Val di Mello

Val di Mello is a broad glacial valley in Sondrio Province at the head of the Val Masino, in the Rhaetian Alps of northern Lombardy, often nicknamed the 'Yosemite of the Alps' for the sheer granite walls that rise above its meadows. Protected as a nature reserve and largely car-free, the valley floor is a gentle, almost level expanse of pasture, dry-stone huts, beech and larch woodland and the clear River Mello, which forms a string of turquoise pools and waterfalls. Visitors come to walk the easy main path along the valley, to swim in the cold natural pools in summer, and — above all — to climb and boulder on the granite that has made Val di Mello a legendary destination for international rock climbers and free-boulderers. The walk from the trailhead near San Martino, reached through Val Masino, is suitable for families and casual hikers, with the option of longer, steeper routes climbing to alpine refuges and lakes for serious walkers. A relaxed visit takes half a day; hikers and climbers easily spend longer or stay at the rifugi. Parking near San Martino is limited and fills early on summer weekends, when a shuttle bus operates and the lower valley can be busy around the pools; weekdays and the shoulder seasons are far quieter. Sturdy footwear, sun protection and layers are advisable, as mountain weather changes quickly. The granite domes reflected in the river pools are the iconic view. Far less crowded than the Lombard lakes yet strikingly beautiful, Val di Mello rewards walkers, swimmers and climbers seeking unspoilt alpine scenery.