The Spluga area offers a variety of alpine sports and activities to visitors. The nearby (9 km.) Madesimo tourist resort area offers both summer and winter alpine recreation, and Montespluga itself is renown for its unspoiled environment where the peace and silence that reign favor frequent and close contact with natural wildlife.

SUMMER ITINERARIES

La via dello Spluga (The Spluga Trail)

The Alpine communities of Valchiavenna in Italy and of Hinterrheln in Switzerland cooperated on the realization and management of the Spluga Trail, which stretches from Chiavenna, Italy to Thusis, Switzerland. This scenic trail recalls two thousand years of travel and exchange between Romance, Walser and Lombard peoples and cultures.

La strada dello Spluga (The Spluga Road)

The Spluga Road is in reality the Italian section of the Spluga Trail. The path traverses the entire Spluga Valley, starting from the summit of the Pass at 2,115 m. and extending all the way to Chiavenna (330 m.), for a total length of 26 km. and a height gradient of 1,785. Excursions are generally divided into 5 stages, the first two of which are described below.

1. Spluga Pass-Stuetta (Colmanetta)

Length: 5 km.
Height differential: 210 m.
Time required: 1.5 hr.

The trail begins at the Italian border following the path that rises from Splugen to then descend along the grazing path leading to Montespluga. After walking only a short way along the path (apprx. 100 m.), the traveler joins up with the original historic trail (dating back to 1643) which continues after a brief interruption with a double passage way lined with solid supporting stone walls. After the ganda, the trail again disappears briefly to reappear in the grass and lead on to a stream, the Liro, that originates from the overlying Blue Lakes. Passing over the stream and the State highway, the trail continues to the other side of the valley where traces of the ancient Roman road are still visible. From this point on, the path gently descends to the village of Montespluga, offering along the way magnificent views of the Plain of the House below and Montespluga Lake. This vista is framed on the left by the ridge of the Andossi range and on the right by the Loga Valley and the rugged spurs of of the Cardinal Mountains. The trail carries on to the central Montespluga Square, adorned by the Church of San Francesco and the edifice that once was the "Ca' de la Montagna" inn, now occupied by the Victoria Hotel. Continuing through the village, the path recrosses the Liro and arrives at the remains of the ancient trail that rises to a rocky crest running along the lakeside. A short climb later, the traveler arrives at the highest point dominating the lake for a breathtaking and expansive view to the Northeast that includes the Suretta peaks (3,027 m.), Spadolazzo (2,720 m.), the Mater (3,023 m.), the Groppera (2,948 m.) and the Stella (3,163 m.). Situated between two dams rises the Castellaccio (currently a mountain refuge, formerly a military bulwark), while nestled beneath lies the village of Stuetta, reached after crossing over the picturesque Cardine dam.

2. Blue Lake Loop

An interesting excursion can be undertaken along the historic trail starting from Montespluga and finishing in the picturesque Blue Lakes area. This hike has a height differential of 520 m. and a time estimation of 1 hour 40 minutes, reaching an altitude of 2,430 m. The return trip travels along the Swiss slopes, passing the peak of Bergseell (2,311 m.), and arriving at the Italian border from where the path descends, as described above, along the historic trail.

3. Isola-Montespluga

Height differntial: 648 m.
Time required: 2 h. 30 min.

This path connects Isola to Montespluga and is probably the summer trail with the most direct route to Spluga Pass. After leaving a car in Isola (1,260 m.), the traveler follows the stream's right bank, passing the ENEL electricity plant and continuing on to the hamlet of Torni (1,351 m.). From there the hiker follows the dirt road until its end and then enters a narrow valley where parts of the trail are lined with rocky walls. The path, particularly delightful in this section, winds up suggestively, at times climbing steeply, until it reaches the dam at Montespluga. The traveler crosses the dam on the left side following the trail that runs along the basin and continues until arriving at a small bridge that leads to the village of Montespluga.

The Cardinello Gorge In the late autumn of 1800, Napoleonic troops of the Second Corps led by General McDonald ventured into the Cardinello Gorge with the aim of meeting up with the Italian Army. The mission was a complete disaster which cost the lives of many soldiers and animals with their supplies. The troops were overcome by landslides or plummeted to their deaths in crevices and ravines. A lithograph from 1836 depicts the procession in an apocalyptic setting of precipices and chasms shrouded in sleet and snow.

4. Montespluga-Lake d'Emet (2196 m)

Height differential: 288 m.
Time required: 1 h. 20 min.

This is a relatively easy excursion that leads to the Bertacchi shelter perched on a natural terrace overlooking Lake d'Emet. Following the road from Montespluga that circles the lake, after approximately 1.5 km. a group of houses appears on the left-hand side and it is from here that the trail begins along an unpaved road (for pedestrians only!). Climbing steadily, either along the road or directly along the pastures that lead to the summit of the Andossi peaks, the hiker arrives at a slope which descends into the Scalcoggia River Valley. At this point it is necessary to follow the path that cuts horizontally across the slope in an arc on the summit side of the valley. At the end of this arc the trail arrives at the huts overlooking the basin of Lake d'Emet. From here it is possible to descend to Madesimo (1,550 m.) or continue on to Niemet Pass (2,294 m.).


5. Montespluga-Black Lake (2310 m.)

Height differential: 402 m.
Time required: 1 h.

This is a simple and pleasant hike in the Montespluga basins area. Along the State Highway from Montespluga to Stuetta is the entrance to the viaduct that circles the lake; at the end of the unpaved road a trail begins that ascends following the grazing pastures. This leads directly to a trail that completes a long diagonal path in the direction of the Suretta waterfall. The hiker follows the trail towards the right up to a small building where the path continues on to the edge of the slope that forms the basin of Black Lake (2,310 m.).


6. Montespluga-Suretta Alpine Hut (2748 m.)

Height differential: 840 m.
Time required: 2 h. 30 min.

This is the most direct route to the Suretta Hut that faces the small Suretta glacier. The trail begins from the unpaved road that runs along the viaduct circling Lake Montespluga. The trail ascends towards the Suretta waterfalls situated at the extreme end of the valley which are reached by climbing the steep trail to their left. Once at the waterfalls, the traveler continues climbing the glacial moraine along the trail that rises to the left up to just under the upper incline of the glacier from where the hut will be visible. The views of the largest peaks of the entire Spluga Valley are breathtaking from this vantage point.


7. Montespluga-Cecchini Alpine Hut (2750 m.)

Height differential: 842 m.
Time required: 3 h.

One follows the dirt path from Montespluga that leads to the first bridge over the Loga River. From the bridge, the trail continues along practically the entire length of the valley, hugging the river banks for most of the way. At the 3/4 point, the trail abandons the river and begins to rise in 3 distinct escalations leading directly to the Refuge, situated to the left as one climbs up from the Valley bottom. The last part of the quite steep trail passes through brittle, rocky terrain that makes the ascent to the top (2,750 m.) somewhat challenging.

WINTER ITINERARIES

8. Montespluga-Pizzo Tambò (3279 m.)

Height differential: 1,371 m.
Ascent time: 4 h.

This is the highest of the Valchiavenna peaks and, from the point of view of alpine skiiers, the most interesting. Indeed the ascent to the top of the Tambò is rightly considered the most beautiful among the various winter excursions of this valley. Its popularity is aided by the fact that despite its magnificance, its a fairly simple outing. Even the final ascent to the summit, made without skiis, does not generally present difficulties. For all of these reasons, but most of all for the spectacular views it offers, this itinerary is highly recommended and shouldn't be missed.

From Montespluga one climbs up to the pass, following the State Highway (often closed to traffic in this part due to heavy snow). Close to the frontier is a trail that ascends towards the left along scenic knolls and vales; the excursionist should maintain a parallel position to the crest of the border until in the neighborhood of Tamborello peak (2,669 m.). Once at the Lattenhorn (2,858 m.), where the trail merges with the Swiss itinerary, one climbs the big rise of the facing crest by crossing in a diagonal line. The descent is made back down the same trail.

9. Montespluga-Pizzo Ferré (3103 m.)

Height differential: 1,195 m.
Ascent time: 4 hr. 30 min.

Quite often the ascent to Pizzo Ferrè is concluded at the Cecchini Hut, at the end of Val Loga, and one therefore follows the river banks. This is the case because from the hut itself it is necessary to descend a little ways and then reclimb in order to reach and cross the small Ferrè glacier. Alpine skiiers generally don't want to do this because as a rule they prefer to descend uninterrupted after a long ascent. However, the fact remains that the Ferrè peak, though snubbed by some, is a panoramic and enjoyable summit, retaining its own special character.

From the group of houses at Montespluga, the skiier enters the wide Val Loga and hugs the river side (people tend to cross over, bit's also possible to climb along the right bank). After climbing the first half of the valley along the long and rocky path, one ascends up the left flank of the Val Loga, following a prominent incline. At this point one arrives near the rocky crest, which joins the summit of the Val Loga (3,004 m.) to the steep Val Schisarelo. The trail climbs to the base of this crest (it is advisable for safety precautions to keep a certain distance from the crest incline due to snowfall) following the old "pluder" trail (an old stone quarry) which bears left to arrive at a small saddle of the crest that travels from the summit of Val Loga to Mount Cardine (2,467 m.). The Cecchini hut (2,992 m.) is situated atop a craggy knoll visible from the crest and reachable in a few minutes. From the hut, the trail cuts to the right to cross from the Val Loga to the Ferrè glacier; this part of the trail is a bit tricky and calls for some close attention. Passing by the Ferrè saddle (2,992 m.), one arrives at the base of the final rocky track where it may be useful to use a climbing rope. The descent follows the same trail as the ascent.



10. Montespluga-Pizzo Suretta (3027 m.)

Height differential: 1,119 m.
Ascent time: 3 hr. 30 min.
Equipment recommended: pick axe and crampons

There are two peaks that dominate the Spluga Pass: the most imposing (for those climbing from Valchiavenna) is certainly Pizzo Suretta that rises to the right of the pass. It can be climbed fairly simply from the Spluga Pass. Only the last part, granting access to the summit itself, is considered a bit more difficult due to the presence of ice patches.

The excursionist climbs along the road from Montespluga (often closed to traffic between the village and the pass due to heavy snow ). Once past the border, the trail rises towards the right, zigzagging along the summer trail that occasionally surfaces. Having passed the first steep incline, the skiier finds himself on a small plateau that must be crossed in order to asend the valley that runs parallel to the western crest of the Suretta peak - this crest joins the summit with the Spluga Pass. One follows this gently rising valley that ends in a wide saddle known as Surettajoch on the northern crest of Pizzo Suretta. Skiis must be removed and one climbs this steep crest to arrive at the summit of Pizzo Suretta. The peak is situated on the Italian-Swiss border but the entire ascension takes place on Swiss territory. The descent returns back down the same trail.