Monte Clemo Loop Trekking

Starting from the Pianico sports field, take Via Papa Giovanni XXIII and then turn left onto Via Roma, where the CAI 565 trail sign is painted on a wall. Follow the road, which is quite steep, passing under the SS42 until you reach the entrance of trail no. 565. The proposed route begins by taking the trail on the right, uphill, marked with a sign on a tree and the sign “Panoramica – Valle del Freddo”.

Then you enter a forest and, after about 2.5 kilometers of ups and downs, you reach the borders of the Valle del Freddo Nature Reserve. Continue walking along the well-marked trail, which proceeds uphill along the left side of the valley, surrounded by hazel and ash trees. On the right, you start to glimpse the small Lake Gaiano and part of Lake Endine.

Trail 565 leads, after one and a half kilometers, behind the village of Esmate (Solto Collina). Walk a few meters along Via S. Lucia, then turn left, uphill, to take the CAI 565A trail, which leads to the summit of Monte Na (708 m), from which you can enjoy views of the upper Val Cavallina and Val Borlezza. Pay particular attention to the white-red trail markers painted on some boulders or trees, as they are not always clearly visible. The path partly coincides with the “Sentiero dei Massi Erratici”.

After the climb, pass a gate that prevents motor vehicles from passing and begin descending through the forest, staying below the summit of Monte Clemo, until you reach the paved road near the small church of San Rocco. Behind the building, there are wooden signs for the “Sentiero Natura del Sebino” and for the CAI 565 B and C trails, which you follow.

After a few meters, you can take trail 565C towards San Defendente, a panoramic viewpoint that offers breathtaking views of Lake Iseo. Following trail 565B, continue descending and, after one and a half kilometers, the path reconnects with trail 565, which you follow in the direction of Lovere, enjoying scenic views of Upper Lake Iseo, dominated by the imposing Corna Trentapassi.

After passing a small rest area with a view of the town of Lovere, you soon reach a fork with several signs. Follow the indications for Pianico / Valle del Freddo (again, trail no. 565). The route shortly returns to the start of the itinerary, where you had taken the trail on the right, now on the left. Retrace your steps until you reach the starting point.