows of Alpe Cima, the view extends to the peaks of Val Codera, Pizzone di Prata and onward to Bregaglia. There, the five peaks of the Sciora group are framed by Cengalo and Badile.

Hikes with different focuses

The Voga route passes through Menarola’s scattered settlement structure and reaches the hamlet of Voga. It comprises 29 hairpin bends in total: 25 to Voga and four on the final section. To reach the Trecciolino, drive along the road from Menarola via Voga and continue towards the Maggenghi. At a no-vehicles sign, an unpaved path leads left to the car park.

The hike from Voga to Alpe Buglio and Bivacco Forcola begins in Voga and climbs via Alpe Dardano and Alpe Buglio. A turn-off from Alpe Buglio leads to Alpe Forcola, with its namesake bivouac. It is possible to return to Dardano and Voga via Alpe Cima. Those looking for a more challenging ascent can take the old path to Passo della Forcola.

Another route runs from Donadivo via Cermine to Alpe Cima. It begins in Donadivo on a stone path that leads into the forest. From Alpe Orlo onward, it follows an old pack-animal trail that once connected the alpine pastures with the valley and the inhabited centres. The destination is Alpe Cima, with its characteristic white chapel on a circular ground plan.

Craftsmanship and traditional customs

The special local history includes the büi di Menarola: monolithic blocks hollowed out by hand, recalling the industriousness and craftsmanship of the ancestors. The Baütta is also present in Menarola. It is an old ceremony that has been preserved here in a developed form featuring many figures.

Historic paths also tell of former uses of the mountain landscape. The route over Passo della Forcola was once used by mule caravans travelling between Valchiavenna and Valle Mesolcina. The higher and more remote paths around Menarola were later used for smuggling between Italy and Switzerland. There is also a children’s playground in the Crotti al Foppo area.

More places for planning your trip: Fenile, Borgonuovo, Sernio, Valfurva, Traona, Ardenno, Valdidentro, Chiavenna

To the higher-level travel overview: Sondrio.