The cheeses of Val Pontirone

Our destination can be reached by car along a narrow but paved road for about 20 km starting from Biasca to Malvaglia, then continuing right towards Lesgiüna, passing Pontironetto, Pontirone, Fontana, and Biborgh, where the paved section ends. The road then continues unpaved but is reserved only for agricultural vehicles. The mountain pastures we suggest visiting are three.

The first, well marked and about 50 minutes of good walking pace, is Alpe Lesgiüna, stocked only with goats (there are also young female goats, but not for milk) from mid June.

To visit the other two pastures, it is necessary to return to the Biborgh parking and take the path leading to Capanna di Cava in about 1 hour and 30 minutes of walking. The first pasture encountered along the road, 3 km from the start, is Alpe di Sceng, where fatty small cheeses of about 2 kg and whey ricotta are produced. The cheeses are sold only from early September. Climbing for another 20 minutes, you reach Alpe Cava, located on a very large clearing, where about one hundred cows graze. For years, a cheesemaker from Valtellina has produced the excellent 'CAVA' cheese: semi-hard, fatty, with forms up to 10 kg, sold only in presence of the pasture loaders (boggesi). Excellent whey butter is always available.

15 minutes from the pasture is Capanna Cava (50 beds, always open, with caretaker in July and August). It is located in a landscape of hills originally shaped by a glacier.
The return to the car is recommended on the same path.