Sentiero delle Orobie Occidentali

The Sentiero delle Orobie Occidentali (Western Orobie Trail) begins in the valley near Bergamo and extends towards the western peaks, giving you breathtaking views of the central and western Alps. You’ll enjoy several high-altitude passages with dramatic ridges and cliffs. The trail starts from Cassiglio and touches the main refuges of the Orobie, crossing the most interesting areas from a naturalistic, environmental, and mountaineering point of view. You will thus have the opportunity to cross a large part of the upper Brembana Valley without much difficulty while still getting to enjoy short excursions into Taleggio Valley, Valsassina, and Valtellina.

Compared to its Eastern counterpart, the Occidentali doesn’t present great difficulties and can be tackled by all hikers with minimal training. There are a few sections with chains, however, they shouldn’t present difficulties and can be tackled without the use of special equipment such as a via ferrata set.

Finally, the Occientali is a point-to-point trail, while the Sentiero delle Orobie Orientali is a circuit. You’ll join up with the Orientali at the end of the Occidentali at the Calvi Refugio.

The best time to hike the Sentiero delle Orobie Occidentali is from May until October when there is no snow and accommodation are open. There may still be snowbanks on the early side of the season, which means you’ll just need to call the huts ahead of time if you’re hiking in May or June to check the trail conditions. They’ll be able to tell you everything you need to know – like if you’ll need to detour at all or bring micro-spikes. July and August are the peak hiking months, so you’ll definitely have full huts and more folks on the trail to talk with.

Sentiero delle Orobie Occidentali is a challenging hike, which means they require experience in alpine terrain, surefootedness, and proper equipment. You can prepare for these routes by training beforehand, and bringing the right gear. This looks like comfortable, supportive footwear with a good grip and proper hiking clothes, such as warm base layers and a hardshell rain jacket. You will also want to bring hiking poles, a well-fitted backpack, maps, GPS devices (or the GPX on your mobile), and a first-aid kit. For more ideas on what to bring, check out our comprehensive gear list for long-distance trails.

Very important: if you walk by yourself, share your plans with somebody else for your own safety. And if you change your plans while in the mountains, be sure to let that person know!

For staying overnight in the mountain huts, bring a light sleeping bag, in addition to the provided blankets, and earplugs for a restful night. Huts require that you bring a sleeping bag liner at least, as this will keep you clean while using their provided blankets and pillows.

The weather in the high mountains can change at the drop of a hat. Each morning, check on the local weather forecast to be prepared for all conditions. If it’s looking a bit iffy, check in with the hut warden for advice on what to do.

You’ll be able to eat at the huts, but you’re still responsible for water and snacks on the trail. Take at least 2L of water each day, supplementing with electrolytes if you need them. Additionally, be sure to bring lots of snacks to keep your energy up!

Finally, try to respect the principles of Leave No Trace by minimizing your impact on the environment. Stick to designated trails, take all your trash with you, and show respect for wildlife and natural habitats (keep your distance and don’t feed them).

The Sentiero delle Orobie Occidentali & Orientali are considered challenging. This is because of their steep ascents, rocky paths, and some exposed sections that require good physical fitness and alpine hiking experience. It’s suitable for experienced hikers comfortable with long-distance trekking in mountainous terrain.