Via Priula

Via Priula is the Lombardy long-distance hiking route that retraces the old 1593 Venetian road line across the San Marco Pass (around 1,991 m). It is built around the same corridor that historically linked the Bergamo side with Valtellina, with the pass acting as the main high point between valleys.

Hike it as a multi-day itinerary: the full route is organized in stages and takes about 16 hours 45 minutes on foot for the classic walk, with a total vertical ascent reported at 2,518 m and overall descent around 906 m. The format suits long days or splitting into several stages with overnight stops in the towns along the itinerary.

On the approach to the pass, the climb is the key work: stage 1 focuses on ascending out of the Brembana area toward San Marco Pass, passing through Olmo al Brembo and Mezzoldo on the way in a south-to-north progression. The route is described as following ancient mule trails in the mountainous stretches, while the lower sections in the valleys are more road-and-track oriented.

At the summit area, you reach the San Marco Pass, where the route crosses into the Orobic Alps and continues the descent toward Albaredo San Marco and the Valtellina side (Valtellina/Val Brembana to the Valtellina direction). The pass-area infrastructure includes the Ca’ San Marco area (a custodians’ house associated with the pass) and a “San Marco 2000” refuge near the top.

If you want a shorter outing instead of the full itinerary, a popular segment is the climb from Morbegno toward the Passo San Marco (San Marco Pass). This is typically treated as a day hike segment focused on reaching the pass rather than continuing the whole multi-stage route.

The route is signed as Via Priula along the way, and its trail surface mix is consistent with the historical character: unpaved paths/track sections interlock with asphalt where the old alignment runs through developed valley corridors. For route navigation, follow the Via Priula waymarking and the historical road line through the villages rather than expecting a single continuous trail type.

More information: Via Priula Trek: Venetian Trade Route Morbegno to Bergamo, Route: Via Priula (Italy) - Fastest Known Time, Via Priula - Vie Storiche Valle Brembana