The best walks and hikes around Paspardo

The Pizzo Badile Camuno is one of the most iconic peaks in the middle Val Camonica: a limestone mountain with an unmistakable shape, a summit at 2,435 m, spectacular views, and a challenging but very rewarding via ferrata. Here is a clear and updated summary to help you orient yourself. 🏔️ Pizzo Badile Camuno Profile - Altitude: 2,435 m a.s.l. - Location: between Ceto and Cimbergo, in the Adamello group. - Mountain character: isolated peak, "shovel" shape (hence the name), often called the "Cervino of Camonica". - Geology: very white limestone upper part, resting on the dark Fasa band, with a granite base of the Adamello massif. 🧗‍♂️ The Pizzo Badile Camuno via ferrata One of the best-known and most frequented routes in the area, classified C/D, therefore challenging. - Total elevation gain: ~1,385 m - Total duration: approximately 6h30’ (approach + via ferrata + return). - Difficulty: moderate technical skill required, but physically very demanding. - Exposure: constant, with equipped sections on smooth slabs and Grade I passages in the woods. - Mandatory equipment: helmet, harness, via ferrata set (the rock is crumbly and prone to rockfall). 🚶‍♂️ Ascent Itinerary (from Cimbergo – Volano) Starting point: dirt road above Cimbergo, near Rifugio De Marie (1420 m). 1) Approach - CAI Trail 77, steep and with equipped sections already in the woods. - Passages on smooth slabs with chains and some rocky jumps. - Exit from the woods with a view of the Volano basin and the middle Val Camonica. 2) Mario Donati Bivouac - Small wooden structure nestled in the rock, a perfect spot for a break. - From here, the most exposed section towards the base of the wall begins. 3) Final via ferrata - Long and continuous steel cable. - Exposed passages on grassy rocks and oblique traverses. - Arrival at the fissure that divides the Pizzo in two: from here the summit is close. 🌄 View from the summit One of the widest in Val Camonica: - Adamello and Pian di Neve - Concarena - Presolana - Lake Iseo - Up to the more distant Disgrazia and Bernina on clear days 📜 Historical Notes - First documented explorations: 1855, Prof. Regazzoni. - First official ascent: May 25, 1884, Ballardini and Beatrici.

🌿 Origins: an ancient cult in the highlands The devotion to the Madonna delle Nevi (Our Lady of the Snows) is widespread throughout the Alps. It originates from a legendary episode in the 4th century, linked to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, but in the Lombard mountains it takes on a more concrete meaning: invoking protection against avalanches, sudden snowfalls, and the dangers of alpine pastures. The small church of Paspardo fits exactly into this tradition: a small oratory built to protect shepherds, woodcutters, and travelers who climbed towards Colombé, Barbignaga, and the high mountain pastures.

Le Baite del Pusol are a small cluster of huts at an altitude of approximately 1400 m above Paspardo, on the slope of Monte Colombé. They are reachable via the agro–silvo–pastoral road that climbs from Ghisgiulì and offer an exceptional panoramic point over the Concarena. The most reliable information available online confirms the location and access route. 📍 Where exactly they are located - Municipality: Paspardo (BS) - Altitude: ~1400 m - Area: southern slope of Monte Colombé - Approximate coordinates: 46.04 N, 10.38 E - Access: agro–silvo–pastoral road from Ghisgiulì (1080 m), reachable by car (toll section) 🥾 How to get to Le Baite del Pusol Simplest itinerary (from Paspardo – Ghisgiulì) - Departure: Paspardo → Fles locality → Faunistic Center parking → Ghisgiulì - Departure altitude: 1080 m - Arrival: Le Baite del Pusol (1400 m) - Elevation gain: ~320 m - Time: 45–60 min - Difficulty: T/E (tourist–hiker) - Terrain: dirt road, easily passable The route is confirmed by the hiking report that describes the ascent from Deria–Paspardo to Pusol, with a spectacular panorama over the Concarena. 🌄 What to expect - Dominating panorama over the Concarena, especially at sunset - Wide meadows and scattered huts, a very tranquil environment - Ideal spot for: - photography - short hikes towards Colombé / Saline / Daha - sunset observation over the Concarena fissure 🔗 Useful links From Pusol depart or pass: - the path towards Saline (junction for Lago d’Arno) - the track that climbs towards Malga Colombé - connections towards Pian di Campo and the high ridge Colombé–Barbignaga

La Concarena is an imposing limestone-dolomite massif in the Orobic Prealps, culminating in Cima della Bacchetta (2549 m), and it separates the middle Val Camonica from Val di Scalve. It is a rugged, vertical mountain, rich in couloirs and fractured ridges, visible even from the Po Valley on clear days. 📍 Location - Region: Lombardy - Provinces involved: Brescia (predominant) and Bergamo (Scalve sector) - Municipalities concerned: Lozio, Cerveno, Losine, Ono San Pietro, Capo di Ponte; Bergamo side: Schilpario 🧭 Morphological characteristics - Limestone massif belonging to the Calcare di Esino formation - Vertical walls, chimneys, sharp ridges - Impressive elevation gain: ~2200 m from the valley floor in just 5 km - Presence of particular geological phenomena: - Frost chimneys (cold air escaping from fissures) - Marine fossils (limestone algae, corals) 🥾 Hikes and access La Concarena is wild and little frequented, ideal for experienced hikers. 🌄 Most popular itineraries - Cima della Bacchetta - Very demanding itinerary, 4h30 ascent only, requires experience and a surefootedness - Rifugio Baita Iseo (the only refuge in the massif) - Access from Ono San Pietro - Elevation gain ~800 m, loop trail - Val Varadega - Simpler trekking (2h30, excluding the final section) - Long traverses - Connections towards Mortirolo, Monte Pagano, Laghi Seroti - High-altitude routes, often on unstable terrain 🌅 Equinox phenomenon A distinctive and fascinating feature: at sunset during the equinoxes, the sun sets exactly in the split of the Concarena, creating a luminous effect that seems to "cut" the mountain. The ancient Camuni interpreted it as a manifestation of the "Great Spirit".

La Concarena is an imposing limestone-dolomite massif in the Orobie Prealps, culminating in Cima della Bacchetta (2549 m), and it separates the middle Val Camonica from Val di Scalve. It is a rugged, vertical mountain, rich in gullies and fractured ridges, visible even from the Po Valley on clear days. 📍 Location - Region: Lombardy - Provinces involved: Brescia (predominant) and Bergamo (Scalvino sector) - Municipalities concerned: Lozio, Cerveno, Losine, Ono San Pietro, Capo di Ponte; Bergamo side: Schilpario 🧭 Morphological characteristics - Limestone massif belonging to the Calcare di Esino formation - Vertical walls, chimneys, sharp ridges - Impressive elevation gain: ~2200 m from the valley floor in just 5 km - Presence of particular geological phenomena: - Frost chimneys (cold air escaping from fissures) - Marine fossils (limestone algae, corals) 🥾 Hikes and access La Concarena is wild and little frequented, ideal for experienced hikers. 🌄 Most popular routes - Cima della Bacchetta - Very demanding route, 4h30 ascent only, requires experience and a surefootedness - Rifugio Baita Iseo (the only refuge in the massif) - Access from Ono San Pietro - Elevation gain ~800 m, loop trail - Val Varadega - Simpler trekking (2h30, excluding the final section) - Long traverses - Connections towards Mortirolo, Monte Pagano, Laghi Seroti - High-altitude routes, often on unstable terrain 🌅 Equinox phenomenon A distinctive and fascinating feature: at sunset during the equinoxes, the sun sets exactly in the split of the Concarena, creating a luminous effect that seems to "cut" the mountain. The ancient Camuni interpreted it as a manifestation of the "Great Spirit".

The Rifugio Colombé is a highly appreciated mountain hut above Paspardo (Valcamonica), easily accessible and perfect for a scenic hike. It is located at an altitude of 1710 m and offers access to numerous itineraries towards Monte Colombé, Passo della Porta, Lago d’Arno, and the rock art area. 📍 Location - Location: Monte Colombé, Paspardo (BS) - Coordinates: 46.04454 N, 10.38432 E - Useful address: Via Zumella, Paspardo (most common starting point) 🥾 How to get there From Paspardo – CAI Trail 117 / 127 - Departure: Via Zumella – Centro Faunistico del Parco dell’Adamello (1100 m) - Arrival: Rifugio Colombé (1710–1850 m, depending on sources) - Elevation gain: ~750 m - Time: 1h40 – 2h30 - Difficulty: E (Hiking) The path is well-marked, starts in the woods, and then opens up to panoramic clearings with views of Valcamonica. From Cimbergo - Time: ~3h - Elevation gain: ~850 m 🏔️ What to see and do in the surroundings - Monte Colombé - Cima Barbignaga (2367 m) - Passo della Porta (connection towards Lago d’Arno) - Corno delle Pile (2899 m) - Pizzo Badile Camuno (2435 m) - Rock art sites of the Adamello Park 🛖 The hut - Manager: Massimo Alessandria - Phone: 366 503 3070 - Email: info@rifugiocolombe.it / massimo@rifugiocolombe.it - Beds: 35–37 - Lunch seats: ~90 indoors + 50 outdoors - Opening: often on request (always check) - Half board: €55–60 The hut is known for: - home-style cooking - warm welcome - splendid panoramic terrace overlooking Valcamonica

Rifugio Colombè, at 1,720 m, is located in Valcamonica and offers typical local cuisine and hospitality in a family atmosphere. Overnight stays are also possible with 37 beds. Starting point for excursions to Monte Colombè and Concarena, with a view of the Adamello group and Pizzo Badile Camuno. To check opening times, visit the refuge page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Rifugio-Colombé-100088546332468/

View of Concarena from Colombé