Ancient Valeriana Road

The route develops along the inland of the eastern shore of the lake, from Pilzone d'Iseo to Pisogne, passing through the territories of Sulzano, Sale Marasino, Marone, and Zone. The journey is very suggestive, as it is always accompanied by the view of Lake Iseo and the surrounding mountains. It features an alternation of country roads and trails, dirt and paved roads with low traffic, sometimes bordered by a stone wall. The Valeriana is easily walkable up to Marone, through the villages of Gazzane, Tassano, Maspiano, Gandizzano, Marasino, Conche, Distone, Dosso and Massenzano, hilly localities of Sulzano and Sale Marasino. From here the route climbs, developing north of Marone, among the hamlets of Vesto, Pregasso, and Colpiano, where the ascent towards Zone begins. Here, indeed, the Erosion Pyramids appear, evidence of the glacier passage during the Wurm glaciation. The road continues, crossing the hamlet of Cislano and the village of Zone until reaching the Zone Cross (903 m). After passing the Zone Cross, Pisogne is reached in about an hour and a half and the last stretch of the trail is walked, characterized by spruce and beech woods, interspersed with meadows, farmhouses, and pastures. The Ancient Valeriana Road is also mentioned as a “devotional route”. Remarkable is, in fact, the presence of small churches, sanctuaries, hermitages, and chapels, which in the past served the function of assistance and refreshment for travelers and pilgrims, and today help characterize the route and determine its historical importance. Considering the length of the route, it is recommended to walk it in stages and use the navigation service or the regional railway line to reach the various locations.