Discover Gordona: Crotti, history and mountain scenery

If you’re looking for a hotel in Gordona, it helps to consider which aspects of the place you want to shape your trip: historic buildings, the crotti and local cuisine, or activities in Val Bodengo and along the paths to the mountain pastures. Gordona brings these themes together, but there are many different reasons to explore the town and its surroundings. You can therefore choose your destination based on whether you’re more interested in history, food culture, scenery or outdoor activities.

Scenery and Crotti

Lago della Piodella lies at the head of Val Pilotera, near the mountain pasture of the same name. At an altitude of over 2,000 metres, it is an exceptional viewpoint and offers a touch of high-alpine scenery. The crotti show another side of the local landscape: the crotti of Gordona line two almost parallel streets connected by stairways. Traditionally, they were used to store wine, cheese and other food. The Crotti di Bodengo lie at an altitude of 1,030 metres and are considered the highest crotti in Valchiavenna. These are two distinct crotti locations: one stands out for its layout within the town, the other for its elevation.

History and buildings

The Torre di Segname probably dates from the 9th or 10th century. It is the only one of the many signal towers in Valchiavenna to have remained practically intact since the 9th century. It was first mentioned in 1213, in a dispute between the Bishop of Como and the community of Chiavenna over rights to the Torre di Gordona. The different dates give the tower a historical context without presenting its probable dating as a definite year.

Other buildings also connect specific dates with their own histories. In the mountain settlement of Cima, a round church dating from 1882 and a bell tower built later, in 1935, shape the townscape. The Chiesa di San Martino contains a baptismal chapel, three confessionals and an organ loft created by Giovanni Albiolo of Bellagio in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Chiesa di Santa Caterina can be reached via impressive Stations of the Cross dating from the 18th century. The history of Ponte Boggia spans several stages: it was rebuilt in 1766, once crossed a waterfall formed by the stream of the same name, and was destroyed by a flood in 1983. It was subsequently rebuilt with a concrete deck.

The Pont secret features a distinctive construction: it is made of metal cables and wooden planks and was built using a special technique. It is probably unique in Valchiavenna. The monolithic blocks known as I büi di Menarola, carved by hand, are a reminder of the industry and craftsmanship of past generations.

Füghiascia and festivals

Füghiascia is considered a typical dish of Gordona. Originally, it was made with flour, water, salt and cold polenta. The Festa della Füghiascia was established in 1985 and takes place in May. At the festival, the focaccia is kneaded, baked and served on site according to a codified, standardised recipe. The dish and its preparation give the town a culinary focus distinct from its historic buildings and outdoor activities.

Another festival date is the Festa di San Bernardo, held on the penultimate weekend in August. It takes place at the Crotti di Bodengo, beyond the bridge over the Boggia. For your planning, both the stated date and the festival location are relevant.

Trails and outdoor activities

Gordona’s historic mule track was built in the first decades of the 20th century so that residents could reach the mountain pastures with their families, loads and livestock. There are two described ways to reach Alpe Cima: an easy path from the Menarola side or a steep ridge path from Cermine. The different route descriptions make clear that these two approaches do not follow the same route.

The Sentiero dei crotti connects Cama in the Swiss canton of Graubünden with Gordona and opened in 2005. For cyclists, the Gordona–Donadivo route is described with specific details: it is 4 kilometres long, has an elevation gain of 470 metres, and can be ridden on a mountain bike or a regular bicycle. Those interested in climbing will find the Placche del Boggia climbing area in Val Bodengo, also known as Paradis di Can.

Canyoning trips in Val Bodengo pass through emerald-green pools, natural slides and waterfalls, and require ropes or special techniques. Certified mountain guides with canyoning training lead the trips. The Val Bodengo 2 canyoning trip is considered challenging and is classified as intermediate difficulty. It lasts 3.5 to 4 hours and requires previous experience. These details help you distinguish this trip from the other activities mentioned.

Getting there and planning your trip

For the Donadivo–Cermine–Alpe Cima hike, Gordona can be reached by STPS bus from Chiavenna. Once in Gordona, you can also drive to Donadivo, provided you have obtained a permit in advance. If you choose Gordona as your destination, you can plan your trip around the themes that interest you most: the crotti and Füghiascia, the historic buildings or one of the activities described.

Discover more destinations: Samolaco, Cataeggio, Chiuro, Delebio, Prata Camportaccio, Chiareggio, Tresenda, Pedenosso Valdidentro

For the overview of the wider area: Sondrio.