Cancano

The two artificial lakes are 'protected' by the famous Fraele Towers, which are today the symbol of Valdidentro.

Totally immersed in the Stelvio National Park, the Cancano valley, with its homonymous lakes, represents one of the most evocative areas of the territory, with a unique naturalistic and historical appeal.

The ascent and the Fraele Towers

A 'Little Stelvio' is what the road to the Cancano Lakes is called today.

Made even more famous by the stage finish of the Giro d'Italia in 2020, it has now become one of the classic, unmissable climbs of the Alta Valtellina, both by mountain bike and road bike. The iconic 21 hairpin bends lead to the entrance of the Fraele Valley, at an altitude of 1950 meters, "protected" by the legendary homonymous Towers, today the symbol of Valdidentro.

Among the fortification works in the area, the two Towers, built in 1931, undoubtedly occupy a prominent place among the most evocative and historically important ones. The ruins preserved to this day are what remains of the most advanced military outpost of the local defense system. In the past, the Salt and Wine Route was an obligatory passage for trade relations with northern Europe, passing through Cancano.

The Cancano lakes

A scenic pearl of rare beauty, the Cancano Lakes represent a small paradise at high altitude in the heart of the Stelvio National Park, which, at 130,700 hectares, is one of the largest parks in Europe. This natural sanctuary is home to various Alpine flora and fauna. Here, nature is pristine and reigns supreme, offering hikers, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts a unique environment in which to immerse themselves, a lure for those who wish to get close to the wilderness of the Italian Alps, allowing themselves to be enchanted by the timeless beauty of a scenery framed by green pastures and imposing rocky peaks.

However, the Cancano dams also represent an extraordinary feat of engineering. Built in the 1920s and 1930s, they exploited the abundance of water from the surrounding alpine lakes to produce hydroelectric power. Their construction required great technical skill and commitment, involving an entire community in the realization of these imposing structures. Today, in addition to supplying energy, they contribute to creating a unique setting among the peaks of the Stelvio.

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Trekking & Mountain Bike

The mountains surrounding the Cancano area contain an extraordinary natural heritage, with paths winding through coniferous forests, expanses of alpine flowers, and glacial valleys. Flat paths for families, fascinating natural basins to discover, adrenaline-pumping trails for keen bikers, hiking climbs with dreamy views: a valley suitable for everyone.

The Tour of the Lakes, which is almost flat, skirts the two reservoirs and runs along a wide dirt road of around 19 km. The whole family can travel on foot or by mountain bike. Numerous paths wind towards the spectacular side valleys, making it possible to reach nearby places such as Livigno through Val Alpisella, the legendary Stelvio Pass along the Forcola Valley, or Switzerland, passing through Val Mora and Valle del Gallo.

The ascent to the Croce del Monte Scale (Mount Stair Cross) is a privileged vantage point over Valdidentro, the Bormio basin, and the majestic surrounding peaks, among which the Queen Cima Piazzi stands out.

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Energy2Run Cancano

An exciting trail-running challenge in the beautiful setting of the Cancano Lakes, which every year attracts an increasing number of athletes and enthusiasts to Valdidentro, eager to put themselves to the test on a high-altitude track that is not very demanding from a technical point of view, but highly fascinating from a landscape and historical perspective.

Organized by the Valdidentro Tourist Office, the sporting event has become an increasingly incisive running experience in the regional panorama. It is capable of providing emotions thanks to some unique passages, among which the memorable start on the wall of the Cancano dam stands out, as well as the internal stretch in the area of Lake San Giacomo, a fulcrum of anthropic testimonies in the Stelvio National Park.

Two events are planned, an 18 km competitive race and a 10 km non-competitive ShortRun, which can also be run as a Nordic walk, for a sporting event within everyone's reach.

The date of the next exciting edition has already been set: 25 August 2024

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How to access

The Cancano area, when the road leading to the Torri di Fraele is open and passable, can be reached from 'Fior d'Alpe' (for those coming from Bormio) or directly from Isolaccia (Valdidentro).

The two roads merge into a single panoramic road that, through numerous hairpin bends, leads to the Torri di Fraele and then to the Lakes. Being an agro-sylvo-pastoral road, this road is subject to specific access regulations.