“La strada delle streghe” path

In Balbido, take the road that goes towards val Marcia as far as Le Cross where you will find an open space and the sign indicating the start of the walk.

The route starts from the car park in Rango, one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages, where stone houses, porticoes and covered passageways still tell the story of the traditional rural architecture of the Giudicarie Valleys. From the village, the route climbs briefly towards Le Cross, above Balbido, where five iron crosses were erected in 1656 to keep away the witches who, according to local tradition, used to bother the farmers on their way to Val Marcia to collect wood and hay. <p>The trail then descends towards Le Cross before entering the woods again and returning comfortably to Rango along a farm track. Along the way, you pass dry-stone walls, glimpses of the valley and walnut trees, once widespread and important for the local economy, and today a symbol of one of the area’s typical products.</p> <p>A short and pleasant walk, also suitable for little hikers curious to discover the stories, nature and traditions of Bleggio.</p>