Left: View over Val di Scalve east toward Presolana.
Center: Three hikers walking on snow near Malga Alta Campelli in Val di Scalve, Bergamo.
Right: Tracks and altitude profile for the Passo Campelli Hike.
Center: Three hikers walking on snow near Malga Alta Campelli in Val di Scalve, Bergamo.
Right: Tracks and altitude profile for the Passo Campelli Hike.
Overview
Our first official hike of 2025 and it’s spectacular. We are hiking west of the alpine village of Schilpario, located in Orobie Bergamasche mountains. Schilpario is known for its cross-country skiing trails, which are internationally recognized. During the winter, the village transforms into a hub for skiing enthusiasts, while in the summer, these trails become ideal for hiking and exploring. It’s winter but we still are going for a hike!
Length: 17.9 km (11.1 mi) - out and back
Duration: 6 hours, with breaks and lunch
Elevation: Max elevation 2102 m (6,896 ft) Monte Campioncino, minimum elevation 1220 m (4,002 ft) at parking area
Location: Italy, Lombardy, Bergamo Province, Valle di Scalve
Details
We are not going to try to explain public transportation to reach Schilpario village: there is always is a way but it’s long. For example, in 2017’s hike A Hike from Passo Presolana to Rifugio Rino Olmo to Castione della Presolana, we took the bus to the other side of the pass. Looking at the indications given there should give you an idea of how to do it.
Today, we are with friends in their car. We stop in Schilpario to get some sandwiches made at Alimentari Spada di Spada Daniela (one of many possible places) and then continue on to the parking lot at the location called Parcheggio Fondi partenza sentieri (1220 m).
Today the rifugi were closed, hence the sandwiches. Also, when buying the sandwiches we showed our “American” side when we purchased a tube of mayonnaise to sauce-up those ever so dry Italian sandwiches!
The road from I Fondi in summer continues but is closed in winter so we are walking up today to our first stop at Rifugio Cimon Bagozza. There are enough curves in the road and snow on the road that during our walk we just followed the tracks going up! We saw people walking, sledding, cross country skiing, and ski mountaineering.
After a pause at Rifugio Cimon Bagozza (1600 m), we followed the signs up to our next stop Passo Campelli (1890 m) and then on to Rifugio Campione (1946 m). At Rifugio Campione (closed), we pulled out a portable picnic tables and two benches and set up for lunch. Two of us lazed in the sun and our other halves went up to the nearby peak of Monte Campioncino (2102 m).
We are more or less following the first part of the CAI trail Sentiero 428: i Fondi (Schilpario) to Passo del Vivione.
From the pass to Rifugio Campione there are wonderful views over the Val Camonica, where the previous year we visited rock drawings that are UNESCO designated. See our post A Visit to Parco Naquane to See Paleolithic and Neolithic Rock Drawings in the Val Camonica. From Rifugio Campione, we are looking west across the valley directly at the Parco Naquane.
Geography
This hike takes place on the north of the mountain range known as the Gruppo Camino-Concarena within the Eastern Bergamasque Prealps. This range is known for its dramatic limestone peaks and rugged terrain, giving it a Dolomite-like appearance.
According to the SOIUSA (International Standardized Mountain Subdivision of the Alps) the mountain can be classified in the following way:
- main part = Eastern Alps
- major sector = Southern Limestone Alps
- section = Bergamasque Alps and Prealps
- subsection = Bergamasque Prealps
- supergroup = Prealpi Bergamasche Orientali (not the supergroup ABBA or ASIA đ)
- group = Gruppo Camino-Concarena
Photos
Left and center: Approaching Passo dei Campelli in Alta Val di Scalve.
Right: Northside of Concarena range.
Left: Approaching Rifugio Campione.
Right: Looking east toward Passo dei Campelli.
Left: Panorama near Passo dei Campelli in Alta Val di Scalve.
Right: Hike tracks.
Left: Snow mounds in Val di Scalve.
Center: Snow, tracks and blue sky in Val di Scalve.
Right: Soft mounds of snow and rugged peaks and Cimon della Bigozza (2,409 m).
Right: Hike tracks.
Left: Snow mounds in Val di Scalve.
Center: Snow, tracks and blue sky in Val di Scalve.
Right: Soft mounds of snow and rugged peaks and Cimon della Bigozza (2,409 m).
Left: Trees in a sea of snow in Val di Scalve.
Center: Winter hikers near Passo dei Campelli in Val di Scalve.
Right: Ski trails leading down from Monte Campioncino to Rifugio Campione.
Right: Ski trails leading down from Monte Campioncino to Rifugio Campione.
Left: Val di Scalve from just below Passo dei Campelli looking west.
Right: The Gruppo Camino-Concarena are your constant companion on this hike.
Left and center: View east over Val Camonica toward Monte Tredenus.
Right: View from the top of Monte Campioncino.
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