Hike along the Archaic Trail to Stelvio

Since ancient times, the path known today as the Archaic, or Wormision, Trail has been an important route across the Alps, connecting the Valtellina Valley in Lombardy with the Val Venosta via the Passo dello Stelvio. We explore the section from Prato allo Stelvio to Stelvio village.

Our starting point on this sunny June day is the Spondigna railway station, where the colourful trains of the Val Venosta line stop. Before reaching the actual Archaic Trail, we stroll through the biotope and local recreation area of the Arena di Prato. To do this, we follow the hiking trail to Prato allo Stelvio, which first leads to the fishing pond and then continues through the wetlands of the Rio Solda stream into the village of Prato allo Stelvio.

Here we follow the signposts to the church in Agumes. We begin our ascent along the path to the Sacred Heart Chapel. A bit further up, we already find the first signs for the Archaic Trail to Stelvio. Passing the Patzleid farm, we walk up a wide path until a narrow trail branches off to the left. This trail leads us along the slope, through a sun-drenched landscape of mixed forests and shrubs, deeper and deeper into the valley. These are ancient mule tracks and cart paths, known as the Wormision Trails. Ahead of us, the snow-covered peaks of the Ortles Alps rise up.

In the valley lies Gomagoi, and on the slope ahead is the village of Stelvio. The settlement was built in terraces on the steep hillside, with the paths running in rows through Stelvio. The back of the houses, which appears as the ground floor from the upper row, turns out to be the first floor from the front side. This style of construction is probably unique to Stelvio in South Tyrol, immediately bringing to mind images of more southern regions. There are three options for the return.

Walking back along the same path, descending to the district of Ponte Stelvio and choosing the Waalweg path, or a bus ride from Stelvio back to the starting point in Spondigna. We decide for the third option, a comfortably return by bus. By the way: Another Wormision Trail leads from the Forcola Hut above Trafoi to the Cima Garibaldi on the border ridge between Italy and Switzerland.

---

Author: AT

Experienced: June 2013
Last updated: 2026

---