Two cross-country ski loops of different lengths, biking activities in La Fonte, a natural ice rink and hiking trails with different starting points give Santa Caterina Valfurva several concrete options for planning your day. To choose, consider whether you prefer a loop, a trail that can be extended, or a starting point that requires you to plan your own journey there.
Cross-country skiing on the Pista Valtellina
The Pista Valtellina is located at an altitude of 1,800 metres and offers five- and ten-kilometre cross-country ski loops. Both run through a wide plain and dense forests. The route lengths offer a clear choice for your own loop; the plain and forest are part of both routes.
The La Fonte centre, run by the instructors of the cross-country ski school, is located at the start of the Pista Valtellina. It has changing rooms, showers, a waxing room, and storage for clothing and equipment. As services may change, it is advisable to check the current availability of the facilities before your visit.
Biking activities and ice rink
The Santa Caterina Outdoor Bike School in La Fonte offers individual and group lessons, guided excursions and mountain bike rentals. These options differ in format for planning your day: instruction, a guided ride, or a rented mountain bike.
Santa Caterina also has a natural ice rink, with equipment available for hire nearby. If you plan to go skating, it is best to check the rink’s current operating status and rental availability before your visit.
Hiking trails with different profiles
Two circular trails differ in difficulty rating and starting point: the Sentiero della Grande Guerra is challenging and starts and ends at Rifugio Sunny Valley. The marked Percorso dei Fiocchi loop starts at the La Fonte centre and can be walked without a guide. Winter conditions may affect whether it is accessible.
The Sentiero delle Sorgenti leads from La Fonte through the forest to the village of Plaghera. From there, you can continue along the Sentiero Ponte delle Vacche. The Sentiero dei Forni, by contrast, starts in the village square and follows Via Forni alongside the Frodolfo River to Rifugio Forni.
There are several ways to plan a hike: a challenging loop, a marked circular trail that does not require a guide, and trails with a named destination or the option to continue further. Before setting out, it is advisable to check current trail conditions.
Access to Valle dei Forni and Val ZebrĂą
From Santa Caterina, you can reach Valle dei Forni via a four-kilometre paved road. There are large car parks in the village of Forni; well-marked trails and the main hikes start from there. The Sentiero dei Forni, by contrast, starts in the village square and follows Via Forni alongside the Frodolfo River to Rifugio Forni.
Val ZebrĂą requires a different approach: the valley is accessible only on foot. There are car parks in Niblogo and in Le Fantelle, a hamlet of Madonna dei Monti. If you plan to use this access point, check the current parking and access rules in advance.
Discover more destinations: Campo, Sassella, Grosio, Mello, Teglio, Oga, Chiesa In Valmalenco, Tirano.
For the overview of the wider area: Sondrio.
