Path from Sarnico to the Bronzone Mountain

SARNICO PATH

• Length: 17 km.
• Walking time: 5 hours 30 minutes.
• Markers: TPC - 701 - 728 - 729
• Difficulty: E
• Water: N0
• Height: 1230 m.
• Points of interest: the nature, history, the landscape

The small town of Sarnico is by now one of the most well known bathing resort of the Bergamasca shore of Iseo Lake.

It is rich in history and in attractions, which are concentrated most of all on the frequented lakeside, and it draws numerous visitors especially in summer.

The route we propose is mostly on Trans Padana Centrale (TPC) and along the periplus of Mount Bronzone on the path 701, which is the supporting framework of all the excursion-routes in the area.

As soon as you arrive in Sarnico, after the Monumental Cemetery ,you follow the indications for the Chapel of the Alpini.

At the first turn, where the ascent starts to get steeper, you park in the open space on the right in front of the covered passageway with indications TPC.

After few metres, at the first fork in the road to the small church of Alpini, go straight on along the smooth flat path between dry-walls made of sandstone of Sarnico as far as the building of waterworks, that you pass following the evident trail.

Go on passing by a group of small houses, then on the right go downhill for few metres on an asphalted road and immediately turn left into a steep cemented mule-track (TPC).

After a short ascent on gravel take a steep asphalted road; on the left starts again a mule-track (TPC) limited by dry-walls.

After passing the barrier you go on a path called “Route of Madonna“, in the shade of olive-trees and cypress-trees, which give a typical Mediterranean atmosphere to the surrounding environment.

The path is smooth and well traced and only the echo of traffic recalls Sarnico with its crowded lakeside.

After reaching the pleasant chapel consecrated to the Virgin, altitude 398 m. and 20 minutes from departure, you start off on a wonderful and well kept paved mule-track, with steps made of sandstone of Sarnico, and cobbled side-tracks for the passage of the carts.After reaching in a short time the fork in the road of Forcella, you turn right (TPC) following a path that goes into a wood, in a setting more and more interesting, both from a rural and a naturalistic point of view.

You follow the slopes of Monte Faeto and reaching the ruins of a farmhouse the path bestows some stretches of flat land.

After about half an hour from Forcella turn left following the markers and enter onto an unpaved road on the ridge near Colle Cambline, 772 m. and one hour from the departure, characterized by wide open spaces and by the view of Bronzone, the Guerna Valley and obviously, the lake with peat-moss of Iseo.

From the hill, on the right the Corno Buco that dominates Predore, you go down on the gravel road that leads to Lerano, ancient rural centre nowadays quarter of Viadanica; at the fork in the road you turn right going up slightly.

Continue on the wide bend of the road (TPC), in an environment that has kept intact its agricultural vocation; passed the small square with the indications for hang-gliding take off, you follow the path marked by the marbleboundary stone and you go into a splendid mixed wood of chestnut-trees and birch-trees and with a surprising number of hollies, sometimes of considerable dimensions.

At the first fork in the road You follow the marking (TPC) on the right, then you pass a hunting hut with a small pond of water and you arrive at the Col d’Oregia, 940 m. 1 hour and 45 minutes from departure, an important crossroads of the excursion-itineraries.

Paying attention to the markings keep to the right, following the double signal TPC-701 for la Rolla.

Near a really well maintained hunting hut you keep to the left and follow the signs for Bronzone (701). The flat path passes among exceptional examples of holly, then there is a short incline and you start on an unpaved road that leads to the calcareous rock face of Dolomia in Conchodon, an environment that is still wild and rough.

Near the farmhouse the road gives way to a path (701) well marked but with rather steep stretches, that penetrates into t he undergrowth of the Bronzone rocky slopes. filled in summer with the intense and pungent perfume of cyclamens.

Arriving near the summit clearings leave 701 on the left and follow the evident track that takes you on a last tiring ascent until the summit cross, 1334 m. and 3 hours and a half from the departure.

The well marked route goes round the east face of Bronzone, covered with thick underbrush, and arrives quickly to an open space where you will find on the right the junction with the path 729.

Go through a forest of broadleaves where some wonderful examples of beech-trees tower over and you reach the hunting hut under Colle La Rolla, 970 m. and you go back again along the 701 and the TPC until the starting point.