Menarola: Culture and Historic Trails

Get to know Menarola through its culture and the trails along the mountainside. Among its defining features are the hand-carved Büi, the ancient Baütta ceremony and routes to viewpoints and mountain pastures. These differences can also help you choose a destination: they show whether you are more interested in local traditions, historic trails or mountain landscapes. The road to Menarola climbs to an elevation of 1,330 metres, making it easier to reach higher, scenic areas.

Culture and the History of the Trails

The Büi di Menarola are monolithic blocks hollowed out by hand. They are a reminder of the hard work and craftsmanship of earlier generations. Another local feature is the Baütta: this ancient ceremony has been preserved in Menarola in an elaborate form featuring many figures.

The trails also tell the story of former connections. Mule caravans once travelled over the Passo della Forcola between Valchiavenna and Valle Mesolcina. Later, the higher, more remote trails around Menarola were used for smuggling between Italy and Switzerland. These uses differ, but both are part of the history of the village’s mountain trails.

Mountain Slopes and Viewpoints

The slope of the Lepontine Alps, where Menarola’s hamlets are scattered, is criss-crossed by numerous trails, some as old as the settlements themselves. From Voga, the view stretches across the Chiavenna plain to Lago di Novate Mezzola, Pizzo di Prata and the peaks of Val Bregaglia. From the meadows of Alpe Cima, you can see the peaks of Val Codera and Pizzone di Prata. Further towards Bregaglia, Cengalo and Badile frame the five peaks of the Sciora group. These viewpoints offer different panoramas: from Voga, the view takes in the plain, the lake and the peaks; from Alpe Cima, the surrounding mountain groups.

The Voga route passes through Menarola’s scattered settlements to the hamlet of Voga. It has 29 hairpin bends in total: 25 to Voga and four on the final section. There is a children’s playground in the Crotti al Foppo area.

Hikes and Their Routes

The Voga–Alpe Buglio–Bivacco Forcola hike starts in the hamlet of Voga and climbs via Alpe Dardano to Alpe Buglio. From there, a turn-off leads to Alpe Forcola, where the eponymous bivouac is located. One possible return route goes via Alpe Cima to Dardano and Voga.

Another hike starts at Donadivo: the Donadivo–Cermine–Alpe Cima route follows a stone path into the forest. From Alpe Orlo, it follows an old mule track that once connected the mountain pastures with the valley and its inhabited centres. Alpe Cima is distinguished by a characteristic white chapel with a circular floor plan. The old trail to Passo della Forcola offers a more challenging climb.

The Trecciolino is a wide, well-maintained old trail at just over 1,000 metres above sea level. To reach it, drive from Menarola along the road beyond Voga towards Maggenghi. At a no-vehicles sign, an unpaved road on the left leads to the parking area. Check the local access information before setting off. Menarola’s trails are maintained to connect the hamlets and provide access to the mountain pastures. Trail conditions may change on individual routes; take this into account when planning.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Valdidentro, Prata Camportaccio, Tresenda, Pianazzola, Valdisotto, Borgonuovo, Piateda, Castione Andevenno.

Go to the main travel overview: Sondrio.