Greenway of the streams of Bergamo

The journey begins with a beautiful view of Bergamo from Via Sporchia. Skirting the entrance to the Polisportiva dei Colli, you will see the Morla stream on the right, while in front, the dominant greenery slopes down from Città Alta, the historic heart of the city. From Via Castagneta, named after the widespread chestnut groves of the Bergamo hills, take the elevated footbridge near the former Valmarina monastery: you are now in the Parco Regionale dei Colli di Bergamo. The monastery, gently nestled within, was built near the streams in 1150.

The path continues through the woods along Via Strada del Mulino, near the Quisa stream, and leads to the paved climb to the Santuario di Sombreno. Known as the Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary, it was built in the 15th century by merging two sacred buildings: Santa Maria Addolorata and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From the paved climb, continue on a stone road that will lead you to the temple-shaped gate, the entrance to the sanctuary. Inside, besides the artwork from the period, you must admire the "Sombreno bone," a relic from creatures that inhabited the now-vanished prehistoric lake in the area. Before continuing your walk, a rest on the grassy churchyard is recommended to admire the Bergamo mountains.

After leaving behind the magic of the sacred and the profane, the route continues along a section of the Valle Brembana cycle path, leading to the picturesque Santuario della Madonna della Castagna. Located at the foot of the hills, this shrine was built in 1310 after the Madonna appeared to a farmer in the nearby fields, giving the shrine its name.

Behind the sanctuary, the route begins to climb toward Colle Roccolone on a path that becomes uneven in parts. The walk becomes more challenging, surrounded by vegetation where you can see "roccoli," vertical pergola hunting systems now out of use. However, the effort is soon rewarded by a view of the plains. Continue walking, and you’ll find yourself on the paved road of Via Colle dei Roccoli, leading to the Church of San Sebastiano, a historic gem with frescoes dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, narrating the religious history of the area.

To the left of the church, ascend the stairway of Via del Rione to reach the top of Via Ramera, the entry point to the woods along the Sentiero dei Vasi. After completing the stairway on Via del Rione, the path continues flat, skirting agricultural terraces with views extending over Monte Bastia, the temple of Sudorno, and the small valley that hosts the Astino complex below. The route leads to Cà Moroni, a 15th-century farmhouse with old arches, reminiscent of the typical inns of the past, once known as "Frasca."

Now descending, you can still admire the former Valmarina monastery until you return to Via Castagneta, from which you can take the path on the right leading to Via Valverde. Follow the Morla stream to Via Sporchia, where your journey began.