Starting point: Bormio (1.225 m) – Hauptplatz Kuerc
Finishing point: Bormio
Best time of year: March to October
Difference in altitude: 300 metres
Duration: 2,5 – 3 hours

The path of the "Pedemontana", situated in the woods just above Bormio, at the foot of the steep slopes of the limestone mountains, had been built during the First World War (1914 – 1918) for military purposes. Today it is a very pouplar and easy to walk on path. Its location to the south makes it protected from the wind and thus it is an adequat walking area for all year round.

Description of the Hike:
The route can be started in the centre of Bormio, at the main square Piazza del Kuerc. The name comes from the form of the roof of Bormio's landmark. "Kuerc" means in dialect "lid". From the main square, you walk into the Via della Vittoria and then take a right into the Via del Buon Consiglio. At the end of this Via, there is the Palazzo de Simoni, which host the town hall and the museum of Bormio.

Now you walk on through the Via San Francesco until its crossing with the Via Monte Braulio, from there, turn right up to the crossing with the steep Via Rovinaccia. Again, you turn right and walk up to the Via Sertorelli, wich is slightly ascending and has some switchbacks, walking through a quiet part of the town with a view to the valley of Bormio. Following the signs you reach the Botanic Garden (Giardino Botanico) "Rezia", which is opened in summer and even in winter on demand. The bus service brings you to the Botanic Garden as well.

On the left side of the entrance to the Garden, you'll find maps of hiking paths in this area. You follow the signs to Pravasivo (path number 32 - 33), walking up the path to the left of the Botanic Garden and along the little river Valle di Campello. After about 50 metres, after some steps, a wide footpath leads you through a pine-tree wood until you reach the main path of the Pedemontana, which connects as well with the Bagni Vecchi. Walking alont this main path, you come to a larch wood. At the edge of the road, a lot of berries can be collected during summer. This wood, which shows beautiful colours in autumn, has probably been laid out. Some decades ago, larch woods often have been laid out in order to produce wood and, on the other hand, to use the alpine meadows for cattle-breeding.

Passing various bifurcations, (e.g. the one for "Gesa Rota" brings you directly back to Bormio), you walk straight on into the direction of Pramezzano until the glade "Pian de la Reit" (1.520 m), where a rest is recommended. Then the path ascends further on, for the next 150 - 300 metres, and then offers, staying at the same height for a while, surprising views to the surrounding mountains of the "Magnifica Terra". On of them is the Cima Piazzi, to be seen in the south-west, with its glacier around the peak. When you pass a wooden cross, the downhill begins.

At a crossing, taking a right, you will reach Uzza. From there, you get to the mountain lodges of Pramezzano (1.429 m). Following the sign for Bormio, you walk straight on, crossing beautiful alpine meadows and a little pine-tree wood. When this small path meets a wider main path, you get to the ruins of S. Pietro (Gesa Rota), the old castle, which was built in this dominating position high above the historical centre of Bormio. From this point, you descend again down to the Via Buon Consiglio and then, taking a left, to the main square, the "Kuerc".