Geological Trail: Galli Furnace - Sass Corbée

The Geological Trail winds through one of the most striking and accessible stretches of the Sanagra Valley Park, in the heart of an area rich in natural history, industrial archaeology and breathtaking views. Along the trail you will encounter ancient factories, rare geological formations and evidence of the processing of materials such as clay and lime-all of which tell the story of this valley's unique identity.

Departure from Piamuro, large meadow near Loveno (Menaggio), the gateway to the Park. Following the marker no. 4 after a few minutes you will encounter a possible detour to the left that leads to the Galbiati Tower, continuing instead on Trail 4 you take the next turn, again to the left, and reach the Belvedere, first vantage point, overlooking the valley and Villa Bagatti Valsecchi. Here the Sanagra stream has shaped the limestone rocks into a gentler, more habitable valley.

Continuing along Trail 4, you will encounter the Artüs Chapel and you then go down to the Valley Mill, next to an ancient humpback bridge. From here you walk along the river to the Galli Furnace, where clay mined at the edge of the Sanagra stream bed was once fired and bricks were made.

It continues to the Chioderia, now agritourism and troticulture, and then to the Carliseppi Mill, with the remains of ancient factories. A short detour leads to the Pendula Stone, a large erratic boulder suspended in the woods. To reach it, leave the dirt road that leads to the Carliseppi Mill and take the 4 Valleys Trail (which turns off to the right in front of the trout-breeding ponds) and climb it for a few switchbacks.

Crossed the characteristic stone bridge at the Carliseppi mill (known as the Spinelli mill), we come to thepicnic area and from there, skirting the river for about 15 minutes, to the impressive Sass Corbée, an imposing rocky cliff set in a gorge and strewn with huge boulders. Landslides on the slope have created a scenic and fascinating environment. A few small steps carved into the rock make it possible to observe the gorge from above.

Further on, one encounters a calchera, small lime kiln, and finally, with a walk of about 40 minutes, you reach the Mountains of Mothers, ancient rural settlement with open views of the valley.

To return, you can retrace the same route or detour along the path 4a towards the village of Barna, from which a mule track leads back to Piamuro.