The Valtellina lies in the heart of the Alps, just a few kilometres from Milan and the Swiss border, in the northern most part of Lombardy. From the south you can reach it by taking the SS 36 which passes along lake Como and continues to the Spluga Pass. Coming from the north you have a number of possibilities thanks to the mountain passes, open for most of the year. Stretching from east to west it is the longest valley in the Alps and the SS 38 runs right along it. The area is prevalently mountainous with peaks touching 4000 metres which dominate the low lying plains beside the banks of the river Adda, affluent of lake Como.