Itinerary at the foot of Monte Orfano

The route begins in Rovato in Via Piedimonte, near Santuario della Madonna di S. Stefano, with a car park.

After visiting this fine sanctuary climb the clear cobbled road to Convento dell’Annunziata after which the road continues to Rovato’s war memorial and Rifugio degli Alpini where it gives way to a footpath and continues a little further to the Genovesina farmhouse with its wide open views over the vineyards below in the direction of Coccaglio. Continuing along the ridge, with wide open views over Franciacorta and the Alpine foothills, it reaches Madonnina and then a helicopter landing area in fields near the peak, called Croce Villa di Erbusco, a good place to stop for a break. Continue along the ridge to an asphalt road which you then follow as it descends to the village of Cologne which you get to on a forest footpath on the left which emerges in Via Fratelli Facchetti. Turn left here and continue along the cycle track to Via Brodo di Cappone, near a shrine where you take a gravel footpath on your right skirting Seriola Fusia. Bearing left on this you continue along fields and vineyards with views of Monte Orfano. Pass through Cologne in this way and continue along the same footpath past Coccaglio village too. The route ends near a small bridge which you do not cross, bearing right along Via Pie di Monte which climbs gently to your starting point at Santuario della Madonna di S. Stefano.