Tirano - laghi di Schiazzera

The route starts from Tirano (430 meters) on the Rhaetian side, climbs the slopes of Mount Masuccio (2816 m.) and reaches the lakes of Schiazzera at an altitude of 2400 and then descends 2000 meters with (perhaps) the highest elevation gain on dirt/muletracks in Valtellina.

The trail retraces downhill the most beautiful sections of the "Schiazzera Grazy Down" by widening it and linking it with other trails . The route, thanks to its sunny exposure, can be hiked until late fall season or in winter up to snow elevation. Despite the considerable altitude and exposure the route even after heavy rains can be undertaken. Even the most technical sections (never extreme) can be tackled at the right speed while observing all the precautions that high mountains require.

From Tirano we go up the asphalt road, past Baruffini at an altitude of 1140 meters take the dirt road on the right with directions to Prafontana/ Rifugio Schiazzera. After a very long traverse that will take us northeast fording the Saiento Torrent (waterfall), at 1320 meters we reach the asphalt road that goes up to the Schiazzera refuge at 2100 meters (dirt sections).From the refuge the path narrows and, having crossed the plateau, we ascend along the obvious ridge that circumvents the eastern slope of Mount Masuccio streaked with countless rivulets that descend from the small alpine lakes above (kingdom of marmots).

We continue past the fork at 2176 meters to the right uphill along the Italia trail until we arrive at 2400 meters at Paghi di Schiazzera at the base of a rocky amphitheater (Masuccio-passo Portone-Pizzo Ometto). After a well-deserved rest in an enchanting, unspoiled environment, we face the long descent retracing on military road (Cadorna line) backwards to the junction at an altitude of 2176, continuing south bypassing Masuccio and slightly uphill to 2210 meters . From here the trail becomes narrower but flowing (pine elevation). Descending with countless hairpin bends to 1200 meters also changes the vegetation and bottom continuing on mule track to Tirano again passing through vineyards .

For more info see videos of ascent and descent: