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Lake Pirola Hike in Valmalenco: Ancient Larches & Alpine Waters at 2,283m

Chiesa in Valmalenco, Sondrio · Lombardia•1 day · Saturday•Hiking · 2,283 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
INTERMEDIATE
Where?
Sondrio, Lombardia
On your own?
No problem
Points
+19
Lake Pirola Hike in Valmalenco: Ancient Larches & Alpine Waters at 2,283m
Community photos
See all photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Your guide
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

Lake Pirola in Valmalenco

Five-hundred-year-old larches, and a lake at two thousand metres.

Group chat a couple of days before
Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

We set off with the Guidders from the pasture near the Cappelletta dell'Alpe Ventina, on a steep path through mountain pine that climbs quickly to a first boulder-strewn flat. Then we enter open woodland where the real stars are hiding: ancient larches, some over four or five hundred years old. Walking among these giants would justify the outing on its own. Higher up appears Lago Pirola, with the Valmalenco all around.

5 reasons to come - ancient larches, some five centuries old - Lago Pirola, high up - the open woodland where the giants hide - the Valmalenco seen from above - a day that stays with you

Who it suits A steep path through mountain pine and boulder sections: good fitness and a sure step.

Walking among trees that have watched centuries pass: come with the Guidders.

GOOD TO KNOW
Group chat
It opens a couple of days before: that's where the meeting point is confirmed and carpooling is arranged.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before
For the selected date: by 6 October, 23:59. You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+19 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
Included in the price.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
900 m D+ · 11 km · 6 h
Exposure and exposed sections
NONE
No exposed sections reported on the route.
VERTIGO RISK
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 6 h and 900 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Warm layers, a windproof jacket, 1.5 litres of water and a headlamp: the days are getting shorter, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Qualified hiking guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Travel to Chiesa in Valmalenco
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.

Elevation gain
900 m
Max altitude
2,283 m
Distance
11 km
Duration
6 h
Saturday
10 Oct
11 km · D+ 900 m · 6 h
Map
The stops · 11 km
Meeting point 9:00approximate
. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
HOW TO GET THERE
09:00MEETING
Meeting point in Chiareggio
We'll meet up with the Guidders in Chiareggio (SO), where we'll leave the cars, before heading to the alpine pasture near the Cappelletta dell'Alpe Ventina, where the trail begins. The exact time will be sent on the trip's Telegram group.
11:30LAKE
Lago Pirola among the ancient larches
After the steep trail among the mountain pines and the boulder shelf we cross the wood of ancient larches, some more than five hundred years old. A little higher we reach Lago Pirola, where we stop for lunch on its shores.
15:00RETURN
Back to Alpe Ventina
We return to the cars along the same route, passing back among the larches with the afternoon light filtering through the branches. We take the time for a toast before saying goodbye.

How do you get to Chiesa in Valmalenco? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group. Contacts and costs are agreed between you: a seat isn't guaranteed.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
for the selected date
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.

Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Food supply
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Backpack
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Guide for this date · Saturday 10 October
Dario C.
Dario C.
★TOP GUIDE
We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Dario, a mid-mountain leader and International Mountain Leader. I live in the Valtellina and I know it deeply: for over 40 years I worked here as a technical manager on the ground, across environment, maintenance and civil protection. Forty years like that teach you to read a valley in a way you don't learn by crossing it on holiday. I guide across the Valtellina, the Valchiavenna, Lake Como and over the border too, sharing the trails, the views and the stories of these places. I've walked the Camino de Santiago several times, along with other great European routes: experiences that taught me the value of walking slowly and discovering as you go. On my outings I bring experience, care for safety and knowledge of the land, but also a passion for travel and exploration. 🥾🌄 See you in the mountains, Guidders!

Spagnolo
Guida di Media Montagna

Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.
—
no reviews yet
Itinerary—
Organisation—
Overall experience—
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
We only ask for feedback from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 6 h with 900 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Book now, pay only if it goes ahead
MOST POPULAR
✓No charge now: the amount is only held on your card
✓Free cancellation up to 3 days before (for this date: 6 October, 23:59)
✓You're only charged once the group is confirmed, at 7 pm the evening before departure
✓Minimum not reached? No charge, nothing to do
Or pay straight away by card, PayPal, Satispay or Revolut. With Klarna you can also pay in interest-free instalments.
Ibex
Still have questions? Message Ibex
Ibex is Guiddy's virtual ibex: it answers everything, 24/7. In two messages it tells you whether this outing is for you, how to get there and what to pack.
Message Ibex on WhatsApp
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice.
Lake Pirola Hike in Valmalenco: Ancient Larches & Alpine Waters at 2,283m

Lake Pirola Hike in Valmalenco: Ancient Larches & Alpine Waters at 2,283m

Chiesa in Valmalenco, (SO) · Lombardia
1 day · Hiking · 2,283 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
900 m
Max altitude
2,283 m
Distance
11 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
6 h
Guiddy points
+19
7 photos
+3 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

Lake Pirola in Valmalenco

Five-hundred-year-old larches, and a lake at two thousand metres.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

We set off with the Guidders from the pasture near the Cappelletta dell'Alpe Ventina, on a steep path through mountain pine that climbs quickly to a first boulder-strewn flat. Then we enter open woodland where the real stars are hiding: ancient larches, some over four or five hundred years old. Walking among these giants would justify the outing on its own. Higher up appears Lago Pirola, with the Valmalenco all around.

5 reasons to come - ancient larches, some five centuries old - Lago Pirola, high up - the open woodland where the giants hide - the Valmalenco seen from above - a day that stays with you

Who it suits A steep path through mountain pine and boulder sections: good fitness and a sure step.

Walking among trees that have watched centuries pass: come with the Guidders.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
900 m D+ · 11 km · 6 h
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 6 h and 900 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Warm layers, a windproof jacket, 1.5 litres of water and a headlamp: the days are getting shorter, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Qualified hiking guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Travel to Chiesa in Valmalenco

Itinerary

Saturday · approximate times
Map
Stops · 11 km
Meeting point 9:00Chiesa in Valmalenco
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
09:00MEETING
Meeting point in Chiareggio
We'll meet up with the Guidders in Chiareggio (SO), where we'll leave the cars, before heading to the alpine pasture near the Cappelletta dell'Alpe Ventina, where the trail begins. The exact time will be sent on the trip's Telegram group.
11:30LAKE
Lago Pirola among the ancient larches
After the steep trail among the mountain pines and the boulder shelf we cross the wood of ancient larches, some more than five hundred years old. A little higher we reach Lago Pirola, where we stop for lunch on its shores.
15:00RETURN
Back to Alpe Ventina
We return to the cars along the same route, passing back among the larches with the afternoon light filtering through the branches. We take the time for a toast before saying goodbye.

How do you get to Chiesa in Valmalenco? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
for this date
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike.
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Food supply
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Backpack
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Saturday 10 October
Dario C.
Dario C.
Guida di Media Montagna
★TOP GUIDE

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Dario, a mid-mountain leader and International Mountain Leader. I live in the Valtellina and I know it deeply: for over 40 years I worked here as a technical manager on the ground, across environment, maintenance and civil protection. Forty years like that teach you to read a valley in a way you don't learn by crossing it on holiday. I guide across the Valtellina, the Valchiavenna, Lake Como and over the border too, sharing the trails, the views and the stories of these places. I've walked the Camino de Santiago several times, along with other great European routes: experiences that taught me the value of walking slowly and discovering as you go. On my outings I bring experience, care for safety and knowledge of the land, but also a passion for travel and exploration. 🥾🌄 See you in the mountains, Guidders!

We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Reviews

— · none yet
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
Only from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 6 h with 900 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Ibex
Still unsure? Message Ibex on WhatsApp →
Sat 10 Oct
€24.90
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed