A road trip to three celebrated super trails in the Bermuda triangle of Valtellina, Val Viola and Val Venosta. The lift and shuttle helped us uphill. That sounds like an optimised fun weekend, but there were still a few hurdles lurking.
You can read the entire travel report in BIKE 2/2018. The GPS data for the tours described can be found in the download area below this article. download free of charge. Have fun travelling!
The precinct
Valtellina is located in the Italian province of Lombardy, right on the border with South Tyrol and the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Here on the main Alpine ridge, between the 4000 metre high Piz Bernina, the famous Stilfserjoch and the 3123 metre high Madritschjoch, countless old smugglers' and military trails await. A real goldmine for a super trail road trip. Especially as more and more locals are taking care of the trails and offering a shuttle service for the ascent.
However, as these are trails in the high mountains, you almost always have to tackle the final climbs yourself - usually in the form of a carrying passage. A good level of fitness, good riding technique and alpine experience are therefore essential for this type of trip.
Best touring time
From mid-June to the beginning of September. Although the region is already located on the south-facing main ridge, there can still be short winter spells throughout the summer. From mid-September onwards, temperatures and the number of hours of sunshine slowly dip into single figures.
The three day tours
Day 1 - Cornin bike trail - 10.2 km / 280 m elevation gain / 1480 tm
A relic from the First World War that was only discovered by the locals in 2016 and revitalised especially for bikers. From Grosotto, take the shuttle up the Val Grosina to the Careti-Alm. Remaining ascent to the start of the trail on the Forcoletta: 2 km / 360 metres of ascent (mostly pushing). The trail starts at an altitude of 2050 metres.
Character of the trail: mostly flowing forest trail, last section blocked, tight serpentines, but never too steep. Trenches halfway up!
Shuttle: Giordano Osmetti, tel. 0039/347/2590873, www.tiranotaxi.it
Continue to Le Prese in the canton of Graubünden (from Grosio 26 km / 30 min drive)
Overnight stay: Camping Cavresc on Lago di Poschiavo, Via dal Canton, Le Prese, Tel. 0041/81/8440259, www.campingcavresc.ch
Day 2 - Val-Viola-Trail - 72 km / 1500 metres altitude / 3470 tm
Thanks to the connecting trail that was built from the Bernina Pass to Livigno a few years ago, this tour is one of the most epic and varied experiences that ambitious trail bikers can enjoy.
The Ospizio Bernina on the pass of the same name can be reached in an hour by train from Le Prese. Cross over to Livigno on the connecting trail. Take the Mottolino cable car to save 600 metres in altitude and continue over the Passo della Vallaccia (at the end a carry/push section) and the Passo Val Viola under your own steam. From there, descend to Le Prese on a never-ending, partly rocky high mountain path.
Shuttle: Rhaetian Railway, bike transport no problem.
Continue from Le Prese over the Stilfserjoch to Schlanders in the Vinschgau Valley (112 km / 2.5 hours)
Overnight stay: Camping Vogelsang with bike washing facilities, best gin and tonic, campfire bowl, new sanitary facilities, home-made specialities, farm around the corner with fresh produce. www.camping-vogelsang.com
Day 3 - Göflaner Schartl Trail - 40 km / 950 metres altitude / 1850 tm
An absolute must if you want to see the Vinschgau Valley from above. The trail is a challenge in terms of fitness and riding technique, and only at the end does it lead into the built surfing berms of the Holy Hansen. By shuttle from Schlanders up the Martell valley. Then 600 metres uphill, steep in places. From the avalanche barriers, 300 metres of pushing and carrying (rope-secured path). The descent: first flowing through open terrain, then sporty and blocked on granite scree. The descent to Kreuzjöchl is almost gentle again and continues into the Lackwald forest (roots). Stop off at the Wiebenhof and on the Holy Hansen to Schlanders.
Shuttle: Mobil-Car (Michi), Bahnhofstr. 1 in Silandro/Schlanders, tel. 0039/338/5075462.
You can read the entire travel report in BIKE 2/2018. The GPS data for the tours described can be found in the download area below this article. download free of charge. Have fun travelling!
Downloads:
Tour tips in the neighbourhood:
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
