Madesimo: skiing and alpine excursions

Ski area: The Ski Area Valchiavenna in Madesimo has 11 lifts and 34 ski runs.

Extent: The ski area stretches for 40 kilometres from the edge of the town to Pizzo Groppera and Alpe Motta.

Access in the town: The lifts, including a cable car and chairlifts, start from the town; the ski area can be reached from Madesimo without a ski bus.

Walking trail: The Passeggiata lungo il fiume is an easy, pedestrian-only trail extending for 2.4 kilometres from the centre to the valley floor along the Torrente Scalcoggia.

With a stroller: The first section of the Passeggiata to the hamlet of Dogana Vegia is paved, suitable for strollers and illuminated at night.

Cascata di Pianazzo: The trail there is approximately 1.3 kilometres long, intended for pedestrians and bicycles, and has 150 metres of positive elevation gain.

Alpine landscape: The Giardino Alpino Valcava above Madesimo covers 70,000 square metres and lies at an altitude of 1,800 to 1,900 metres.

Skiing directly from the town

For a winter day on the slopes, the local starting point is clearly defined: the lifts begin in Madesimo, so you can reach the ski area without a ski bus. The infrastructure includes a cable car and chairlifts. The Ski Area Valchiavenna offers 34 ski runs and extends for 40 kilometres from the edge of the town to Pizzo Groppera and Alpe Motta.

Trails, water and nature

Away from the slopes, the Passeggiata lungo il fiume runs from the centre of Madesimo to the valley floor along the Torrente Scalcoggia. The easy trail is intended exclusively for pedestrians. Its first section to Dogana Vegia is paved, illuminated at night and suitable for strollers. For a shorter excursion by bicycle or on foot, the approximately 1.3-kilometre trail to the Cascata di Pianazzo is a good option; it includes 150 metres of positive elevation gain. The Cascata di Pianazzo itself has a drop of 180 metres.

The Giardino Alpino Valcava lies above Madesimo at an altitude of 1,800 to 1,900 metres and covers 70,000 square metres. It can be reached from Madesimo by car or on foot. Another distinctive feature in the town centre is the small Diga di Madesimo: The dam serves hydroelectric purposes and can be viewed up close via a walking trail suitable for everyone and illuminated at night.

Townscape and regional cuisine

The local history includes two churches with different architectural backgrounds. The Church of San Martino e San Giorgio has a marble altar by Gabriele Longhi. The parish church of Madonna della Neve was built on the ruins of an earlier church. The alpine pastures around Madesimo also feature rural architecture, with houses traditionally built half of stone and half of logs.

A culinary connection to the region is represented by the annual Pizzoccherata in Piazza. Pizzoccheri from Valchiavenna are served there. The dish is prepared with white flour and stale bread and complemented with potatoes, sage, garlic, young alpine cheese and plenty of melted butter.

Further activities and practical information

Different fishing options apply along the Torrente Scalcoggia depending on the section: In the first section from the valley floor, fly-fishing without taking the fish is permitted; in the second section, fishing is unrestricted. For exercise independent of skiing, the Centro sportivo di Madesimo includes a gym with treadmills and TechnoGym equipment, as well as a squash court.

The Infopoint Madesimo provides maps and public transport timetables. It also offers advice on trekking, mountain bike routes, skiing and snowshoe hikes in winter. This gives you information on site both for your day of skiing and for trails and activities away from the slopes.

More destinations for planning your trip: Bianzone, San Carlo, Pedenosso Valdidentro, Valdisotto, Trepalle, Rasura, Torre Di Santa Maria

For the main travel overview: Sondrio.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Skiing holiday in Madesimo | Ski holiday information.