Valposchiavo

The first stage starts in Poschiavo, a little village known for its small streets and pastel-colored buildings. After leaving the town, you start the ascent through pine forests. You’ll be treated to spectacular views of Lake Poschiavo and the surrounding peaks. The trail alternates between steep sections and flat parts. After you reach the highest point of the day, you will continue through forests and open fields, sometimes having to cross a small stream or waterfall. At the end of this stage of 11 kilometers, you will descend a little and see Rifugio Alpe San Romerio on a huge and open terrace of the mountain. The panoramic view is amazing! The hut is run by Gino and Susanna and they serve locally sourced meals.

The second stage is a mix of forested trails and rocky landscapes. The trail becomes steeper as you climb toward Passo di Malghera, the highest point of this day (2543m). It’s a lot of ascending, but the view from the top is so rewarding! You’re now at the Swiss-Italian border. The descent brings you through an increasingly green landscape. You walk along the clear blue Lake Malghera, in which you see the reflection of the surrounding mountains. Eventually, you arrive at Rifugio Malghera after 14 kilometers of hiking. You know you’re in Italy when the hut is covered with pictures of various popes and a bottle of red wine is standard on the table!

The final stage takes you along steep and mustard-colored hills and the path becomes more challenging. Large stones form your path and after some climbing, you’ll reach a green valley with a small lake. The path of the summit consists of loose gravel and stones. Finally, you’re at the top of Pass da Sach, at 2746m altitude. The view is breathtaking: bare, rugged mountains without any vegetation stretch out before you. You start the steep descent, with a lot of loose stones and large rock formations. The landscape is slowly becoming greener, with subtropical-like plants. You end up at Lake Saoseo and finally reach Alpe Campo, the finishing point.

The best time of the year to hike the Estels del Sud is from June through September. Keep in mind you’ll need to be prepared for multiple weather conditions. Always check the trail conditions and weather forecasts.

Additionally, consider your hiking experience and skill level, as some parts of this trail are challenging. So bring the proper equipment with you, such as solid shoes and hiking poles.

You can reach the starting and finishing point by car. The trail signage is great, but hiking with GPX makes it easier.

The trail has some challenging parts, so you have to be in good condition and have some hiking experience. Hiking poles, a sun hoody, and sturdy shoes are recommended. The terrain varies from steep forest trails to rocky alpine paths, which makes this hike moderately challenging.