Summer in Livigno, between high-altitude sports and gourmet itineraries

mWhile Italy is gripped by the torrid heat, the idea of ​​having to wear a sweater in the evening makes you dream. And those who regularly visit the high altitudes of Valtellina know well that the heat is not suffered here. With its 1816 meters of height, Livigno is the ideal destination for cooling off in the summer. Not just for professional athletes – atAquagranda it is easy to come across football teams in retreat and swimming or athletics national teams from all over the world – but also for those who love to move on vacation, who finds here everything he could wish for to be active.

Livigno, a sportsmen’s paradise

The proximity to the sky makes it a favorite destination for professional training, Livigno is in fact the only destination in Europe where you can train in the Olympic swimming pool at high altitude so that in September Federica Pellegrini will hold masterclasses for children and adults hereand many national teams from all over the world flock to prepare for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

But even without being professionals, the sports center of Livigno offers a lot for everyone: 25m swimming pool, aquapark with toboggantubs with snorkeling in augmented reality it’s a Wellness center with solarium.

Not to be missed, especially after a day of sport (but also after a day of sun and relaxation). special events organized in the saunas and Turkish bath with the “sauna masters” or a session of Tibetan bells with the Spa manager Silvia, able to move the deepest emotions.

These days it is also possible to visit the beautiful for free exhibition of the Olympic torches, which collects all those used from the first Olympics to today, up to the next one. The whole waiting for Milan-Cortina 2026 which will see the town involved in snowboarding competitions.

In Livigno, waiting for the Olympics

After the appointment of Coni to the fitness and wellness center Aquagranda as an Olympic Training Center, in November 2022 the GOL (Livignasco Olympic Group): a working group of voluntary citizens – each specialized in their own areas of work competence – who have the task of designing and organizing projects to enhance, raise awareness and prepare the community for this great event.

The first project conceived and promoted by the working group was “Livigno Alp Colors”, which featured a group of local teenagers as the protagonist. This activity of urban art he filled the city with murals, to convey important values ​​such as sharing a goal, teamwork and the interpretation and representation of the Olympic value. The artist led the group of teenagers Luke Rancy, street artist, illustrator and award-winning designer of Milanese origins. The cheerful and intense murals color and capture the attention as you cross the town.

Up and down the mountains by e-bike

Livigno and also an ideal destination to explore by e-bike. A 17 km cycle path equipped and comfortable, it runs through the whole valley and, for those who feel more adventurous, the detours along the paths of the tees (the ancient summer huts of the people of Livigno) are within everyone’s reach. As long as you keep in mind a fundamental rule: the more you go up, you have to go down. And it’s not easy with an e-bike if you’re not a little expert. The advice is to contact at the Tourist office or at the many shops that rent bikes to take a guideat least for the first few times.

Thrill seekers in the saddle can enjoy the The Mottolino bike parkWhere practice downhill in the many tracks, with routes that start from a land devoid of vegetation and then unravel inside the wood, rejoining in a final point at the start of the gondola lift. For beginners they also exist “Take it Easy” routes, which wind along a 4.5 km route, with simple passages and a part of the route in the woods, to combine a little nature with this intoxicating experience. On the other hand, those who know the practice well can put themselves to the test forest paths with natural obstacles such as roots, stones and uneven ground.

Live cows and cheeses

Another advantage of starting from 1816 meters is what you can climb to altitude without “tearing” too much. Even a 30-minute walk is enough to reach the pastures that produce cheese. Like theAlpe Mine farmhousewhich offers the possibility not only to taste the cheeses produced at home 2 times a day (less than zero kilometres), but also to assist in the milking and the making of the Bitto and goat cheeses. An exciting experience for both children and adults.

The refuge also offers the possibility of sleep at high altitude and witness life in the mountain pastures, welcomed by a very young family in which everyone, even the children, are exceptional guests and knowledgeable mountaineers. And if you are lucky enough to arrive at milking time, you can also have the experience of personally milking one of their cows, under the watchful eye of little Joele who at 8 years old is already an impeccable cheesemaker.

In the time machine of Livigno

If life in the mountain pastures seems the same as it did 100 years ago, in reality the valley has changed a lot from the 50s to today. And to find out how much, just go to MUS!, the house-museum dedicated to the history and culture of Valtellina, in particular of Livigno and Trepalle. Impossible not to be fascinated by the life of the past, between recipes for mountain pine syrups and hand spinning of wool, that some local ladies teach those who want to try. Open every day of the year, with the exception of December 25th and January 1st, this museum is a surprise and offers lots of very entertaining workshops.

Stroll on the gourmet route

After so much e-biking, sport and walking, we all deserve a delicious dinner. The local gastronomic offer is of the highest level and very varied. If you have then the readiness to book in timethe city of Livigno in July offers a truly unique experience: the Gourmet Trail. Now in its 7th edition, this event is loved by patrons and locals because it allows you to spend a day tasting dishes prepared by renowned chefs, drinking fine wines and discovering something more about the history of Livigno at every step. All while making friends with the diners and having fun.

The route is 5km in the luxuriant nature of the Valle del Vagoand allows you to taste dishes born from collaboration between the chefs of the ACPL and five chefs of the Italian Association of Ambassadors of Taste (ADG), which has always been committed to enhancing and promoting quality Italian cuisine. All while tasting excellent wines “blind”, and whoever guesses what they have drunk has the right to another glass!

Chefs and dishes of 2023

To get an idea of ​​the event, this year’s theme was the Italian Alpine regions. The route was opened by chef Federico Beretta of the “ADG” Feel restaurant in Como who, together with the chefs of the Livigno Chefs and Pastry Chefs Association, proposed five finger food appetizers inspired by Lombardy and dedicated to some of its cities, combined with Costagrossa Brut wine 36 months of the Marchesi di Montalto winery. In the second stage chef Matteo Sormani “ADG” (Locanda Walser Schtuba restaurant in Riale), with the support of ACPL, it gave birth to ad a trio of typical Piedmontese first courses revisited with innovation and creativity, combined with Ël Sartù Langhe Nebbiolo wine by Paruss. These are followed three interludes signed by chef Gloria Clama “ADG” of the Indiniò restaurant in Raveoe by the ACPL cooks brigade, who were served with the Skerk’s Ograde wineamber in color with orange hues.

Trentino Alto Adige was instead the region chosen for the second courses, which have been paired with Vom Lehm Pinot Noir Riserva 2020 wine from the Rohregger Estate. Participants had the opportunity to taste a first course based on Brunalpina meat with hay potatoes and mountain pine fermented 1 year; another based on venison with juniper apple, radishes and polenta; and the last one with pork belly, popcorn, larch pesto, trout roe and sorrel.

In the end, the chef Paolo Griffa “ADG” of the National Coffee of Aosta presented, together with the ACPL cook brigade, five mini desserts accompanied by Chaudelune wine from the Cave Mont Blanc winerywho concluded the journey of taste among the flavors of Northern Italy.

An event that alone deserves a trip to Livigno, the important thing is to remember book as soon as registration opensplaces usually run out in two days.

Where to sleep in Livigno

Li Anta RossaVia Pemont, 648, 23041 Livigno SO
The red windows of Livigno are something very special. This is the only locality in Italy with windows of this colour, characteristic of many houses in the town. Like this small luxurious hotel where you can feel at home, with the addition of a spa and generous and absolutely delicious breakfasts and snacks.

The TresendaVia Dali Mina, 190, 23041 Livigno SO
In this farmhouse with horses, llamas and alpacas, in addition to sleeping and eating well, you can do many activities with the animals.

Where to eat

KosmosVia Bondi, 473a, 23041 Livigno SO
Mountain cuisine revisited in a gourmet key.

Al Mond VeiVia Bondi, 412, 23041 Livigno SO
Tradition and contemporaneity in a historic house with great charm. And if you’re lucky you might see their impressive collection of cow bells.

Brewery 1816, Via Pontiglia, 37, 23041 Livigno SO
One of the highest breweries in Europe produces excellent local beer and offers traditional dishes.

DairyVia Pemont, 911, 23041 Livigno SO
In this cooperative of milk producers you can enjoy sandwiches, wraps, salads and dream ice creams. All made with local milk.

What to buy

Livigno, since the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, it is a free zone, therefore it is possible to purchase products at discounted prices and without VAT. Perfumes, fashion, sports equipment and petrol cost much less here than in Italy. Be careful, however, there is a maximum spending of 300 euros.

Alpe Livignovia Plan 93h Livigno
Here you can buy all the local products of the mountain pastures: cheeses, bresaola and breads of all kinds. Impossible to resist.

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