The Sentiero delle Orobie Orientali
In the Bergamo Orobie Alps, a hut-to-hut traverse links Alpine lakes and pastures roamed by chamois, just a stone's throw from Bergamo. A range close to the city yet surprisingly little walked.
Foto: autore sconosciuto (CC BY-SA 3.0) — Wikimedia Commons
A short distance from the plain and the city of Bergamo rises a chain of mountains that many know only by name: the Orobie Alps. And yet, climbing up high, you discover a world of Alpine lakes, pastures and ridges where chamois graze undisturbed and huts welcome those who walk far from the noise. The Sentiero delle Orobie Orientali is the traverse that crosses this side of the range, linking a series of huts in a high-altitude route that, despite being so close to a large city, stays surprisingly peaceful and is walked mostly by enthusiasts from the area.
The route
The itinerary runs through the eastern part of the Bergamo Orobie, above the Seriana and Brembana valleys, and ties together several historic huts of the Italian Alpine Club. Along the way you reach huts such as the Coca, the Curò, the Brunone, the Calvi and others, each a base for breaking the traverse into stages. Between them you cross saddles and skirt high-altitude bodies of water, some natural and some tied to the hydroelectric reservoirs that have shaped these mountains for over a century, like the great Lago del Barbellino. The eye is drawn toward the highest peaks of the group, and on clear days the landscape opens into a succession of valleys, walls and pastures. Chamois are frequent sights, especially early in the morning and in the quietest hours, and with a little attention you can also spot marmots and birds of prey.
The commitment
From a hiking standpoint it is a demanding route, to be tackled over several days and with good fitness. You stay high for a long time, the daily elevation gains are considerable and some passages over rocky or exposed terrain require care and a sure foot; on certain stretches cables or chains help. This is not a simple stroll between huts, but a real Alpine traverse that must be prepared for. The waymarking is maintained by the CAI, but high-altitude conditions change fast and in the higher basins snow can linger long. It is essential to check with the hut keepers, book your beds and set off with clothing and gear suited to the high mountains.
When to go
The right window is confined to summer, July and August, when the huts are open and staffed and the high trails are generally free of snow. Even though these are the busiest mountain months of all, the Eastern Orobie remain far less walked than the Dolomites or the great Alpine destinations: those seeking silence and wild surroundings a short distance from the plain find exactly that here. You may walk for hours crossing paths with very few people, the huts standing like islands of human warmth in a world of rock and water. Outside this summer window the high altitudes require mountaineering experience and the huts are closed, so it is best to focus on the peak months.
Closeness and isolation
What strikes you about the Orobie is precisely the contrast between closeness and isolation. From the Bergamo plain, on a clear day, you can see these ridges, and yet few of those who look at them know what they hide: a chain of huts, rich wildlife and a web of trails that lets you walk for days without ever repeating yourself. The presence of the hydroelectric reservoirs also tells a piece of Italian industrial history, with dams and artificial lakes built among the rocks in the early twentieth century, today perfectly blended into the landscape. It is a mountain of labour and nature together, deeply bound to the valleys that surround it.
A practical tip: plan your stages around the huts' opening dates and always book, because places are limited and fill up on weekends. Set off early each morning to avoid the afternoon storms typical of summer days in the mountains, and keep an eye on the forecast day by day. Bring sturdy boots, layered clothing and protection from the cold, because even in August temperatures at altitude can drop sharply. And allow yourself a few minutes of silence on the shore of a lake at dawn: that is the moment when these mountains, so close and yet so little known, give their very best.
Practical guides for Bergamo
Practical info
When is the best time to visit The Sentiero delle Orobie Orientali?
The recommended time is July and August, when it is less crowded.
Where is The Sentiero delle Orobie Orientali?
The Sentiero delle Orobie Orientali is located in Bergamo Orobie Alps, Lombardy.
