The arrival of autumn does not only mean the end of the summer holidays, return to work or school. In this season, in fact, nature prepares for the long winter break and gives the best of itself to the attentive and curious eye. The days are pleasantly crisp, without the sultriness and heat of summer, and even if the hours of light and the days are a bit short, there are many natural events that make autumn an ​​extremely interesting season.

In our region, Lombardy, there is certainly no shortage of opportunities to fully enjoy autumn and thus remain outdoors. In this article we therefore suggest 10 ideas for excursions and trips to take in Lombardy in autumn. Let’s go and discover them together!

1. Admire the foliage
2. Collect chestnuts
3. Taste apples in Valtellina
4. Listen to the roar of the deer in the Stelvio National Park
5. Mountain bike in Franciacorta
6. Excursion to Oltrepò Pavese
7. Excursion to the natural thermal baths of Bormio (Leonardo’s tubs)
8. Mountain Bike between villages and castles of the Bergamo plain
9. Mountain Bike along the Adda cycle path
10. Excursion along the greenway of Lake Como

1. Admire the Foliage

Best period: October

In autumn the deciduous woods of Lombardy are inflamed with the warm colors of autumn. The leaves turn from summer green to this season’s shades of yellow, orange, red and brown. A real feast for the eyes and for photography enthusiasts. There are numerous alternatives, scattered throughout Lombardy. We mention in particular the most famous, the forest of the baths of Masino in Valtellina and the path of expressions in the Como Val d’Intelvi. But if you want to learn more about the numerous itineraries available, we have written an article dedicated to Foliage in Lombardy, run and read it!

2. Collect chestnuts

Best period: October

Chestnuts are undoubtedly the best-known fruit of autumn There are those who have made the collection of these seasonal fruits a real profession, competing with friends to collect the greatest number. There are those who, on the other hand, take the opportunity to enjoy a bit of nature and a pleasant moment of leisure. Regardless of the type of collector you belong to, in Lombardy there are numerous itineraries scattered throughout the Alpine and pre-Alpine provinces of the region. We pass from the forests of the Corni di Canzo, in the Como area, to the Trompia Valley in Brescia, from the Curone Valley in Brianza to Albaredo San Marco in Valtellina. For the collection of chestnuts in the province of Bergamo, we have written a dedicated article, where you will find numerous locations and suitable itineraries!

3. Taste apples in Valtellina

Best period: early autumn, late September/early October

In addition to chestnuts, autumn is the apple picking season in the mountains. In Lombardy, the largest concentration of cultivations of this fruit is found in the middle Valtellina, with over 1000 hectares of land, and even an IGP variety. In this period of the year it is possible to take pleasant walks along the Via dei Terrazzamenti, and stop in one of the many shops along the way to taste and buy the freshly picked apples. If yellow or red, crunchy or soft, sweet or juicy, you choose!

4. Listen to the bellowing of the deer in the Stelvio National Park

Best period: early autumn, late September/early October

In autumn, the alpine forests echo with the powerful love calls of deer, the roars. In fact, early October is the mating season for these noble ungulates. It therefore becomes easier (but not obvious!) to be able to admire these animals in the environment. In Lombardy, the area with a high concentration of deer is that of the Stelvio National Park, in the upper Valtellina and Camonica. In particular, we mention two easy excursions to arm yourself with binoculars and a camera: the Camuna Val Grande and the Val Zebrù in Valtellina.

5. Mountain Biking in Franciacorta

Best period: September

Autumn is the season of grape harvest and Novello wine. In this period of the year, the farms and cellars of the whole region are busy with the work of harvesting the grapes and filling the barrels. Lombardy also boasts several areas of excellence for wine production. One of these is Franciacorta, at the foot of Sebino. An excellent way to visit this region and combine the excursion with a visit to the cellar is to cover it with a mountain bike. The rolling hills of Franciacorta offer itineraries suitable for everyone. And for the lazy ones, you can always opt for an electric bicycle!

6. Excursion to Oltrepò Pavese

Best period: October

Still on the subject of wine, another area of ​​excellence in Lombardy is the Oltrepò Pavese. On these rolling hills, a transition between the Lombard plain and the Apennines, wine and good food are the masters. In fact, the “Strada del Vino e dei Sapori” is very famous, a route over 60 km long where you will find numerous farms and local producers who will allow you to visit, assist, taste and buy their zero kilometer products. It ranges from fine wines such as Bonarda DOC to cured meats such as salami and coppa, from agnolotti to risotto!

7. Excursion to the natural thermal baths of Bormio (Leonardo’s tanks)

Best period: November

With the arrival of the first cool autumn days, it is pleasant to immerse yourself in the pools of hot thermal water. Lombardy is full of private structures used for this purpose, generally inserted in luxurious contexts. But we want to offer you a wilder alternative, in BergamoXP style. After Bormio, along the road that goes up to Livigno, it is in fact possible to leave the car and go along an easy path in the woods which, in about 15 minutes, will take us to these natural pools, which can be used freely. They are formed by a spring of thermal water which then flows into the Braulio stream, and are also called Leonardo’s Tanks, because the famous inventor was among the first to write about them during his years of stay in Lombardy.

8. Mountain Bike between villages and castles of the Bergamo plain

Best period: October/November

Far from the heat that cloaks the Lombard plain in summer, a mountain bike excursion to the villages and castles of the Bergamo plain in autumn is a trip of great charm. In a single day, with an itinerary of about 50 km, it is possible to visit the castles of Cavenago and Malpaga, to continue along the Serio cycle path between farmhouses and cultivated fields until you reach the historic village of Romano di Lombardia. From here towards Pagazzano to admire the splendid Visconti castle. Before returning, you will also have the opportunity to admire one of the most beautiful fountains (resurgence areas typical of the Lombard plain), the Brancaleone fountain.

9. Moutain Bike along the Adda cycle path

Best period: October/November

Another itinerary of great historical and naturalistic charm to be covered by mountain bike is the one that branches off along the Adda cycle path, inside the Adda Nord Park. Starting from Lecco and arriving as far as Trezzo d’Adda, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the woods, for the occasion tinged with autumn colors, which surround the banks of the placid river. Along the way you will also be able to observe the stupendous buildings of the Esterle, Bertini and Taccani power plants, dating back to the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.

10. Excursion along the greenway of Como Lake

Best period: October/November

Autumn is the best season to travel the route that runs along the Como side of the Lario and which takes the name of Greenway of Como Lake . About 10 kilometers long, it crosses the villages of Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo and Griante. During the itinerary, in summer often under the scorching sun and therefore less recommendable, we will be able to admire some of the pearls that have made this area of ​​Lombardy famous, such as Isola Comacina, Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, as well as to splendid views between the lake and the mountains.

BergamoXP

BergamoXP is the first aquatic sports center in the province of Bergamo. We are a team of nature enthusiasts, outdoor and adventure lovers, connoisseurs of our territory and professionals specializing in the disciplines of Kayak, Canyoning, Rafting, Hydrospeed, River Trekking.

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