Walking tour through history, lake and culture
5 February 2026
Valsassina with children: authentic nature, cycling and mountain festivals
When the heat in the plains becomes unbearable, there's a place – just above Lecco – that seems made specifically for catching your breath and filling your eyes with green: The Valsassina. A valley that opens up like a breach in the mountains, where the lake gives way to forests, meadows, rocky peaks and the voices of the villages, made of a decided accent and rough hands. A genuine place, perfect for families In search of nature, simplicity and authenticity.
Anyone who, like me, grew up among the Lombard lakes, knows that feeling well when driving from Lecco towards Barzio: the landscape becomes rougher, the roads narrow, the air freshens. In an instant, you go from the city to the open breath of the mountains. And here, The Valsassina to give true emotions, especially if travelling with children.
Valsassina isn't as gentle as the Dolomites, nor as refined as certain valleys in Trentino. It's Stubborn, practical, proud. And perhaps it's precisely for this reason that it fascinates. Here the mountain isn't a shop window, but Living space, where the houses are made of stone, heavy work is still done by hand, and the rhythms are those of nature.
The children immediately breathe in this change of air. Valsassina is made for them: meadows to run in, streams to play in, cycle paths through the woods, animals to pet. And then there's that rare feeling of to be truly “out of this world”, although Milan is less than an hour's drive away.
These are the seasons of colour. In spring The Valsassina cycle path, from Taceno to Barzio, is an invitation to pedal calmly amidst the greenery and the Pioverna river. In autumn, however, it's time for Chestnuts and mushroomsSimply head up towards Piani d’Erna or Artavaggio to soak up the foliage and pick the sweet fruits of the undergrowth.
In winter, children dream of snow: the Cable car from Barzio to Piani di Bobbio It takes you, in a few minutes, into a white world where you can ski, sled, and play in the snow without spending exaggerated amounts of money.
But summer is the true golden moment for this valley: Village fetes, popular festivals, street markets, barbecues, easy hikes and full days spent outdoors. Every town – from Primaluna to Taceno, from Cortenova to Barzio – has its own events calendar. The most famous? The Festival of Festivals In August in Pasturo, a true valley festival, with local produce, shows, and fireworks.
For those who love walking, Valsassina is a treasure trove of family-friendly trails:
Riva Refuge, with a gentle climb and the possibility of seeing eagles soaring overhead;
Muggio Mountain Ring, unbeatable view and limited difficulty;
Alpe Camaggiore e Pian delle Betulle, reachable on foot or by cable car;
Valle dei Forni, Premana, where in the summer there are also “past”, ancient festivals in the mountain pastures;
Troggia and Sprizzottolo Waterfalls at Introbio, ideal for short, refreshing walks.
And for those who don't want to walk too much, there are the Farms, I horses, the Billy goats and the asinelliAn irresistible call for little explorers.
La Valsassina is also Land of legends. And what child doesn't love a good story? Parlasco, for example, the facades of houses are frescoed with scenes that tell the deeds (true or presumed) of Lasco, the bandit of the valley, a nobleman by day and an outlaw by night. A sort of Lecco Robin Hood, who is also the protagonist of a historical novel you can read as a family before your trip.
La Pioverna Cycle Path It's 12 km long, flat, and surrounded by greenery: perfect for families. Those who just want to relax can stop at one of the many roadside restaurants for A polenta with local cheeses, or having a cold beer on a bench at the village festival, with the children playing on the grass and the mountains as a backdrop.
Valsassina is a small, wild, and welcoming world., where the mountain is still authentic and tourism has the face of the locals. It is the ideal place to rediscover contact with nature, the simplicity of true things, and to give children unforgettable experiences.
📝 My advice as a journalist who is in love with these landsBring a book, a sandwich and a great desire to breathe. Because here, among the stones of the paths and the smell of wood in the chimneys, we become a bit like children again too. And this, believe me, is worth the journey.
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