The Pizzi loop

The proposed loop was born from the collaboration between the Sondrio section of the C.A.I. and the Scientific High School of Sondrio "Carlo Donegani" which led to the marking and enhancement of an interesting naturalistic-ethnographic route on the western gates of Valmalenco, in the municipality of Torre Santa Maria. The trail is dedicated to Nicola Ortelli, a cai member from Sondrio, actively involved in the association in many aspects, especially in the cai youth mountaineering section. The trail can be done in both directions with start and finish in the hamlet of Cagnoletti. It is one of the oldest settlements in the valley and in the upper part it preserves interesting agricultural structures and the lovely 16th-century Church of San Pietro. On the opposite side, there are small and scattered districts that rise on the slope of Monte Foppa: stone clusters now silent testimonies of a disappeared rural culture.

La Scala dei Pizzi represented the only connection between the ancient quadre of Torre and the valley. It was also used by shepherds as a mule track.

Pizzi has been inhabited since prehistoric times but began to take on the characteristics of a village with stable settlements around 1200 AD. The functions this small district assumed were mainly of defense due to the frequent raids once common in the valley floor.

Another interesting village encountered on this route is Prà Marsciana: a balcony over Valmalenco from which it is possible to admire Bernina and other peaks such as Roseg, Cresta Guzza, Scerscen and Argent. Finally, there is a beautiful view of Sondrio, Ponchiera and the Orobie.