Montagne a Bergamo - Mountains near Bergamo

In the green heart of the Orobie: discovering the Bergamo Mountains

Outside Bergamo

23 October 2025

The mountains in Bergamo preserve one of the most authentic and surprising aspects of Lombardy. Just a few kilometres from the city, the Orobie Bergamasche open up into a mosaic of valleys, villages, malghe (shepherd’s huts) and breathtaking views, ideal in every season for those who love nature, wellness and local traditions.

Whether it is a relaxing weekend or an adventure on the trails and in the mountain huts, the Bergamo valleys know how to offer genuine experiences and landscapes that will remain in your heart.

What are the mountains of Bergamo called?

The mountains that you can see from Bergamo are the Orobie Bergamasche, a beautiful pre-alpine chain that marks the natural border between the Lombardy plain and the central Alps. These mountains, rich in forests, valleys and ancient stone-built villages, offer a landscape where nature, culture and tradition coexist in perfect harmony.

The Orobie stretch across a network of valleys – the Val Brembana, Val Seriana, Val Imagna and Val Taleggio – each with its own identity, gastronomic specialties and experiences to be enjoyed in every season.

From the Art Nouveau spas of San Pellegrino to the majestic views of Monte Presolana, Bergamo’s mountains are the ideal destination if you are looking for relaxation, adventure and authenticity just a few kilometres from the city.

Mountains in Bergamo – Val Sedornia in Val Seriana

Mountains close to Bergamo

If you want a quick excursion without having to go too far from Bergamo, the mountains surrounding the city offer some ideal destinations for a half-day in the open air. These include Canto Alto (1,146 m), which can be reached on foot from the villages of Sorisole or Bruntino, if you want to go up from the south side, and from Monte di Nese going up from the north. From its summit there is an exceptional panoramic view over the town, the Po Valley and the Orobie, and it is particularly popular with families for its meadows, which are perfect for picnics and walks.

Monte Canto, with its trails that cross chestnut and beech forests, is not far away, while Monte Bastia (618 m) is another easily accessible vantage point, also ideal for mountain biking and Sunday hikes.

Towards the Val Cavallina, Monte Misma (1,160 m) offers more challenging but rewarding itineraries, with views ranging from Lake Iseo to the highest peaks of the Orobie. The historical village of Bianzano is also located in this area, with its perfectly preserved medieval castle dominating the valley.

These easily accessible mountains are the perfect choice for those who want to breathe in some mountain air and enjoy splendid views while being just a few kilometres from the city centre. They are ideal both for experienced hikers looking for a quick workout and for families with children taking their first steps on the Orobie trails.

View from Canto Alto Bergamo

Bergamo Valleys

Val Brembana: history, spas and mountain flavours

The Val Brembana is perhaps the most famous mountain area in Bergamo, thanks to its perfect combination of nature, culture and relaxation. Its landmark town, San Pellegrino Terme, is one of the most famous mountain destinations, a not-to-be-missed town with its elegant Art Nouveau buildings and renowned thermal baths, where you can enjoy a moment of wellness surrounded by thermal waters and mountain views.

If you love walking, you will find evocative itineraries such as the Via Mercatorum, an ancient medieval road that connected the villages of the Seriana and Brembana valleys in particular, or the hikes to Piani dell’Avaro and Monte Arera, true paradises for lovers of Alpine views.

The Val Seriana is home to the spectacular Oltre il Colle Vegetable Cathedral, a living artwork, created with fir and chestnut trees, that combines art, spirituality and landscape – it is now unfortunately an abandoned ‘project’ and only in spontaneous evolution.

Furthermore, you should not miss the local flavours: cheeses such as Branzi, formai de Mut and Bitto, honey, cured meats and traditional dishes served in the agriturismi and mountain huts dotting the valley.

Val Brembana Mountains – Panorama

Val Seriana: breathtaking views and picturesque villages

The Val Seriana will conquer you with its variety of landscapes, ranging from gentle hills to the most imposing peaks of Monte Pora and Presolana. Places such as Clusone, with its famous Planetary Clock, the perfectly preserved historic village of Gromo, or Castione della Presolana, an elegant holiday destination, will invite you to discover an authentic and lively mountain all year round.

In Alta Val Seriana, precisely in the territory of the municipality of Valbondione, about 50 km from Bergamo, you will find the Serio Waterfalls – with their three leaps, for a total jump of 315 metres, they are the second highest in Italy.

In winter, ski slopes and snowshoeing offer fun for everyone, while in summer, scenic trails and open alpine pastures will delight hikers and families.

The Presolana in Val Seriana

Valle Imagna: relaxation and authenticity

More secluded and intimate, ValIe Imagna is the ideal place if you are looking for peace, wellbeing and direct contact with nature. Among its most beautiful villages there are Rota d’Imagna, a starting point for pleasant panoramic walks, and Sant’Omobono Terme, famous for its healing waters, the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Cornabusa and accommodation facilities surrounded by nature.

Near the village of Almenno San Bartolomeo there is the magnificent Rotonda di San Tomè, one of the masterpieces of Lombard Romanesque architecture dating back to the 12th century. Its circular shape, rare and perfectly harmonious, is fascinating for the purity of its lines and the evocative power it conveys, especially at sunset, when the stone is tinged with gold. Surrounded by meadows and vineyards, the Rotonda is a must-see for anyone visiting the valley.

The Valle Imagna is also perfect for discovering rural traditions and tasting local products in a mountain Bergamo agriturismo, where time seems to stand still.

Mountains in Valle Imagna

Val Taleggio: the valley of taste

Small and nestled between high cliffs at 1,100 metres above sea level, Val Taleggio is a natural and gastronomic treasure. It is the birthplace of the famous Taleggio DOP cheese, the star of many local recipes.

The villages of Peghera and Sottochiesa still have the typical atmosphere of mountain communities, made of silence, stone and traditions.

One of the main scenic attractions is the impressive Orrido of the Enna torrent, a natural gorge about 3 km long connecting Roncaglia to Sottochiesa. Following the old road built between 1902 and 1910, this itinerary can be explored on foot or by bicycle, surrounded by high rock walls and the roar of the rushing stream.

In spring, when the snow melts, the gorges of the Orrido offer their most beautiful performance, with dozens of waterfalls and pools of crystal-clear water.

Pizzino Val Taleggio

Activities for children in the Bergamo mountains

The mountains of Bergamo are also perfect for families. In summer, you can organise a trip to the Parco Regionale delle Orobie Bergamasche, with its easy trails and picnic areas in over 70,000 hectares of protected area.

A destination you cannot miss is the Selvino Adventure Park located on top of Monte Purito, where both adults and children can have a great time among suspension bridges and ziplines in nature. The park is the ideal destination for a day in the open air, perfect for families, groups of friends or anyone wishing to experience the Bergamo mountains in a dynamic and fun way.

During the winter, the ski resorts of Monte Pora, Spiazzi di Gromo and Foppolo offer baby slopes, ski schools and sleds for a fun and safe approach to the snow.

Taste and hospitality at high altitude

In addition to nature, what makes the Bergamo valleys special is their genuine hospitality. Mountain huts, shelters and agriturismi offer authentic gastronomic experiences: handmade casoncelli, polenta taragna, mountain cheese and local wines to be enjoyed in front of the fireplace.

Among the most renowned agriturismi we want to mention those in Valle Imagna and Val Brembana – among them, the Ferdy agriturismo and the Alle Baite di Branzi agriturismo stand out; in these places it is possible to experience the mountains in a slow, sustainable and deeply genuine way.

Traditional Polenta Taragna

An invitation to discover the Orobie Bergamasche

The mountains near Bergamo are not just a destination for a weekend trip, but a way to experience nature at a slower pace, surrounded by authentic views and flavours that will tell you the story of this land.

From the thermal baths of San Pellegrino to the peaks of the Presolana, from the gorges of the Enna torrent to the mountain huts suspended among the high meadows, each valley offers a different face of the Orobian Alps, which are ready to welcome with open arms those who wish to take a journey through wellness, tradition and beauty.