Surrounding Area
Situated facing the vast Forni Glacier the C. Branca Mountain Shelter overlooks the small underlying Rosole lake and is surrounded and framed by the mythical “Tredici Cime” (Thirteen Peaks) (Cevedale, Palòn de la Mare, Vioz, Taviela, Pejo, S.Matteo, Tresero). It is easy to reach from Upper Valtellina. From Bormio, having reached the village of S. Caterina Valfurva, at the first fork in the road keep left and continue along the tarred road as far as the Forni locality (2,176 mts. above sea level), where you park your car in the spacious parking area.
From here, the C. Branca Mountain Shelter is signposted as at a distance of one hour, take the unsurfaced road leading to the small artificial AEM barring-gate. Having passed this, you start to climb gently keeping always to the right of the Cedec stream, which is later crossed on a wooden bridge. On the final short stretch, the climb becomes steeper for a couple of bends and then becomes level again as far as your destination. The C. Branca Mountain Shelter can also be reached from Martello Valley and from Solda crossing the Cevedale Glacier and due to its central position, is the best departure point for ski-touring and excursions in all the Ortles-Cevedale range, without the necessity of continual transfers from one place to another with your luggage.
In the case of bad weather the closeness to the Bormio Spa Resort allows you to benefit from a relaxing and tonifying alternative. The Bagni di Bormio Spas have offered from the first century B.C. the philosophy and culture of the Roman Baths, as a place of wellbeing, pleasure, gathering, entertainment, and detoxifying and relaxing social life for those who are looking for a moment away from the daily stress of city life.
The Bormio thermal waters gush forth from 9 springs, placed at different altitudes (from 1,250 to 1,480 mts. above sea level), at temperatures varying from 36° to 43° depending on the seasons. Hot thermal spa waters + all year round skiing + National Park: Bormio, is the only tourist mountain region in the World able to make such a complete offer, a further reason for choosing Alta Valtellina for your holidays.