Activities, experiences, and attractions for an autumn getaway in Italy’s Alta Valtellina
It’s that time of year again: summer is over, and we’re eagerly awaiting the first snowfall so we can start counting down the days until the lifts open and ski season begins. But in the meantime there are the autumn months to enjoy, which offer a unique opportunity to discover Livigno from different yet surprisingly charming perspectives. That’s right! Because with its stunning blend of summertime relaxation, activities, natural beauty, and skiing opportunities, Livigno in the autumn is a must-see destination for at least 5 compelling reasons.
Things to do in Livigno in the autumn
Enjoy Livigno’s natural autumn beauty and foliage
Regardless of the time of year, nature is the true artist behind Livigno’s majestic beauty. It’s incredible how each season manages to personalise the colours of this alpine valley in such a distinctive and characteristic way. In fact, between the intense and lush green of the summertime forests, and the immaculate white of the snow-covered wintertime landscape, starting in late September visitors will find the trees, leaves, and meadows ablaze in magnificent autumn colours. Livigno thus takes on the brown, orange and yellow hues of an autumn painting, with the already white-capped mountain peaks silhouetted against the vivid blue sky, creating a striking contrast.
But Livigno in the autumn has much more to offer than alpine foliage alone. It’s a true mountain spectacle, imbued with the extraordinary colours and aromas typical of the region, creating a gentle and relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for a romantic getaway. What’s the best way to experience it? By taking a stroll or bike ride through the valley’s lower-altitude woods and trails, or by immersing yourself in a forest of centuries-old larch trees, even with canopy walkways, like in the case of the Larix Park, one of the most extraordinary autumn attractions that Livigno has to offer.
Autumn walks in Livigno
To keep active in the mountains, all you have to do is get out and go for a walk. In Livigno, the autumn also offers plenty of opportunities to exercise and keep fit, directly in contact with nature. Compared to summer, the climate is a bit cooler, and since the high-altitude destinations can be more difficult to reach, many prefer to take advantage of the Livigno’s countless autumn walking and hiking trails, which offer various lengths and difficulty levels. The cycle path is actually a pedestrian route that crosses the entire valley, and walking it from the lake to Alpe Vago takes a few hours; In addition to this, you can explore the Val Federia, with a family-friendly path, numerous picnic spots, and the chance to try your hand at the 23 local Vita Parcour stations, or take the giro delle tee trail halfway up the mountain to discover Livigno’s ancient mountain huts up close, or even explore the Val delle Mine, with its romantic excursion to the Lovers’ Bridge, the Val Alpisella starting from Livigno Lake, or the Vallaccia, which starts from Trepalle.
Affordable shopping
In the case of bad weather, or you just have some free time on your hands, there’s nothing better than taking a stroll through the village streets (which are certainly less crowded during the autumn months than in the summertime) and enjoying the beauty of Livigno. In the pedestrian zone, which starts at Via Fontana and extends all the way to the parish church, there are enough shops and boutiques to make even a big city shopping centre envious, with one major advantage: Livigno enjoys the status of being a duty-free zone, and no VAT is paid on purchases, allowing for considerable savings on technology, fashion, tobacco, alcohol, perfume, and cosmetics purchases, as well as other duty-free goods, which are subject to certain quantity limitations in order to pass customs.
Spa relaxation and children’s pool
Temperatures can drop rapidly in the autumn, especially in the high mountains when the sun isn’t shining. But no worries. Livigno offers various ways to warm up a bit, such as sipping on a cup of hot cocoa at any one of the numerous bars in the town centre, or spending a day at Aquagranda, Livigno’s swimming pool and wellness centre, where there are plenty of things to do. For those who like to stay active, there’s the Olympic pool, where the professional swimmers on the Italian national team train, the Slide & Fun area with water slides, for families with children, as well as children’s and baby pools, whirlpools, outdoor pools, and even a bar area. Those looking for some relaxation, on the other hand, can visit the wellness area, where they can enjoy saunas, Turkish baths, sun beds, treatments and massages. All with spectacular views of Livigno’s autumn landscape.
Autumn menu items in Livigno: the traditional dishes of the Carpe Diem restaurant
Autumn in the mountains means new ingredients and flavours typical of this period, many of which are reflected on the menu. At Livigno’s best restaurants, traditional local dishes are prepared using seasonal ingredients. Options include, chestnut tagliatelle, venison and game salmì, roe deer ragout, steaming soups, mushrooms, squash, and mountain pasture cheeses with their extraordinarily fine flavours. At our family-run restaurant and trattoria, the Carpe Diem in the Livigno’s town centre, we also bring autumn flavours to the table during the months of October and November, with a rich assortment of traditional Valtellina dishes, ranging from pizzoccheri to manfrigole, and the ever-present polenta, not to mention our famous pizza, for autumn meals that turn into authentic culinary experiences.