Bergamo and Brescia – two cities with their own character yet similar at heart and united deep down like two sisters – take each other by the hand on a journey in stages that will lead you far from the usual tourist routes, in a sustainable way and at a slow pace. The route links these sisters (or, sorelle) through two symbolic places, both UNESCO sites, namely the Complex of Santa Giulia in Brescia and the Città Alta in Bergamo with its Venetian Walls.This two-way itinerary allows you to freely choose your starting point and destination, letting yourself be guided by your curiosity. In between, you will be immersed in hilly terrain, with boundaries naturally drawn by the mountains and the lake.Do you feel inspired? Then all you need to do is pack your backpack and go!

Surprise yourself, step by step

In unison with the Slow Ride Italy Association, to whom we owe the idea and coordination of the project, our provinces have created a route that will surprise you along the entire way, through the natural areas, villages, art and architecture of our territory. We are especially interested in showcasing the very features that you would otherwise never have discovered, leading you towards the unusual, the surprising, the unexpected. In addition to the best-known sights of the two capital cities, you will get to discover an unforeseen Capital. Some examples? Be surrounded by the greenery of our parks and reserves, such as the Torbiere del Sebino, a place of great charm yet still little known. Cross historical routes and intercept wayfarers tackling other paths, in a network that intersects different routes, from the ancient Via Mercatorum to the Cammino di Carlo Magno and the spiritual Alta Via delle Grazie. You will even travel two Wine Routes, discovering our excellences and the places where we produce our DOC and DOCG wines: the Franciacorta, Val Calepio and the Terre del Vescovado. To accompany Bacchus’ beverage of choice, along the Via dei Sapori della Bergamasca you can sample our gastronomic specialities. Here, you will also find testimonies of our craftsmanship along the way, the fruits of the skilled hands that have helped forge our very identity.

An open-air stage

Yet, there’s still more to discover! We also want you to encounter, step-by-step, contemporary art in all its forms, giving you a new way of looking at nature and landscape, at the places and stories you chance upon. That is why the Via delle Sorelle will be an open-air stage, something truly unique. We are endeavouring to ensure that, over time, national and international artists who believe in the values of this trail will walk it with us, allowing themselves to be inspired by the values it encompasses – the relationship between man and nature, the interweaving of tradition and innovation, the importance of slowing down and the respect for the uniqueness of all, sustainability and ecology, inclusion and encounters. Gradually, the path will be populated with specially-created, unique and original works of art, ranging from visual arts, theatre, literature to music. In short, to surprise and delight you, we have created the first open-air creative worksite between two cities, destined to grow with us over time. A sustainable legacy for our territories.

“Is this for me?”

With the right equipment and proper training, the Via delle Sorelle is the right path for anyone wanting to discover the less-travelled yet no less interesting routes in our region from a green perspective. An experience for the curious, for all those who are ready to embrace awe and wonder.

• 130 kilometres of hills covered through 36 municipalities, joining the two capitals.
• An itinerary divided into 6 recommended yet modulable stages of around 20–25 kilometres
• A total difference in altitude of 3,800 metres, for an overall medium degree of difficulty.
• All support services for walkers along every stage, from accommodation to food and beverages.

Don’t want to do the entire route? That’s no problem since each stage is designed to be completed as a one-day experience in its own right.

La Via delle Sorelle is a project of Bergamo Brescia Italian Capital of Culture 2023 that benefits from the partnership of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane as partner of the City of Nature thematic area.