Costa Volpino: Trails along the Oglio, Panoramic Views and Historic Churches

Between the Oglio and Lake Iseo

A prominent landmark for cyclists and pedestrians is the Ponte della Pace. The combined cycle and pedestrian bridge spans the Oglio at the point where the river flows into Lake Iseo. It is located between the sports hall in the hamlet of Corti and the cemetery of Piano. The Parco avifaunistico dell’Oglio is also situated along the Oglio, a green area for relaxing walks and sporting activities.

A cycle path runs through the park, coming from the hamlet of Bersaglio and connecting to the Ciclovia dell’Oglio. This mostly flat cycle route runs north of the lake through Val Camonica as far as Capo di Ponte. Costa Volpino can be reached by the Bergamo–Boario bus route. Qualino can also be reached by bus: the hamlet lies on an extensive terrace, and its church of Sant’Ambrogio offers sweeping panoramic views over Lake Iseo and lower Valcamonica.

Hiking Routes and Circular Trails

The fourth stage of the Cammino di Carlo Magno passes through Corti and Volpino, two hamlets of Costa Volpino. It is 16.1 kilometres long and runs 40 percent on unpaved paths and 60 percent on paved paths and roads. For your planning, this results in a clearly mixed route profile with different types of surface.

Several other paths also link individual landscape areas. Tratta 13 of the Sentiero Alto crosses the Sentiero dei laghi basso. The Tour panoramico dell’alto lago leads from Corti to Lovere via Ceratello, the high plateau of Bossico and the Santuario di San Giovanni in Monte Cala. The Bossico–Ceratello route runs from the hamlet of Ceratello along an approximately two-kilometre-long, convenient and scenic agroforestry road to the high plateau of Bossico; the walking time is approximately one hour.

For mountain bikers, the Costa Volpino–Lago Moro MTB route is designed as a circular trail along gravel roads and forest paths. It leads to an alpine lake and then back down into the valley along a panoramic return route. Another hike leads from Costa Volpino to Rifugio Magnolini, first through the Valle di Supine and then along the mountain’s southwestern slopes.

Churches, Village Centres and History

Volpino preserves old houses with portals and arcades in the medieval style. The history of the hamlet includes a castle that was regarded as the most important 12th-century castle in Volpino and belonged to the Brusati family. Its destruction was decreed in a later peace treaty between Bergamo and Brescia; it took place in 1198. A church dedicated to Saint Stefano has been documented within the castle since 1132.

The Church of Santo Stefano dominates the summit of Volpino Hill. It can be reached either via a steep climb with a short flight of steps or via the narrower, more convenient Via Sabotino, which bypasses the centre. In Qualino, the Church of Sant’Ambrogio has its present appearance, shaped by extensions in the 17th century and in 1902. It stands on a partially preserved 15th-century structure; fragments of frescoes from this earlier building remain inside.

On the southern edge of Branico stands the Church of Santi Bartolomeo e Gottardo, overlooking the Oglio Valley. Inside, it preserves a 14th-century cycle of paintings. The Church of San Matteo in Flaccanico towers over the village, while its churchyard opens onto an impressive view. In Ceratello, the Church of San Giorgio Martire stands above the village on a hill where a castle presumably once stood. The grand staircase leading to the church was built between 1937 and 1939.

In the hamlet of Corti, the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate is a remarkable example of contemporary religious architecture. It replaces the former parish seat on the hill. Ceratello lies at an altitude of over 800 metres in a panoramic setting and is the highest historic village centre in the Costa.

Rifugio Magnolini

Rifugio M.O. Leonida Magnolini is located in the hamlet of Pian della Palù at an altitude of 1,610 metres, between the Clusone basin and Val Camonica. It was built by the Lovere section of the CAI and opened in 1948.

More Places to Compare

If you would like to consider more places in the same area when planning your trip, here you will find Valbondione, Villa Di Serio, Sorisole, Carona, Cene, Castione Della Presolana, Valtorta and Leffe.

For the broader travel overview: Bergamo.