Cima Caione 3,140 m from Case di Viso: your first three-thousander in the upper Val Camonica

A true three-thousander reached on foot without ropes: Cima Caione dominates the Val di Viso with small lakes, scree and the remains of Great War positions.

The route

We set off with the Guidders from Case di Viso, the village of stone huts above Ponte di Legno, and walk up the whole Val di Viso: first pastures and dairy huts, then the terrain opens up and turns rocky. Past the alpine tarns, the trail crosses scree fields and meets trenches and positions from the First World War, when these ridges were the front line.

The final stretch climbs steadily to the 3,140 metres of Cima Caione. From up there, on clear days, the view runs from the Adamello to the Ortles-Cevedale and the Orobie. The return follows the valley back to the cars: 20 kilometres and almost 1,400 metres of ascent in total.

Who it is for

• fit hikers used to long days at altitude
• anyone wanting a first three-thousander without mountaineering gear
• lovers of historic mountains: Great War trenches and walkways
• minimum age 16 accompanied, no dogs

Good to know

In October it is cold at 3,000 metres and fresh snow is possible: the guide checks conditions in the days before and may change or cancel the outing. Packed lunch, at least two litres of water, gloves and a warm layer are mandatory. Car pooling in the outing's Telegram group.