The departure from the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Walls of Bergamo's Città Alta is only the beginning of a stage that never ceases to amaze. It includes a variety of paths, landscapes, and altitudes, and crosses places where time seems to have stopped. An immersion in Colli di Bergamo Regional Park, Maresana hill, and the small ancient world of Olera, a medieval village in Lower Val Seriana. Plus: the ancient Via Mercatorum and its Zuccarello Shrine in Nembro. The stage continues to Scanzorosciate, if you choose to take the longer route.

The first stage starts from Piazza Vecchia in Bergamo Alta. After passing through the Sant’Alessandro gate, the route climbs towards Colle di San Vigilio, the best vantage point from which to take in the whole of the Upper Town at a single glance, before joining the scenic path along Via alle Case Moroni and Via del Rione, from where you can enjoy a stunning view of the city’s terraced vegetable gardens and the former Astino Monastery. From here, the route follows the Quisa cycle path through the Colli di Bergamo Regional Park to reach Colle dei Roccoli. It continues towards Ponteranica, passing the church of the same name and the Grotta di Lourdes Sanctuary, before climbing up to the hamlet of Rosciano. After passing the Maresana hill and Ca del Latte, you head towards the village of Olera via the Via Crucis. The wonderful view in the silent atmosphere of the churchyard of the Church of San Rocco are worth a stop. From there, you pass the hamlet of Burro and proceed to the Church of Trasfigurazione di Nostro Signore in Brumano and then take CAI Trail No. 535, descending to the village of Lonno.

For those who choose VIA DIRETTA (direct route).  You head toward downtown Nembro via the ancient Via Mercatorum and pass by the Shrine of Madonna dello Zuccarello.

For those who choose the VIA TRAVERSA (side route). From Nembro, continue in the direction of Scanzorosciate, famous for the production of Moscato di Scanzo DOCG. Skirting Serio River, proceed through the town of Villa di Serio until you reach the village of Scanzo.

POIs: Historic funicular, Venetian walls, Città Alta, Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Church of San Rocco, Borgo di Olera, Zuccarello Shrine Museum

Natural POIs: San Vigilio, Case Moroni, Maresana, Colli di Bergamo Regional Park

Municipalities crossed: Bergamo, Ponteranica, Alzano Lombardo, Nembro, Scanzorosciate

ROUTES CROSSED: Cammino di Carlo Magno, Alta Via delle Grazie, Via Mercatorum