Via Bregaglia 3rd stage: Soglio - Chiavenna

The continuation to Castasegna follows the paved road leading towards Promontogno. About 100 m after Soglio, near a small building, a narrow footpath branches off to the left. It heads down quite directly, crossing the road and emerging near the Plazza barns among the chestnut trees. At this point, you turn onto a natural road that branches to the right (with a signpost to Castasegna). Shortly after, you can experience a charming example of alpine road construction. The road crosses the wild stream via a tunnel behind a mighty waterfall. The last stretch runs through the extensive chestnut groves of Brentan to the houses of Castasegna.
After the border post, you enter the Italian part of the Bergell and follow the cycle path to the Villa di Chiavenna reservoir. You cross the dam and reach the San Barnaba district. The yellow signposts lead to Chete, then you follow the municipal road and afterwards a footpath to Canete. A lovely mule track, lined with small wayside chapels of the Via Crucis, leads down to the fork at the small dam. Shortly before, you turn left and again follow the cycle path to the Giavere district. Again, you cross the bridge to the other side of the valley and then over the main road; after that, you turn onto a small, initially paved road to the village of Bregalone, which has beautiful chestnut groves. After the Vallata barns, the signposts lead left onto a footpath through chestnut groves and vineyards that runs to the Santa Croce hamlet, where the small and very old round church stands. After crossing two bridges, first over the Mera, then over the Aurosina stream, you pass the beautiful San Martino church. The paved little road crosses the Aurogo chestnut grove and later reaches the wide meadows in the area called “La Ruina.”
Arriving at the houses of the Borgonuovo hamlet, you walk through the village streets towards the Acquafraggia waterfalls and the nearby village of Sant’Abbondio. A small road near the solitary leaning church tower, the only testimony that survived the flood of the old village of Sant Abbondio, leads to the crossing of the wide Drana streambed and beyond that continues to the Palazzo Vertemate, whose visit is highly recommended. The final section of this long path first follows the village streets of Prosto and then heads towards the church beyond the bridge over the Mera. This church is easily recognizable by its tall bell tower (a few steps from here is the interesting steatite museum with workshop); further along, following the grotti of Prosto, you enter the glacier mill park area (Marmitte dei Giganti), follow the cycle path along the riverbank, and easily reach the town of Chiavenna.