Pre-Alpine Paths to Bergamo – Independent
SAVE £125 per person on Independent Footloose itineraries of 7 days or more
(This will be deducted on receipt of your booking. Excludes customised itineraries)
Traverse the Bergamo Pre-Alps, walking an ancient network of cobbled mule paths known as the Via Mercatorum and the Via Priula.
These impressive trading routes, established by the Venetians in the 15th and 16th centuries, lead through spectacular mountain scenery: bubbling mountain streams, peaceful forests and alpine meadows with a superb display of alpine flowers in the spring, all surrounded by peaks rising above 1,000 metres.
Set against this beautiful backdrop are a succession of historic towns and villages, remote settlements that were all enriched by the trade that once passed through.
Duration: 5 or 8 days
Itinerary
Relax at your spa hotel in this modern mountain resort surrounded by1000-metre peaks. Optional circular walk to the top of Monte Purito (2.5 miles, 1.5 hours).
A ski resort in winter and mountain getaway in the summer with several good restaurants serving northern Italian fare. Worth visiting is the Sanctuary of the Madonna, one of the region’s oldest churches.
Quiet and elevated position with stunning views, in central location
Woodland paths and the cobbled Via Mercatorum lead over two ridges, passing ancient hamlets, rocks and ferns to medieval Serina, birthplace of Venetian Renaissance artist, Palma Vecchio (10.2 or 7.3 miles, 6-6.5 or 4.5 hours).
A mountain village which grew up on the Via Mercatorum (a medieval trading route) and flourished through the trading of wool and woollen goods. Today it is a centre for mountain tourism, as well as for truffle, chestnut and mushroom hunting in the nearby woods, but the historic buildings point to its important trading past.
Friendly, family-run hotel with excellent location
The old merchants’ route crosses a mountain pass to panoramic, frescoed Dossena. Paths lead to mines mapped by Leonardo da Vinci, now used to mature local cheese, before descending to the River Brembo and arcaded Cornello, voted one of Italy’s most beautiful villages (7.2 miles, 4.5 hours).
Dossena is a spectacularly situated small village, widely considered the oldest settlement in the area, with a mineral-mining tradition that is believed to have begun in pre-Roman times and continued until 1981!
Cornello dei Tasso was once a major crossroads. From the late 16th century it was bypassed by the new trade route along the valley floor. So the village’s medieval arcaded streets and market have been perfectly preserved for us to see today.
Friendly, family-run guesthouse with wonderful garden
Quite lanes, stone steps and a cycle path lead through the arched streets of Oneta, then San Giovanni Bianco with its Holy Thorn, before paths climb a small ridge with views to San Pellegrino. Free afternoon in this famous spa town with its Art Nouveau Casino and Grand Hotel, now being restored (5.6 miles, 3 hours).
Situated on the Brembo River, this attractive small town is renowned in equal measure for its historic spa facilities, Art Nouveau buildings, decorative art and, of course, its bottled water!
Conveniently located in the heart of San Pellegrino, surrounded by nature
A cable car takes you to the start of an exhilarating climb on good paths through woods to alpine meadows, before a steep descent. Or, follow level lanes and tracks past churches, villages and farms. Routes meet in Zogno, before following the river on foot or by bike to Clanezzo (high route: 13.9 miles, 8+ hours; low route: 10.6 miles, 6 hours).
Situated at the confluence of the Brembo and Imagna rivers, Clanezzo was a historic bridging point, port and customs post, particularly renowned now for its bridges: one, a delicate stone bridge, built over 1,000 years ago, which spans the River Imagna; the other a swaying, suspended footbridge, constructed in 1878 for factory workers to cross the Brembo to the new industrial zone on its other bank.
Friendly, family-run guesthouse with outdoor heated swimming pool
Minor lanes pass old Clanezzo port. An optional loop leads to three Romanesque churches before rejoining the trail along a former railway line up to a spectacularly situated sanctuary church. Leafy paths with views then descend to Bergamo Alta (11.6 or 8.6 miles, 6 or 4.5 hours).
The sights to see in this beautiful city are numerous: mighty Venetian walls, Piazza Vecchia (built on the site of the former Roman forum), a resplendent Basilica, world-class Art Museum and many fountains, fed by an innovative Roman water distribution system.
In the heart of the historic centre, a family run guesthouse
Dating back to the 6th Century, an elegant hotel with stunning views
Visit this hilltop, medieval citadel, with its elegant eateries, UNESCO World Heritage Venetian walls, Piazza Vecchia, Santa Maria Maggiore church, where composer Donizetti is buried, and exceptional art museum (Titian, Bellini, Canaletto, Raphael).
In the heart of the historic centre, a family run guesthouse
Dating back to the 6th Century, an elegant hotel with stunning views
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Moderate to challenging and there are some sustained climbs and descents. On some days there is the option to walk easier routes. The length of each day varies from 1.5hours to an optional maximum of 8 hours. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.
Terrain: The terrain is a varied mixture of earthen and stony mountain paths, woodland and valley tracks, surfaced lane and cycle path. In places the paths may be steep, rough or slippery – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient foot/ankle support. There are no vertiginous sections.
All ATG trips include facilities and options so that you can arrange to walk as much or as little as you like – or not at all - and your Route Manager will be able to advise you on public transport or taxi options.
Trip Options & Prices
Overview
This 5 day independent walking tour in northern Italy starts in the mountain resort of Selvino and includes 3 days of walking for those looking for a dedicated walking trip. Enjoy a short break, with quick access by cable car, and traverse the pre-Alpine hills ending in the famous spa town of San Pellegrino.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Selvino
Day 2: Selvino to Serina
Day 3: Serina to Cornello dei Tasso
Day 4: Cornello dei Tasso to San Pellegrino
Day 5: Departure
Prices (per person)
Overview
This 8 day independent walking tour in in northern Italy is a more in-depth visit of the area. After following the 5 day itinerary, you continue to Bergamo with 2 more days walking. Enjoy a longer trip to Italy with excellent walking and the opportunity to explore the delights of Bergamo Alta and its Venetian Unesco listed walls.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Selvino
Day 2: Selvino to Serina
Day 3: Serina to Cornello dei Tasso
Day 4: Cornello dei Tasso to San Pellegrino
Day 5: San Pellegrino to Clanezzo
Day 6: Clanezzo to Bergamo Alta*
Day 7: Bergamo Alta* - free day
Day 8: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes an upgrade in Bergamo Alta
Prices (per person)
Our Independent Footloose itineraries have the flexibility to be customised if you would like to spend more time in any of the places en route; perhaps to incorporate some of the add-ons available locally or just to create a more relaxed pace to your holiday.
If you wish to build your own itinerary please complete our customise form and our Sales team will provide you with a bespoke quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
On each route there is an ATG Route Manager, who is there to take care of all the practicalities and ensure the success of your trip. Route Managers have all been ATG-trained, speak English and the language of the country fluently, and live in the local area. Your Route Manager will make contact with you a couple of weeks prior to departure (usually by email) and will then meet you at the start of your trip and will be available during your trip to move your luggage from hotel to hotel, provide local information, make restaurant reservations and do everything possible to ensure that you derive maximum enjoyment from your holiday.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that our Route Manager can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our trips and the Route Manager can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.
The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.
Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.
Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour. These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.
Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.
Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours. These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.
If you are planning to take an Independent trip as a single traveller, we would ask you to consider the potential dangers of walking alone before making a booking and if necessary discuss this with our Sales team.
Single travellers will be booked into a double room which will carry a single occupancy supplement.
Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently.
The trips in our Independent programme make ideal family holidays for those with children who are old enough (and keen enough!) to enjoy a walking holiday or young enough to be carried in a backpack.
You would need to consider costs for lunches (either a picnic style lunch or lunch in a café as you prefer) and evening meals. Where an evening meal is included at a hotel this is indicated on the trip page. For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. You would also need to factor in any entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs, items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to not to walk on some days.
Tourist Tax
This tax is charged per guest per night and the rate is determined by the local council based on the star rating of the accommodation. The rate usually varies from €2 up to €5 per person per night, although the rate can be higher in major cities. This tax is not included in the price of your holiday but where applicable will be payable direct to your hotel in cash.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:
Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters
Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.
Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.
Sustainability
ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.
Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.
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