Via Bregaglia - Hiking in Swiss and Italian Alps
Via Bregaglia - Hiking in Swiss and Italian Alps
Via Bregaglia - Hiking in Swiss and Italian Alps
5 Days Starting in Maloja, 7516 Bregaglia, Switzerland and ending in 23022 Chiavenna, Province of Sondrio, Italy
Visiting: Maloja, Vicosoprano, Soglio, Chiavenna
Tour operator:
Tour code:
760
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
A five day, self-guided walking holiday along the Via Bregaglia, an idyllic Alpine valley that takes you from Switzerland into Italy. Starting in Maloja, located at the western end of Lake Sils at an elevation of 1,800m, spend three days hiking along ancient Roman roads, through chestnut forests and into some of the Bregaglia Valley’s prettiest villages, such as Vicosoprano and Castasegna. Celebrate crossing the border at Chiavenna, a handsome mountain town in Lombardy, divided by the River Mera, with plenty of fine restaurants to mark the finale of this short but sublime walking holiday
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Maloja
Location: Maloja
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Schweizerhaus, Longhin, Maloja Kulm or similar in Maloja
Meals Included: No Meals
Maloja lies at the western end of Lake Sils, connecting the Upper Engadine Lake District and the Bergell Valley. If you have time, it’s worth walking to the Belvedere Tower overlooking Maloja for superb views. A visit to the glacial potholes, Marmitte dei giganti, an extraordinary geological phenomenon, is also highly recommended.
Day 2 : Maloja - Vicosoprano | 11.3Km
Location: Maloja, Vicosoprano
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Piz Cam, Pranzaira or similar in Vicosoprano
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
The route between Maloja and Casaccia takes you along the remains of an ancient Roman road. Walk past the church ruins of San Gaudenzio on the right side of the valley and on to Casaccia and, finally to Vicosoprano which was once was the historic main town of the valley. Places of interest in the village are the church of San Cassiano built around the year 1000, the early Baroque Santa Trinità church, The Praetorium or former town hall with torture chamber no less, and the old bridge over the River Maira. On the way out of the village, heading in the direction of Borgonovo, you can see the pillars of the former gallows.
Walking from Maloja – Vicosoprano: 11.3km, 3h 20mins ↑55m ↓798m
Day 3 : Vicosoprano - Soglio | 9.1Km
Location: Vicosoprano, Soglio
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Stüa Granda or similar in Soglio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today a hike bursting with both natural and cultural heritage awaits. Borgonovo is the birthplace of the world renowned sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti. The Ciása Granda Valley Museum with the dedicated Sala Giacometti-Varlin is a must visit in Stampa and, in Coltura a visit to Palazzo Castelmur is recommended. Today you also get to walk along a path with breathtaking views of the Sciora Massif and Pizzo Badile that takes you up to Soglio.
Walking for the day: 9.1km, 3h ↑449m ↓486m
Day 4 : Soglio - Chiavenna | 15.7Km
Location: Soglio, Chiavenna
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Crimea or similar in Chiavenna
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
The first part of the hike leads through the chestnut forest just below Soglio (Plazza and Brentan) with its beautiful old trees. One of the largest cultivated chestnut groves in Europe, the trees are still perfectly maintained by local people and the annual chestnut festival, or Festival della Castagna, takes place in autumn. Castasegna is also the last village on Swiss soil. Today’s hike ends in Chiavenna in Italy, a flourishing tourist and cultural town with an exceptionally well-preserved historical city centre.
Walking for the day: 15.7km, 5h 15mins ↑475m ↓1244m
Day 5 : Departure
Location: Chiavenna
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and departure. Consider booking an extra night in Chiavenna to visit its museums, Acquafraggia waterfalls in Borgonuovo di Piuro, Paradiso Botanical Gardens, Palazzo Vertemate in Prosto di Piuro or take a short trip (30mins by train) to Colico village, located on Lake Como, where the the River Adda enters the lake.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 overnight accommodation as detailed in the itinerary
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Meals
4 breakfasts 3 packed lunches on walking days (sandwich, fruit, chocolate bar and water)
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Luggage transfer when changing hotels (one piece of luggage per person, max 15kg)
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Detailed route notes (One per room) deposited at the first accommodation, including information material, trekking map
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Entry to Paradiso Botanical Gardens, Chiavenna and Palazzo Vertemate in Piuro
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24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
What's Not Included
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Airfare and connecting land transfers
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Dinners, drinks and snacks
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Travel insurance
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Personal expenses
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Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
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Any items not explicitly listed as included
Check out our Q&As
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
This will be provided on all documentation
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own. This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
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When to go?
This trip is available from mid-June until mid-October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season. Getting there FCO up-to-date travel advice on Switzerland and Italy.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All guides are English Speaking
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, international flights are not included
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Difficulty and terrain
Surefootedness is needed for these Alpine hiking trails. Each day the hikes are pretty long, with some steeper parts and so you need to be in good physical health and fit. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. Your holiday information pack will include more detailed information on route navigation.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes we can, please contact us for details
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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