Tàrtano Pass, from Tartano

Access

From Milan to Morbegno along State Roads 36 and 38; continue in the direction of Sondrio until just beyond the viaduct over the wide pebbly shore of the Tartano stream: turn right onto the provincial road which, ascending the mountainside with numerous hairpin bends, leads to the municipality of Tartano. Depending on the snow conditions, you can continue into Valle Lunga until you reach a parking area (usually very crowded).

Description

From the car park (1450m), continue until you come to a small bridge on the right, which you cross; continue on a slope until you come to a pair of huts at an altitude of 1550m. From here, continue uphill on a strip of uneven terrain that narrows between the forest and the stream: at the convergence, take a very steep wooded "gully" on the right, smoothed by the descent (the only truly difficult stretch of the trip). At the end of the 'gully', the track flattens out on the pastures of Casera Porcile 1803m. From here, following the numerous tracks, you ascend with alternating traverses some rounded humps; you pass by the Baita Làres 1900m and, a little further on, you can head towards the Passo Tartano 2105m, characterised by a high metal cross. Descent along the outward route. It is more enjoyable to start 200m east of the pass: the slope, protected by a harmless cornice, is a little longer, steep and regular. Photo gallery