773 - Via San Bernardino, Stage 3

In the village of Soazza, one can admire the harmonious urban composition, the Capuchin Hospice, the Church of San Martino, as well as several nineteenth-century buildings. An educational trail starting from Soazza allows you to engage with the naturalistic, landscape, and cultural aspects of the area, especially chestnut cultivation. Our itinerary continues towards the imposing ruins of Mesocco Castle, a Renaissance fortress dismantled in the 16th century, and the Church of Santa Maria del Castello, which houses an extraordinary cycle of frescoes from the 1400s. Mesocco, which once played an important role in managing traffic through San Bernardino, features several interesting historic buildings; the earliest traces of human presence in the region date back to almost 10,000 years ago. At Mesocco begins the genuinely Alpine part of the route: the path climbs steeply towards Pian San Giacomo, repeatedly running alongside old roadways. After Pian San Giacomo, the itinerary winds almost entirely along the ancient mule track or "strada francesca," among forests and alpine pastures overlooking majestic peaks, to reach the enchanting basin of San Bernardino with its touristic village.

6 hours of walking, 14.5 km, 1042 m of elevation gain.