The Val Bregaglia, known in German as Bergell, is one of the most spectacular valleys in the Alps. It is not a valley like any other; it is a dramatic staircase plunging from the high alpine summit of the Maloja Pass (1,815 m) down to the Italian border at Castasegna and on towards Chiavenna. Those who travel through the Bergell experience an abrupt change in climate and a diversity of landscapes that is unparalleled.




The Via Panoramica: Hiking on the sunny side
To truly grasp the soul of the valley, there's no way around the Via Panoramica Val Bregaglia. This legendary high-altitude hike is a must for nature lovers and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the Bergell Valley from its unique perspective.

• From Casaccia to Soglio: The classic section begins in the historic village of Casaccia. From here, the path winds along the right side of the valley, high above the valley floor.

• The panorama: As you hike through light larch forests and over quaint bridges, you have a constant view of the gigantic north faces of the Bondasca Group (with Piz Badile and the Sciora Group). It's a front-row seat to the "granite giants".

 

 

 

​​Soglio: The “threshold to paradise” of one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland​​​

After about 3 1/2 hours on the Via Panoramica, you reach the destination that already enchanted the painter Giovanni Segantini: Soglio. The village sits enthroned on a terrace and is often considered the most beautiful village in Switzerland.

“Soglio is the threshold to paradise,” says Segantini. Anyone strolling through the narrow, granite-paved streets immediately understands why.

 

The Lower Bergell: Chestnut magic and a mild climate

From Soglio, the path leads further down into the mild microclimate of the lower valley. The deeper you go, the stronger the Italian influence becomes.

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• Castasegna & the Brentan: In Castasegna you will find one of the largest cultivated chestnut forests in Europe. The huge, gnarled sweet chestnut trees form a park-like landscape that glows golden, especially in autumn.

• Flora like at Lake Como: It's fascinating: Just a few kilometers from the glaciers, palm trees, camellias and southern scents suddenly thrive here, scents one would expect to find at Lake Como.

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