Passo Branchino from Zambla Alta via the Capanna 2000

Trail 221 starts at Zambla Alta, at about 1,150 metres, and in winter follows the road that in about 4 kilometres reaches the start of the old ski lifts; from there it climbs north-west on the ridge overlooking the Val Vedra to the forest road, which soon leads to the Capanna 2000, at 1,960 metres (CAI Bergamo). The CAI gives 3.6 kilometres, about 900 metres of ascent and 1 hour 10 minutes; the Rifugi Lombardia portal estimates 1 hour 50 minutes from Zambla Alta instead.

In summer you can drive from Plassa up to the car park at 1,600 metres, below the old lifts (CAI Bergamo). Parking there is paid: 4 euros for any vehicle, with a ticket bought before driving up, in partner shops or at the Plassa parking meters opposite the apartment blocks, and left on display; the municipality also sells a 30-euro season pass. In winter the road is closed: in 2026 it reopened to traffic on 22 April (Comune di Oltre il Colle). Lower down, near the Camping Arera, at around 1,200 metres, there are free car parks (CAI Bergamo, Luca Gherardi). From the upper car park Rifugi Lombardia reckons an hour and 400 metres to the hut.

From the Capanna 2000, trail 222 drops briefly on 221 to the signpost at about 1,935 metres, then turns north, crosses the Val d'Arera and traverses towards the head of the Val Vedra with constant ups and downs. It comes out on the pastures of the Baita Branchino (1,836 m), where trail 231 arrives from Zorzone, and with a short descent and a short climb reaches the pass: 3.8 kilometres, 1 hour 15 minutes out and 1 hour 30 back, with about 100 metres of ascent and 200 of descent (CAI Bergamo).

From Zorzone, at 1,019 metres, a mule track heads east across the slope into the Val Vedra, which you climb at a moderate gradient to Pian Bracca (1,111 m), now the most common starting point because it can be reached by car from Zorzone. Keeping close to the valley floor you pass the Baita Pessel (1,209 m) and the pastures of the Casera di Vedro (1,672 m); with a last climb north you reach the Passo di Val Vedra (1,848 m) and straight after it the Passo Branchino (CAI Bergamo).

Trail 231 is 7.6 kilometres long, with 850 metres of ascent and 50 of descent: 3 hours out and 2 hours 10 back, grade E, season April to October. The CAI suggests parking in Zorzone in via Giorgi. It is also the descent of the Arera mountain-bike loop: in the Val Vedra you may meet cyclists (Percorsi MTB Val Brembana).

The lake lies at about 1,787 metres (OpenStreetMap), below the pass on the Valcanale side. The Rifugio Lago Branchino, the former Baita di Neel alta, stands north-east of the lake (CAI Bergamo) and is run by the A.R.D.E.S. association; for the 2026 season its blog announces opening on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October.

On the other side, the Capanna 2000 is the base for the climb from Zambla: Rifugi Lombardia points out that its opening dates are indicative and advises phoning at the start and end of the season. The number, 0345 95096, is also given by Percorsi MTB Val Brembana.

The Passo Branchino is a crossroads of trails and a stage of the most famous round in the area, the Sentiero dei Fiori: CAI Bergamo builds it from trail 222, the stretch of 218 from the pass to the Mandrone and part of 244 along the slopes of the Arera, grades it E and marks it with panels on the area's natural features; according to the Orobie Park the loop stays between 1,821 and 2,078 metres.

For all these trails the CAI recommends April to October, with boots and high-mountain clothing. Trail 222 faces north: after snowy winters or late in autumn the traverse below the Arera is the stretch to assess most carefully.

Water and food are available at the huts, the Capanna 2000 and the Lago Branchino, during their opening periods: the massif is limestone and karstic (Wikipedia) and the descriptions mention no springs along trail 222.