The Spirit of the Wood and the geological trail in Val Ravella: wooden gnomes and erratic boulders above Canzo

In Val Ravella, above Canzo, gnomes, dragons and witches are carved into trunks and rocks along the path: this is the Spirit of the Wood trail, and it works on children like few places in Lombardy. The same valley holds the geological trail, an open-air museum of erratic boulders and giants' kettles.

The route

From Canzo we climb through the wood among the carvings to Prim'Alpe and Terz'Alpe, where the hut is, and come back down the geological trail: nine kilometres, 400 metres of climb, highest point 800 metres.

Who it's for

• families with children, even young ones
• anyone arriving by train: Canzo is on the line from Milan
• dog owners
• anyone who wants a day in the woods when the high mountains are out

Good to know

You can eat at Terz'Alpe (polenta and valley cheeses) and it is worth stopping: lunch at the hut is optional and not included. The carvings are living wood: touch them, do not climb them. Highest point 800 metres.

Getting there

The train is very easy here: the Milan Cadorna–Asso line stops at Canzo, and the trail starts in the village. By car from Milan about one hour: parking at the entrance to Val Ravella.