Bagni: Forest, Thermal Spring and Mountain Trails

Bagni combines forest, a thermal spring, the Chiesetta dei Bagni and mountain trails. Below Bagni del Masino lies a beech forest with naturally occurring trees, some of which are more than 200 years old. The trails range from circular routes to uphill climbs.

Forest, old paths and the alluvial basin

The area of Bagni di Masino is one of two parts of the Foresta di Lombardia Val Masino. The other is Val di Mello; the former part is known as “Bagni di Masino”. The circular route La Foresta dei Bagni runs through the landscape. It passes through tall fir trees and large old beeches, using both paths and historic mule tracks. The rare Rosalia alpina, or alpine longhorn beetle, has also been recorded in the beech forest below Bagni del Masino.

The alluvial basin of Bagni di Masino is also part of the 2,600-hectare SIC “Bagni di Masino-Pizzo Badile-Pizzo del Ferro”. Along the Sentiero Sensoriale dei Bagni di Masino, nine information panels provide details about the region’s most important natural features, some of them also in Braille.

Trails with different profiles

The Sentiero Sensoriale dei Bagni di Masino is 1,100 m long and has an elevation gain of 80 m. Thanks to appropriate technologies, it enables blind and visually impaired people to enjoy an independent and safe mountain hike. The Foresta Val Masino also has a permanent orienteering course. A specially created map is required to use it.

There are several destinations around Bagni del Masino for mountain excursions. The Rifugio Antonio Omio is located at 2,100 m on a plateau at the head of the Valle dell’Oro. The Rifugio Gianetti is a stage of the Sentiero Roma and serves as a starting point for important climbs on Pizzo Badile and Pizzo Cengalo. The section of the Sentiero Roma from Bagni di Masino to Rifugio Omio involves an ascent of 930 m in elevation, from 1,170 to 2,100 m, and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Thermal history and Chiesetta dei Bagni

The thermal use of the waters of Bagni del Masino dates back to before 1462. The thermal spring of Bagni di Masino emerges at approximately 38 °C in a grotto behind the old thermal building and can be reached by a staircase.

The Chiesetta dei Bagni stands in front of the thermal complex of Bagni di Masino. Its front section was built before 1600; the Chiesetta dates from 1641 and was built in the architectural style of Graubünden.

Getting to Val Masino

From Milan, the journey to the Foresta Val Masino by car follows the SS 36 towards Lecco-Sondrio and then the SS 38, with a turn-off to Val Masino. Alternatively, it is possible to travel by train to Morbegno railway station and then continue by scheduled bus via Ardenno and San Martino to Val Masino.

More destinations to choose from

More destinations to choose from: Madesimo, Tartano, Rasura, Caiolo, Mello, Ardenno, Trepalle, Pedesina.

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