Säumerpfad Avers 5. Etappe: Soglio - Chiavenna

The first section of this impressive hike leads through an ancient chestnut forest below Soglio - more precisely through the regions of Plazza and Brentan. The mighty trees of this cultural landscape are still carefully cared for today. The forest unfolds its full charm especially in autumn, when the traditional Festival della Castagna is celebrated for the chestnut harvest.

A narrow path leads downhill through the Selven and crosses the road several times until it joins a dirt road that runs over a spectacular tunnel behind a waterfall. A little later you reach Castasegna – the last village on Swiss soil. The border is only a few steps away, and beyond it the landscape changes noticeably: the Italian part of Bregaglia begins.

In Italy, you first follow a cycle path to the dam wall of Villa di Chiavenna. The path passes through small hamlets such as San Barnaba and Chete, past chapels of the Via Crucis, through chestnut groves and vineyards. Again and again beautiful views of the valley open up. Particularly impressive are the small round church of Santa Croce and the church of San Martino, which can be reached after crossing two bridges.

Through the open meadows of "La Ruina" you reach the hamlet of Borgonuovo. There the signs point to the well-known waterfalls of the Acquafraggia. The nearby village of Sant'Abbondio tells of the past of the ancient village, which was almost completely destroyed by a flood – only the leaning bell tower remained.

Crossing the wide bed of the Drana stream, the path continues to the stately Palazzo Vertemate, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture that is well worth a visit. The last stretch of the trail runs along the streets of Prosto, past the impressive church with its high bell tower and the soapstone museum. Afterwards, you walk along the traditional grottos through the Glacier Mill Park (Marmitte dei Giganti) and finally, along the riverbank, reach the lively small town of Chiavenna - a place full of history, culture and Italian flair.

• Chestnut nature trail between Soglio and Castasegna.
• Waterfall tunnel near Brentan
• Palazzo Vertemate Franchi
• Enjoy a refreshing gelato in Chiavenna

From Soglio, follow the road towards Promontogno. Shortly after the hamlet of Soglie, a footpath branches off to the left and descends steeply, crosses the road and joins the chestnut woods at the stables of Plazza. There you follow a dirt road to the right towards Castasegna. Shortly afterwards you pass a special highlight: a tunnel leads directly behind a thundering waterfall. You then cross the extensive chestnut groves of Brentan and reach Castasegna.

After the border crossing, the Italian side continues on the cycle path to the reservoir of Villa di Chiavenna. After crossing the dam, you pass San Barnaba and follow the signs for Chete and Canete. A beautiful mule track with small chapels leads down to the cycle path at Giavere. After crossing the bridge, change to the main road and turn into a narrow road to Bregalone with its old chestnut groves.

At Vallata, follow a marked footpath through vineyards to the chapel of Santa Croce, cross two bridges (Mera and Aurosina) and reach the church of San Martino. The route continues through the chestnut groves of Aurogo and across meadows to the Borgonuovo district. There you follow the path to the waterfalls of the Acquafraggia near Sant'Abbondio.

A small road leads near the leaning church tower to the bed of the Drana stream and on to the Palazzo Vertemate, which is well worth seeing. The last section leads through Prosto over the Mera to the striking church with bell tower, past the soapstone museum and the grottos, to the Marmitte dei Giganti (Glacier Mill Park). From there, follow the river cycle path to the centre of Chiavenna.