The area
The Valcamonica Valley
From Lake Iseo to the Tonale Pass, one of the longest valleys in Italy: landscapes, thousands of years of history and nature.
Valcamonica, one of the valleys in the Brescia province, lies in the central Alps. It is crossed by the river Oglio — the fifth longest in Italy — and stretches from the Tonale Pass in the north, marking the border with neighbouring Trentino, down to the Corno Trentapassi in the south, overlooking Lake Iseo.
Given its length, the valley features a remarkable variety of landscapes. It can be divided into three stretches:
- Lower Valcamonica — from Lake Iseo to Breno: an almost flat area, bordered on the right by the Orobie Prealps and on the left by the Brescia Prealps.
- Middle Valcamonica — from Breno to Edolo: enclosed between the Orobie Prealps to the west and the Adamello massif to the east.
- Upper Valcamonica — from Edolo to Ponte di Legno: surrounded by the Adamello massif to the east and the slopes of the Ortles-Cevedale to the west.
The area we explore in these pages is that of middle and lower Valcamonica, rich in natural, artistic and historical beauty as well as cultural and culinary traditions. It is the land of the Camunni, famous for its rock carvings — the first Italian site recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For geomorphological and historical detail, see the entry Val Camonica.
Discover it by bike: along the trails and mule tracks that cross it, on descents for every taste, or simply along the Valcamonica cycle path and the country lanes. Stop to take in the scenery or to taste the local produce along the way.
Related pages: the valley's Local food and its Protected areas (Adamello Park and the rock-carving reserves).