As well as the ‘easy’ walks we’ve listed, here are some of the other things to do as a family in Chiavenna. The tourist office has all the information, but here is info on our favourites:
- Picnic spots – There are plenty of great places for picnics, where you can play games, swim or just relax in the sun. Our favourite spots are the waterfall of Acqua Fraggia, Soglio, Daloo, and Val Bodengo. Val Bondasca and Val di Mello are also great, just further afield. See the descriptions on the walks section
- Goat feeding! Go and see the goats being fed in Pianazzola – we normally go to say hello to the ones just beneath the road
- Museums – The industrial museum, based on the flour mill (Mulino di Bottonera in Via Bottonera)
- Swimming. At the Chiavenna Sports centre, the swimming pool has a childrens pool (tel: +39 0343 35068)
- Parco Paradiso. These gardens are part of the grounds of the castle in Chiavenna and have a nice botanic garden and views.
Playgrounds
Can’t live without them? Well there are plenty here, and most are funky new ones. They are all over the valley, just ask someone (“Campo da Giuoco”). Our most frequented:
- Moreschi Bakery – 2Km south of Chiavenna on RHS of the main road is the Moreschi bakery and restaurant. It’s a glass building with a car park outside, often full. Try the fabulous brioche (croissants), and a great place for lunch. And there’s a children’s playground here too! Perfect
- Central Chiavenna – There are playgrounds in the parks near the churches of San Lorenzo (on via Picchi) or San Fedele (Viale Maloggia)
- Castagena. Ask in the centre of town (Swiss side of the border). A short, but steep walk or drive up a steep and narrow road! It’s a peaceful spot with some cool ‘double swings’ and crawling tubes. Combine this with a picnic in the idyllic meadows between Castagena and Soglio (15mins stiff walk uphill from Castasegna on the footpath)
- Villa di Chiavenna. Ask someone for directions to the playground from the centre of town. You can park there and walk from there to the rifugio at Savogno for lunch