Alpine Pastures & Lago Azzurro

A scenic loop through the high pastures and larch woods above Madesimo, in the upper Valle Spluga.The trail winds past Motta (1,720 m), with its meadows and traditional alpine huts, climbs gently to the Lago Azzurro — a small turquoise lake fed by an underground spring that fills in spring and slowly empties through autumn — and continues across to the panoramic balcony of Alpe Groppera (1,908 m). We start from the Diga car park in Madesimo and head up through the larch woods of the Sentiero della Cappelletta, reaching Motta in about an hour. From there the trail levels out, leading to Lago Azzurro and then traversing along the slopes to Alpe Groppera, with sweeping views over the Lepontine and Rhaetian Alps. A short detour leads to the gilded statue of Nostra Signora d'Europa, a 13-metre landmark above Motta Alta, with one of the most spectacular viewpoints of the entire Spluga Valley. Lunch stop at Alpe Groppera (packed lunch, with the option of a coffee or snack at one of the mountain huts along the way). The descent passes through Alpe Pianello (1,743 m) and rejoins Madesimo via Via Emet, closing the loop.