Distance: 12,1 Km
Walking time: 3.55 hours
Sticking to the Rhaetian Alps side of the valley, leave Berbenno di Valtellina and its church and head towards the beautiful site of the Santuario della Madonna della Sassella, tucked into the vineyards where it has sat for centuries.
Take a look inside before dropping down into Sondrio, the main town of the province. From Sassella to Tirano, the landscape is unique, shaped by steep vineyards and dry-stone walls—the art of which has been recognized by UNESCO and added to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
From the Church of the Beata Vergine Assunta in Berbenno, head through the valley’s distinctive terraced vineyards towards Sondrio, noting their characteristic dry-stone walls, which have been declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
After ten kilometres, you’ll reach the stunning Sanctuary of the Santa Maria della Sassella, perched on a rocky cliff above a bend in the River Adda at the entrance to Sondrio, where it’s surrounded by grape vines and rocks on the ancient Via Valeriana.
Next up is Sondrio, a small city that is the capital of the province and easily explored on foot. The recently built Church of the Beata Vergine del Rosario is the final stop for stage three of the Via Occidentale.
