Val Codera – Lombardy: silence, paths and stone houses in a valley that can only be reached on foot. Val Codera is located in the province of Sondrio, just above Novate Mezzola, and is one of the last Alpine valleys permanently inhabited but without carriage roads. It can only be reached on foot, along a historic mule track that climbs between the rocks, then opening up to villages suspended in time, deep woods and high-altitude refuges. 🥾 Access on foot between panoramas and dry stone walls: The path to Codera begins with a paved staircase that starts from the Novate railway station. Going up you will encounter stone bridges, cultivated terraces and side waterfalls. After about two hours you arrive at the village of Codera, a small agglomeration of stone houses surrounded by meadows and woods. 👉 Tip: Wear comfortable boots and bring water: the difference in height is important, but the route is well marked and full of exciting views of Valchiavenna. 🌲 Unspoiled nature and slow time: Here the silence is real: no noise of engines, only the rustling of leaves, the singing of birds and the sound of the Codera river. The rhythms are dictated by the light, the seasons and the mountains. It is a place where you can really disconnect, away from any form of mass tourism. 👉 Tip: Stay overnight in one of the town's refuges: living a night in Codera allows you to enjoy the quiet of the evening, the starry sky and the simple and sincere hospitality of the inhabitants. 🏘️ Rural architecture and living memory: The stone houses, the piöde roofs, the terraced vegetable gardens and the stables are testimony to a functional and harmonious alpine architecture. The village still retains a tavern, a small school transformed into a cultural center and a library run by the residents themselves. 👉 Tip: Visit the Ethnographic Museum of Val Codera: a collection of objects, photographs and documents that tell the deep bond between people and the valley. ⛰️ Routes for experienced hikers: From Codera there are several paths to refuges and high-altitude mountain pastures, including the itinerary for the Brasca Refuge and the Barbacan Pass. The area is ideal for those looking for technical excursions and wild environments, but always safe thanks to good signage. 👉 Tip: Start early if you want to reach the Brasca Refuge in a day: the path is long but very suggestive, between suspension bridges and centuries-old woods. Val Codera is more than a place: it is a choice. A different way of experiencing the mountains, where every step has a value and every encounter has something to tell.