At the foot of the majestic Pizzo Arera lies one of the most fascinating nature trails in the Orobie Alps: the Path of Flowers and Butterflies, an experience that allows you to discover unique plant and animal species. The route dedicated to observing flora, named in 2004 in honor of botanist Claudio Brissoni, is a loop that winds between altitudes of 1,821 and 2,078 meters, along the western slope of Monte Arera and Corna Piana, connecting the Capanna 2000 Refuge to Passo Branchino.
From the hut, reachable in an hour's walk, the trail crosses the Val d'Arera, where you'll already encounter the first blooms, then reaches Passo Gabbia and enters the evocative glaciated basin of Mandrone. From here, it ascends to Bocchetta di Corna Piana, amidst rocky environments that host some of the most precious endemic species of the Orobie Alps, such as the Bergamasca toadflax, Presolana saxifrage, Concarena sandwort, and Orobie clinopodium. The path then descends again through globeflowers, bellflowers, and gentians, until it reaches Passo del Branchino, overlooking the natural lake of the same name, before returning to the hut.
The best time to observe the greatest variety of blooms is July, when butterflies also color the high-altitude meadows.
Refuge Hut 2000 Bar / Pub, Shelter, Restaurant
