773 - Via San Bernardino (4 tappe)

Our 5 highlights on Via San Bernardino:

• Museo Moesano: The Moesano Museum was opened in 1949 to collect, preserve and enhance assets of archaeological, historical and artistic interest related to the Mesolcina and Calanca valleys.
• Grotti di Cama: The area of the grottos, recently restored and located in a dense chestnut forest, includes about fifty grottos from past centuries. There are three grottos that are open to the public as restaurants.
• Soazza: Soazza is a jewel in the Misox with a wonderfully preserved village centre.
• Castello di Mesocco: The ruins of the castle of Mesocco are located on a mighty rock in the middle of the valley floor. As a result, the river Moesa is forced to make a wide loop in a deep gorge around it.
• San Bernardino: The village is located at the foot of the pass of the same name, at 1,626 m above sea level and is embedded in beautiful nature.

Known from prehistoric times, the San Bernardino Pass (until the 15th century Culmen de Oxello or in some sources also called Mons Avium) has made the Misox a typical passage valley.  The valley has been shaped by cultural influences from the north as well as from the south, is rich in historical and cultural witnesses, as well as natural treasures.

On the south side of the pass, the hiker walks along historic paths and overcomes a difference in altitude of almost 1800 m.  Especially from San Bernardino Villaggio you can observe picturesque sections of the old road, which have been artfully and sustainably restored in recent times.

On the valley floor, the route leads through vineyards and chestnut forests. The villages, perched on terraces or along the road, reveal to the walker monuments from different eras: Romanesque and Baroque churches, towers and castles, palazzi, agricultural buildings, archaeological sites, as well as interesting street details. The old buildings are mainly made of gneiss; the stone shapes the image of the valley. On the way from Mesocco to the pass, the hike leads along prehistoric paths. Also noteworthy are more recent works of human creation, such as the impressive viaducts of the national road below Pian San Giacomo.

For the hiker, an increasingly alpine world opens up with varied natural landscapes: mountain peaks, mountain lakes and moor meadows. From San Vittore you can reach the San Bernardino Hospice in four stages. The route is suitable for multi-day trekking as well as day hikes. Attractive offers in the cultural, agricultural and tourist areas make the hike an unforgettable experience.

ViaSanBernardino in four stages

Stage 1 San Vittore-Cama

From San Vittore, with the Carolingian church of San Lucio, you can walk to Roveredo on the left bank; The two villages, which gave birth to several architects who settled in Germany in the Baroque period, are rich in historical monuments (churches, towers, palaces). Continue towards Grono, a typical village along the road dominated by the harmonious Torre Fiorenzana, and continue towards Leggia and Cama. In addition to the ruins of Norantola Castle, in Cama we find the typical grottos; Here, as elsewhere, you can taste delicious local specialties such as wine, meats, and cheeses.

3h running time, 11.2 km, 97 m difference in altitude.

Stage 2 Cama-Soazza

The route winds through chestnut woods, meadows and floodplains: the villages of Sorte, Lostallo and Cabbiolo offer picturesque views and precious churches. You enter Soazza, placed in a panoramic position on a terrace, along sections of the old railway with viaducts and tunnels and a restored 18th century mule track.

3h45 running time, 14.3 km, 245 m elevation gain.

 Stage 3 Soazza-San Bernardino village

In the village of Soazza you can admire the harmonious urban structure, the Capuchin hospice, the church of San Martino as well as several buildings from the 19th century. An educational trail that starts from Soazza allows you to get to grips with the naturalistic, landscape and cultural aspects of the area, especially the chestnut culture. Our route continues towards the imposing ruins of the Castle of Mesocco, a Renaissance fortress demolished in the 16th century, and the church of Santa Maria del Castello, which houses an extraordinary cycle of frescoes dating back to the 15th century. Mesocco, which in the past has played an important role in the management of traffic through the S. Bernardino, has several interesting historical buildings; The first traces of human presence in the region date back to almost 10,000 years ago. In Mesocco, the purely alpine part of the journey begins: the path climbs steeply towards Pian San Giacomo, bypassing the old road routes several times. After Pian San Giacomo, the route winds almost entirely along the ancient mule track or the "French road", between woods and mountain pastures dominated by majestic peaks, to reach the enchanting basin of San Bernardino with the tourist village.

6h running time, 14.5 km, 1042 m difference in altitude.

Stage 4 San Bernardino Village - San Bernardino Pass

San Bernardino is the main tourist destination in Mesolcina, established in the 19th century for its healthy mountain climate and the healing properties of its mineral waters. The ecological peculiarities of the area, with its pine forests, peat bogs, lakes and various entertainment venues, make it the ideal destination for those seeking peace and nature. From the village, climb up to the pass (2065 m) where the hospice is located, built in 1824-25 on the shores of the lake from which the Moesa River originates. The trail crosses the superbly restored carriage road several times; the remains of the modernized 18th-century mule track are also clearly visible. From both streets you can admire the construction techniques and various artifacts. The territory of the pass, wide and flat, is characterized by rounded reliefs formed by glaciers that enclose numerous lakes and marshes of rare charm, the ideal habitat for a flora of great naturalistic interest.

2h running time, 5 km, 457 m difference in altitude.