The "Alta Via delle Grazie" Walk

The first 22km will take you from Bergamo to Selvino. The walk starts at the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Bergamo’s lower town and you will arrive in Selvino, stopping at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Monte Perello, in the town of Algua. At the end of the first day, you will find refreshments and accommodation at the Hotel Marcellino in Selvino, or the Poieto Refuge or Baita de l'Angel B&B in Aviatico.

From Selvino you will leave for Vertova, and during the 16km path you can admire Val de Gru, a place of particular naturalistic attraction, off the beaten track that preserves an old peasant world and the Vertova Valley, a treasure trove of natural beauty. At the end of the route you can find hospitality at the Bed and Bike La Valvertova and eat at special prices at San Lorenzo restaurant and pizzeria.

On the third day, from Vertova we will arrive at the Sanctuary of Madonna del Frassino in Oneta. On this 17km route do not miss the Sanctuary of San Patrizio and the village of Barbata, characterised by only a few houses and the Church of Madonna della Mercede, surrounded by nature. Once arrived at your destination you can rest in an apartment dedicated to pilgrims. Next to the Sanctuary, at the Trattoria Frassino you can dine with an excellent typical menu for pilgrims.

The goal of the fourth day is Parre. From the sanctuary, you pass through the Zambla Pass and arrive in Gorno. Along the Upper Serio path you reach Premolo, where you can stop or continue and visit the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Lacrime in Ponte Nossa and arrive in Parre. The credential can be stamped in Premolo in the Museum of the Crypt of Don Antonio Seghezzi, at the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Lacrime in Ponte Nossa, at the Parre Proloco and in the reception areas.

On the fifth day, the 18km route will take you from Parre to Novazza, a hamlet in Valgoglio. You will visit the evocative Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity and pass on the characteristic "dancing bridge" of Villa d’Ogna. You will continue passing through the village of Bani di Ardesio until you reach Novazza to end the journey and find hospitality.

On the sixth day, we leave Novazza towards the next destination, Lizzola, a hamlet in Valbondione. Along the way you go through Gromo which, thanks to its ancient historic centre and its landscape, has been awarded the title of "most beautiful village in Italy". You can admire the beauties scattered throughout the streets of the village and the parish church houses numerous prestigious artworks. Continue towards Valbondione and the characteristic mountain village of Maslana. At the end of the path you will find hospitality at the Gioan hotel in Lizzola.

On the seventh day, after reaching the highest point of the Alta Via delle Grazie Walk, the small Church of Madonna Pellegrina at the Manina pass, the descent begins. You will stop in Ardesio, where you will find the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie, one of the best-known points of the entire journey. You can rest at Casa del Pellegrino in Ardesio.

From Ardesio to Castione della Presolana, the eighth day, walking a distance of 20km. In Clusone you will stop at the Sanctuary of Beata Vergine Addolorata del Paradiso, located in the city centre and at the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. Do not miss the Oratory dei Disciplini, where you can admire the Dance of Death. On the road that connects Clusone to Rovetta you will reach the Sanctuary of Madonna di Sommaprada. The arrival is scheduled in Castione della Presolana, a medieval village with a historic centre characterised by artistic riches.

The ninth day will take you from Castione della Presolana, in the Seriana Valley, to the upper part of Lake Iseo and more precisely to Lovere, along a route of about 30km. In Dorga, a hamlet of Castione, you can visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie in Lantana and, on the road between Songavazzo and Cerete, in the hamlet of Novezio, you will come across the Sanctuary of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. During this stage, you can admire the wonderful natural landscape of the Tede Valley and the historic centre of Songavazzo, characterised by rural and manor houses in perfect Orobic style. From here you will move towards Upper and Lower Cerete, up to Sovere, where the beautiful Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Tower is located. Crossing the valley of the Borlezza river you will then reach the Convent of the Capuchin Friars in Lovere. After admiring the view of the lake below, you will reach the historic centre of the village, the arrival point of this stage.

On the tenth day, from Lovere you will leave by ferry for Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Europe. In Lovere, you can visit the ancient Basilica of Santa Maria in Valvendra, while on Monte Isola you will walk the path that will lead you to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola, the most panoramic point. You will then return by ferry to Lovere.

For the eleventh day of walking, from Lovere you will return to the Seriana Valley, and precisely to Gandino, along a 29km route immersed in numerous natural beauties. Given the length of the stage, the use of public transport is recommended for the transfer from Lovere to the Sovere convent. From here go up until you reach a small clearing where you will take the CAI path 563 to the Malga Lunga Refuge, home to the Museum of the Bergamasca Resistance. You will then reach the Sanctuary of the Madonna d’Erbia in Casnigo. A little further you will arrive near the Sanctuary of the SS. Trinity, defined as the “small Sistine Chapel of Bergamo”. The arrival of this stage is in Gandino, where there is the majestic Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and you can find hospitality at the home of the Ursuline Sisters.

On the twelfth day, you will go from Gandino to Fiobbio. In Vall'Alta, in a panoramic position surrounded by woods, you will find the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Monte Altino and, going towards Fiobbio, in Cenate Sopra you will reach the Church of Santa Maria del Misma, a hermitage on the side of the mountain. Adjacent to the church there are two hostels where you can rest.

The last 27km of the Alta Via delle Grazie route will take you to Bergamo. Along the route from Fiobbio to Bergamo, you will reach Desenzano d'Albino, where you can visit the Sanctuary of Madonna del Miracolo della Gamba, an important symbol of the village and in Albino there is the Sanctuary of Madonna del Pianto, overlooking the city's crossroads. In Nembro you will stop at the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy, or of Zuccarello and in Alzano Lombardo you can visit the San Martino Vescovo Basilica. In Bergamo, in Borgo S. Caterina, is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows and, finally, you will reach the centre point of faith in the city and the final destination of the whole of the Alta Via delle Grazie Walk, the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in the Upper Town.