The route
The key concepts that have led to the creation of Via delle Sorelle were:
- Creating a natural green connection between two heavily urbanised areas with problems related to environmental pollution, in order to show another, little-known facet of the region;
- Being the connective element for the other trails and stage routes in the area, with the purpose of promoting them as a network;
- Bringing the spotlight on environmental or architectural emergency situations which might be fairly unknown, so that they may receive more attention.
The path is 130 km long, with about 3800 m of difference in height, and crosses, in addition to the two provincial capitals Brescia and Bergamo, 34 municipalities, stretching mostly on the hilly portion of the two provinces.
Since it is a two-way route, the wayfarer can choose the city of departure. There are six recommended stages to complete the route, each averaging 20-25 kilometres. However, each walker will be able to adjust time and number of daily kilometres according to his or her level of training, as there is a network of accommodation facilities covering most of the towns along the route.
Each stage has unique natural and cultural features, so it can also be experienced as a day trip and a weekend trip.
In particular, the itinerary passes through:
- The two provincial capitals: Brescia and Bergamo;
- 34 municipalities, with their respective cultural heritage: Collebeato, Concesio, Cellatica, Gussago, Rodengo Saiano, Ome, Monticelli Brusati, Iseo, Provaglio di Iseo, Corte Franca, Adro, Capriolo, Paratico; Sarnico, Credaro, Villongo, Gandosso, Castelli Calepio, Grumello del Monte, Chiuduno, Carrobbio degli Angeli, Gorlago, Montello, Costa di Mezzate, Bagnatica, Brusaporto, Albano S. Alessandro, San Paolo D'Argon, Torre de' Roveri, Scanzorosciate , Villa di Serio, Nembro (and its hamlet Lonno), Alzano Lombardo (hamlets of Brumano - Burro – Olera), Ponteranica.
- 2 Unesco sites: the Venetian defense works of the upper city of Bergamo and the monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia in Brescia;
- 2 regional parks (Parco dei Colli di Bergamo and Oglio Nord regional park);
- 6 Local Parks of supra-municipal interest (Parco delle Colline di Brescia; Naturalserio, Plis of Monte Bastia and Roccolo, Plis of the Argon Valleys, Plis of Malmera, dei Montecchi and Colle degli Angeli and the Plis of the Castles of Monte Tomenone;
- 1 regional reserve (Torbiere del Sebino), as well as several other areas of naturalistic interest;
- 3 DOC-DOCG wine areas (Franciacorta, Val Calepio, Terre del Vescovado);
- 2 Wine Roads (Franciacorta Wine Road and Valcalepio Wine Road and Bergamasca Flavors Road) promoted by the respective associations responsible for the sustainable use of the territory concerned;
- The intersection, with a view to valorisation, with other Paths or paths of significant importance: the Ancient Via Valeriana, the Path 3V, the Path of Santa Giulia, the Green Path of the Oglio, the Via Mercatorum, the Way of the Bishopric, the Way of Charlemagne, the Alta via Delle Grazie;
- Areas characterized by excellent craftsmanship and production districts that represent the industrious identity of the area.