Challenging routes, beautiful scenery, good
wine and three summer events
VALTELLINA, Italy, May 9, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Located in Northern
Italy, between Lake Como and Switzerland, the alpine valley of Valtellina
is not only about great alpine road-bike passes, or mountain-bike
single-trails leading to the wilder sceneries. This summer in
Valtellina is all about gravel cycling! Here history has left an
immense heritage of roads related to agriculture and trading, that
today are connected into itineraries suitable for any kind of
cyclist.
Going from the bottom to top, your ride will start from the
valley floor. You can pedal on dirt roads among orchards and
cornfields. The main element is water: Sentiero Valtellina follows
the Adda river, running along the whole valley from the alpine
resort of Bormio to Lake Como (114
kilometers). While Ciclabile Valchiavenna runs by the Mera river
for 40 kilometers from Colico to Val Bregaglia (CH).
Climbing upwards, the routes meet local history and culture. You
will go through ancient villages nestled among the vineyards
(Valtellina is home of world-famous wine labels) or the buckwheat
fields (the buckwheat pasta called Pizzoccheri is one of the
typical dishes of Valtellina) The main element here is stone, that
of the walls supporting the vineyards for miles, drawing
picturesque lines on the hills. But also, that of the monumental
churches, towers and castles you will meet along the routes.
The highest zone is the forest and of course, the main element
is wood. Here you can ride between the trees and reach beautiful
meadows, where the highest quality cheeses are made (Bitto
is the most famous). The routes are on high-altitude unpaved paths,
such as those in the Stelvio National Park, characterized by
outstanding scenery inhabited by rare wildlife.
THE EVENTS
VALCHIAVENNA GRAVEL ESCAPE
First date on the calendar (12 of May) and 1st edition for a gravel
event with routes in the nature and culture of Valchiavenna. The
tours also cross the border into the nearby Val Bregaglia (CH). The
tracks will be revealed only a few days before the event.
Info at https://www.endu.net/it/events/valchiavenna-gravel-escape/
UNPAVED ROADS – BORMIO
The "Magnificent Land" of Bormio
and Alta Valtellina is the location of Unpaved Roads (6-7 July),
which offers two tours on the dirt roads of the Stelvio National
Park. The super-spot is the Cancano Lakes with its ancient
towers.
Info at www.unpavedroads.cc
GRAVELLINA – STRADE RURALI
The picturesque vineyards are the background of Gravellina (21-22
September). A gravel weekend among historic villages, rural roads
and suspended bridges. The three tours are an up-and-down between
the valley floor and the mid-coast, with photographic views. The
epic-spot is the Grumello Castle overlooking the city of
Sondrio.
Info at www.gravellina.com
Cycling in Valtellina is pure discovery. Gravel is compelling
and genuine, like the wine served as aperitif with rye bread and
bresaola, like the farmers you meet on the roads. Rule number
one here is to say hello: Buondì! Always.
Media Contact: hello@daysoffoutdoor.com
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SOURCE Valtellina Tourism