Biking along Oglio river

BIKING along OGLIO RIVER

Biking along Oglio river, from Passo Tonale to Brescia’s plain

“S

2

mooth as… Oglio -

Tonale to Po River covers km

Brescia’s greenway”

280 and crosses historically

is the title of the bike

relevant places: Camonica Valley

tourism development project

Rock Engravings, first UNESCO

involving a beautiful area of the

site in Italy, romantic Lake Iseo,

province of Brescia.

Franciacorta and its renowned

However, the title can be

wine, the rich soil of the Brescia

misleading: the word ‘smooth’

plain, until it flows into the Po

conjures the image of water

River. All these very different

flowing quietly, a slow river making

places have in common the fact

its way between lines of trees

that they are an authentic treasure

in the plain. In fact, Oglio River

for all kinds of bikers: athletes

originates from the Stelvio and

or amateurs, young or families,

Presanella mountains, impetuously

groups or solo bikers, those who

flows like a mountain creek,

love altitude and adrenaline and

encounters and merges into Lake

those who prefer relaxation and

Iseo, and gains strength again

strolls among nature.

when it comes out of the lake.

The mountains of Valle Camonica

It finally quietens down when it

host the great climbs of Giro

reaches the plain.

d’Italia: there are some easy parts,

This river’s journey from Passo

medium challenges, and some

Photos and texts: Ruggero Bontempi - Brescia Credits: Adamello Ski, Strada del Franciacorta, Consorzio del Franciacorta, Bresciatourism Info: www.bresciatourism.it - FB: Visit Brescia

portions that have become part

and farms built in the traditional

of the legend of Giro: climbs now

regional way.

linked to the achievements of great

This publication was made

international champions, their

possible thanks to the contribution

emotions and strenuous effort.

of Regione Lombardia. It proposes

Lake Iseo invites you to ride along

a selection of the many itineraries

its coast and discover enchanting

that the Province of Brescia offers,

views: Monte Isola, Loreto and

from Ponte di Legno to the Brescia

San Paolo islets, majestic Mount

plain. These itineraries exemplify

Guglielmo. Beyond the lake, you

the vast offering of this area full

ride across Franciacorta passing

of natural, historical, cultural, and

vineyards, noble villas, and

culinary riches. We invite you to

renowned wineries which invite

jump on your saddle and discover

gourmands to a refreshing stop.

them.

Finally, you reach the plain and its lines of poplars, cultivated fields,

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

INDEX 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72

PASSO GAVIA VAL CANÈ VAL GRANDE RIFUGIO BOZZI TONALE VALBIONE MORTIROLO MONTE PAGANO ON THE RIDGE OF THE VALLEYS PASSO DELL’APRICA MONTE COLMO SANT’ANTONIO VALLEYS VALLE DI SAVIORE PASSO DEL VIVIONE FROM MALEGNO TO BORNO PASSO CROCE DOMINI FORESTS AND MINES BRENO - BIENNO VAL DI SCALVE MONTECAMPIONE COLLE SAN ZENO VELLO - TOLINE ON THE SHORE OF LAKE ISEO AROUND MARONE MONTE GUGLIELMO THE OIL ROUTE MONTE ISOLA LOWER LAKE ISEO BETWEEN ISEO AND POLAVENO LAKE ISEO CIRCUIT PEATBOGS FRANCIACORTA FROM PARATICO TO SENIGA THE MAGIC CASTLE

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

5

PASSO GAVIA

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Ponte di Legno > Passo del Gavia

THE CHARM OF PEDALLING AT HIGH ALTITUDE “This is one of those climbs where, when you start, you’re never sure you’ll make it to the top”.

With these words Gilberto Simoni, who won the Giro d’Italia race twice, summarized the ascent to Passo Gavia.

The historic pass that joins Valle Camonica to Valtellina has repeatedly seen the peloton of Giro d’Italia transit.

The first time was in 1960, still on unpaved road, with Alpini (Alpine troops) called to clear the road from the snow, which still falls copiously in this area.

On that occasion, the first athlete who reached the top, all alone in front of incredulous fans was Imerio Massignan, from Vicenza, who lost the stage victory to Charly Gaul due to a punctured tire while descending into Valtellina.

Each year, in a sort of pilgrimage, hundreds of cyclists pedal on the road that connects Ponte di Legno to Passo Gavia and breathe the thin air of the pass; the altitude is 2,618 metres above sea level.

The climb begins in the north of the town of Ponte di Legno; the first part is a gradual ascent up Valle di Pezzo, then the incline increases until the fork for Pezzo, access point to beautiful Valle di

Viso. After one kilometre, you arrive at Sant’Apollonia, with the characteristic source of ferruginous water on the left.

The real climb begins in the immediate vicinity, on a road which becomes narrower and notably steeper. You climb the winding path along the southern slope of Cima di Caione and Cima delle Graole mountains; then, at the end of a challenging stretch, you go through a narrow illuminated tunnel.

Below the road you can see Valle delle Messi, a valley crossed by the Oglio Frigidolfo stream, which originates very close to Passo Gavia. The last three hairpin turns still require considerable effort, while the final stretch before arriving to Rifugio Bonetta hut and the pass is easier. Here, you will admire the statue of Madonna delle Vette (Virgin of the Peaks), the protector of cyclists.

The climb has an average incline of around 8%; the steepest point reaches 16%.

Point of departure: Ponte di Legno, altitude m 1,298 Point of arrival: Passo Gavia, m 2,618 m Type of bicycle required: road bike

Length Km 17

Difference in height 1,320 m

Difficulty HIGH

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

7

VAL CANÈ

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Villa Dalegno > Villa Dalegno

DISCOVERING VAL CANÈ Val Canè is one of Valle Camonica’s side valleys which are part of Stelvio National Park. This valley belongs to the municipality of Vione and its upper part is rich in small lakes. To discover this beautiful glacial valley, you can use one of the trails identified by Adamello Bike Arena, a project dedicated to bicycle lovers. The route chosen is marked by number 11 and is called “Stambec”, the name in local dialect for mountain or ibex goat, a very common animal on the mountains overlooking Val Canè. Clear indications for the route are positioned at each fork.

Your starting point is Villa Dalegno where you park in the westernmost part of the village. You cycle between the houses; above the church, continue right on a cobbled street pedalling up to the top of the village. You then turn right again, follow a stretch with moderate slope and then face a series of hairpin turns which lead you to the village of Plas de Ves. A pleasant mid-mountain section, in the westbound direction, gives you the opportunity to rest your legs before facing the very demanding climb which leads to Prebalduino, an excellent panoramic spot.

Continuing on, you spot the Chigol cabins above you as you approach the beginning of the descent to the floor of Val Canè. Turn right and then complete the last stretch uphill to the picnic area of Cortebona and the nearby information centre of Stelvio National Park. Cross the bridge over Fiumeclo stream and continue downhill on the dirt road

passing through the houses of Ponte, Vallazzo, and ending at the Salna cabins.

A nice descent leads you to the houses of Premia and then in the upper area of the village of Vione. It is here that you take the dirt road which passes by the little church of Sant’Alessandro and arrives at Molina and Lecanù in the municipality of Temù. To return to Villa Dalegno, take a beautiful and scenic mule track halfway up the mountain identified by the sign “Stambec”. The route begins near a crucifix and develops between meadows bordered by dry stone walls.

Point of departure and arrival: Villa Dalegno, altitude m 1,355 Type of bicycle: mountain bike

Length Km 18

Difference in height m 451

Difficulty MEDIUM

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

9

VAL GRANDE

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Vezza d’Oglio > Bivacco Saverio Occhi

FROM VEZZA UP TO SAVERIO OCCHI HUT Around the village of Vezza d’Oglio is one of the four valleys of the Valle Camonica system which is part of Stelvio National Park. Val Grande attracts visitors for its numerous naturalistic highlights: morphological elements of glacial origin, wetlands, and unique flora and fauna such as larch forests, patches covered in rhododendrons and alders, deer, and roe deer. Other interesting elements include well-kept cabins, meadows, pastures, and chapels.

The valley is a paradise for hikers, but also for bikers. On the saddle of their bike, they have the opportunity to discover it thanks to the road which leads to Rifugio Saverio Occhi hut.

From the centre of Vezza, drive towards Tù and reach the bridge over the stream that descends from Val Grande and flows across the upper area of the village. You can park here. You take the road which goes up to the left just before the bridge (Via Grano); after two small hairpin turns you cross the small group of buildings of Grano and then you continue to follow a rather steep paved road which becomes closed to car traffic. The track becomes easier as it heads north into the forest, reaches the stream that descends from Val Paraolo, and merges onto the road at the bottom of the valley. Here, you turn left and start going uphill again,

alternating easier stretches with steeper stretches. After passing an agritourism and the ruins of some cabins, you arrive to Case Tonale and then to the plain of Caret with its small church.

The road now continues along the creek in a relaxing setting of pastures and rhododendrons, reaches Malga Val Grande cowshed, then becomes steeper.

You ride on rocks and cement until you reach the cosy mountain hut dedicated to Saverio Occhi.

To return, use the descent of route no.

61 “Gipeto” created by Adamelloski Consortium. After reaching Plazabus, turn left, cross the Val Grande stream, and after a short climb you reach a plateau and Gussano, from where you descend to Tù and from there to the bridge where you departed.

Point of departure: Vezza d’Oglio, bridge at the fork for Grano and Tù, m 1,122 Point of arrival: Rifugio Saverio Occhi hut, m 2,047 Type of bicycle: mountain bike

Length Km 21

Difference in height m 925

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

11

RIFUGIO BOZZI Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Ponte di Legno > Rifugio Bozzi

FROM PONTE DI LEGNO TO RIFUGIO BOZZI Rifugio Bozzi hut in Valle di Viso is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the entire Valle Camonica. Bikers can reach it through the beautiful military road which starts in Case di Viso: an itinerary which will give you full gratification for its characteristics and setting.

From the northern part of Ponte di Legno, where you can park near the fork for Zoanno, start pedalling on the road to Passo Gavia, pass the confluence of Oglio Frigidolfo (which comes from Valle delle Messi) and Oglio Arcanello (which descends from Valle di Viso), and a little further on, turn right at the indication for the village of Pezzo.

At the following fork, follow the road to the left towards Case di Viso. The road narrows as you pass above Pezzo and along the edge of the forest; despite some steep portions, the route is still easy (average incline 7 percent) and leads to a pleasant setting of meadows and pastures where you can observe deer and roe deer, until Case di Viso. This cluster of cabins has maintained a homogeneous appearance thanks to the choice to preserve the traditional architectural elements, with wood and stone well in sight.

After a couple of hairpin turns, the road reaches a large picnic area (Pra del Rum) in Stelvio National Park, with small lake Lago di Viso nearby. From here, you will need to step up you game to gain altitude on the series of turns on the ascending dirt road, which have a fairly consistent slope. The point of arrival is represented

by the hut dedicated to the memory of Angelino Bozzi, an aspiring officer who was killed on nearby Torrione di Albiolo mountain in 1915. Around you, you can observe the remains of trenches and buildings of a military village restored by the Alpini, who converted one into a museum.

For the descent, you return to Case di Viso where you take the dirt road called “Tonalina� on the left, in the lower part of the village. First in the open and then inside the woods, you go downhill until you merge onto the fourth turn of the road to Passo Tonale. Turn right on this road and descend to Ponte di Legno.

Point of departure and arrival: Ponte di Legno, fork for Zoanno, altitude m 1,297 Type of bicycle: mountain bike

Length Km 29

Difference in height m 1,181

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

13

TONALE REACHING THE SKY The pass which connects upper Valle Camonica to Val di Sole in Trentino is today a place full of leisure opportunities, especially winter and summer sports.

The slopes of the mountains surrounding Passo Tonale also have historical significance for the events

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

dating back to the period of the Great War; due to the harsh environmental conditions in which the soldiers of the opposing sides operated, it was called the White War. The road which connects Ponte di Legno to Passo Tonale has repeatedly seen the peloton of Giro d’Italia race in both directions to face the climbs to Mortirolo, Gavia, and Stelvio. Moderate effort is required to reach Tonale from Ponte di Legno,

Ponte di Legno > Passo del Tonale

considered the tourist capital of upper Valle Camonica. The average slope is 6 percent, with peaks under 9 percent.

These characteristics make it possible to divide your concentration between the pedals and the variety of landscapes around you.

The start of the ascent takes place from the southern area of Ponte di Legno where, on the side of the state road, large lots are available for parking. The first turns of the pedals lead to a wide turn to the left at the entrance of Val Sozzine: the real ascent begins here.

After a short distance, you reach the fork for Passo Gavia; continue right and at the third hairpin turn, where the road which enters Valle di Pezzo starts, the state road begins to run by the foot of the slope which joins Cima Le Sorti with Cima di Cadì. In the areas where the tree canopy thins out you can take a look at Val Narcanello, and further up at the rocky peaks of the Castellaccio

mountain system. The coloured arrows indicate the intersections with some mountain bike routes created by Adamello Ski Consortium within the Adamello Bike Arena project.

As you ascend, the vegetation becomes less dense. You pass next to the former Casa Cantoniera (maintenance man house) from which there are less than two kilometres to your destination. The pass is preceded by the departure of the Paradiso cable car and the military Memorial.

Point of departure: Ponte di Legno, intersection between via Nazionale and via Corno d’Aola, m 1,252

Valle Camonica

Point of arrival: Passo del Tonale, altitude m 1,883 Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Type of bicycle: road bike

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Length Km 11

Difference in height m 631

Difficulty EASY

Pianura bresciana

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

15

VALBIONE

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Ponte di Legno > Ponte di Legno

THE CABINS AND THE VIEWS ON THE UPPER VALLEY Valbione is a very welknown and popular area of upper Valle Camonica.

It can be reached on foot or by bike, and also by car and by ski lift. The well-maintained cabins in the lower part of Valle Acqua Seria represent the intermediate stage for the more well-trained bikers who reach higher altitudes like Rifugio Corno d’Aola and Roccolo Ventura huts.

Starting from the departure of the Valbione chair lift in Ponte di Legno, you reach Valbione after about four kilometres on a pleasant old military road in the forest, on constant slope which covers a difference in height of less than three hundred metres. Those who have limited training can stop here in the areas equipped with benches and tables near the artificial lake, while the more prepared can continue along a gratifying and panoramic route marked as route number 8 “Cerf” by Adamelloski.

From Valbione, cross the ski slopes and then go south on the steep road to Santa Giulia; after a long series of hairpin turns, you reach and cross another trail. After a short distance, turn right onto the forest road which leads to Maralsina and Casola, with very open view on the crown of mountains which mark the right side of upper Valle Camonica.

You then reach Roccolo Ventura, a restaurant in a panoramic position; after turning left at the first intersection you pass some cabins and then turn right.

You go downhill on steep slopes. When you reach the road for Temù, turn left on another downhill stretch and then right

for the village of Petenec. The descent continues on the right side of Val d’Avio heading north towards the road which connects Temù to Ponte di Legno. When entering the asphalt road for Valbione, turn left to return to the starting point.

Point of departure and arrival: Ponte di Legno, altitude m 1,259 Type of bicycle: mountain bike

Length Km 14

Difference in height m 650

Difficulty MEDIUM

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

17

MORTIROLO

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Monno > Passo del Mortirolo

THE LEGENDARY PASSO DEL MORTIROLO One of the most evocative names for hard bicycle rides is “Mortirolo”. Indeed, the ascent which leads to this pass from the Valtellina side is an extremely selective testing ground for all cyclists, who prepare meticulously to face it. Tired but satisfied, the cyclists who make it to the top encounter a relaxing environment. This is also the administrative limit between the provinces of Brescia and Sondrio.

You can reach Passo del Mortirolo with its pastures and conifer woods, as well as Passo della Foppa which represents the highest point of the road, also from Valle Camonica, following a less challenging route which is very appreciated for the quality of the surrounding landscape.

The average slope is slightly less than 8 percent and the maximum is 14 percent; the portion which requires the most effort is in the final part.

You reach the fork for Monno along Tonale state road; there is space to park the car just after the fork. You warm up your legs riding along the stretch which leads to Monno and continue by facing two steep stretches in quick succession upon leaving the village. At the first hairpin turn to the right after the village, you pass the fork for the old mule track to the pass; after a second fork the road makes a long arch and then continues parallel to the floor of the Mortirolo valley.

In the sections where the wood becomes less dense, there is space for characteristic cabins and meadows.

After passing “Le Olte” (there are signs indicating the locations encountered)

there is an easier stretch where you can rest your legs. From Palù bridge, the slope increases significantly and sustained effort is required to overcome a series of close hairpin turns. The passage next to the church of San Giacomo means that you have already covered a good distance, but you still have to keep pushing for one and a half kilometres.

A few hundred metres after you pass the deviation for Pianaccio, you cross the road which comes from Trivigno, and immediately after this fork you reach Passo della Foppa. Here, the memory of the incredible athletic achievements of Franco Chioccioli, Marco Pantani, and thousands of other cyclists is still alive.

Point of departure: fork for Monno on Tonale state road, altitude m 891 Point of arrival: Passo del Mortirolo, altitude m 1,852 Type of bicycle: road bike Closest railway station: Edolo (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 13

Difference in height m 961

Difficulty HIGH

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

19

MONTE PAGANO

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

20

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Monno > Monno

AROUND MONTE PAGANO BETWEEN MONNO AND VEZZA D’OGLIO The right hydrographic side of upper Valle Camonica offers a gratifying itinerary, which requires good training due to the difference in height.

It starts from the state road to Passo del Tonale at the fork with the road for Monno, at the beginning of which there is a small parking lot. The climb which leads to the village is at first characterized by fairly steep slopes, becomes easier for one kilometre and a half, and then become challenging again when you follow the winding path into the wood.

The stretch which goes from the church of San Giacomo almost to Passo del Mortirolo is the most demanding part of the trail. Near the hotel by the pass, turn right towards Pianaccio and Malga Andrina cowshed: the road is still paved with asphalt and presents markedly gentler slopes. After passing through a larch forest and Valle Varadega, it continues among the vast pastures in the area of low Malga Salina. North of this cowshed lie a portion of the Stelvio National Park and an area full of opportunities for winter activities such as snowshoeing and ski mountaineering.

Just past the cowshed, the climb ends.

You are in the part of the road which runs

between the lowest reaches of Monte Seroti in the north and Monte Pianaccio on the opposite side, on which there are artefacts and trenches dating back to the First World War. The long descent which follows must be approached with caution. From Pianaccio, the road turns sharply right heading south and after a few hairpin turns it continues to the left towards Cormignano, a small village in the municipality of Vezza d’Oglio from which you can enjoy a beautiful panorama. A little further down you reach the village of Grano, then the fork with the road for Val Grande, where you turn right again and go downhill. The fork with the state road is just a short distance away: continuing right on the state road you pass the villages of Davena and Incudine, just beyond which this circular itinerary closes.

Point of departure and arrival: Monno - Monno Type of bicycle required: mountain bike

Length Km 33

Difference in height m 1,270

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

21

ON THE RIDGE OF THE VALLEYS

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Edolo > Edolo

ON THE RIDGE BETWEEN VALLE CAMONICA AND VALTELLINA Several Giro d’Italia stages have run from Valle Camonica to Valtellina. Between Edolo and Tirano, the dividing ridge between the Oglio river basin to the southeast and the Adda river basin to the northwest is crossed, for a long stretch, by a high-altitude road which offers unobstructed views. In the months when the snow does not block the transit, this road is ideally suited for cycling and is the central part of this route, which is recommended for well-trained bikers.

The departure is from the railway station of Edolo, where you head north on Viale Derna until you turn left onto the road which leads to Passo Aprica. After almost fifteen kilometres, at the beginning of the village of Aprica, you turn right following the sign for Trivigno. The slope becomes more sustained until the first series of hairpin turns is passed, then it is milder in the stretch that flanks the area of Pian di Gembro peat bog.

Pass the detour for Stazzona on the left and you will immediately find a short steep stretch. The direction to follow is Passo del Mortirolo; you find another steep stretch and then you see the small church of Trivigno among the meadows.

Further effort is required to overcome the half kilometre of road which follows, after which you resume pedalling on a slight slope admiring a beautiful view towards Valli di Sant’Antonio near Corteno Golgi.

The road reaches Lake Lagazzuolo and Passo di Guspessa, which is followed by a section of ascending hairpin turns, and then a pleasant section which leads to Passo del Mortirolo.

Here begins the long descent; you pass the village of Monno and when you see the sign for the church of San Brizio, turn right and follow a stretch of paved road which goes across the Mortirolo torrent, then ride on dirt for a short distance.

Afterwards, continue on a mid-mountain trail among some cabins. You cycle until you find the asphalt and you go left downhill on the road to Mola. At the fork for Aprica, continue on the left for Edolo and you are back at the station.

Località di partenza e arrivo: Edolo, altitude m 670 Type of bicycle: mountain bike Closest railway station: Edolo (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 61

Difference in height m 1,330

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

23

PASSO DELL’APRICA

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

24

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Edolo > Passo dell’Aprica

THE ASCENT TO PASSO APRICA Among the climbs of Valle Camonica, one of the best known is the one which connects the village of Edolo to Passo Aprica, a pass between the provinces of Brescia and Sondrio. The notoriety of this pass among cyclists is due to its many inclusions in Giro d’Italia, which has used the pass on several occasions both as stage finish and as a means to move the peloton between Valtellina and Valle Camonica and lead athletes to more challenging climbs in this area of the Alps, in particular Gavia, Mortirolo, and Stelvio.

Ascending from Edolo along State Road 39 is not particularly worrisome. Indeed, the average slope is just over 3 percent and the maximum is around 7 percent, therefore moderate training is enough to cover the full distance at an average speed of around 20 kilometres per hour.

The departure can be the southern edge of the village of Edolo, where it is easy to park in the large lots near Università della Montagna. Hop on the saddle in the square which serves as

access to the railway station, follow Viale Derna, and climb between the houses heading north for a few hundred metres, until you get to the state road. Turn left.

The road continues westwards in Valle dell’Ogliolo, passes the fork for Vico, crosses Cortenedolo, and then passes by the forks for Lombro and Megno in the municipality of Corteno Golgi. After the access bridge to the centre of Corteno, you are about halfway up the slope: you pedal for a few hundred metres in the tunnel and then, with the floor of Valle di Sant’Antonio on your left (the fork is marked and is by a sawmill), you face a couple of kilometres on a more sustained slope. The paved road presents some narrower stretches in the following part and continues through the woods to reach the centre of Aprica by means of a last long straight stretch.

It is possible to reach Aprica from Edolo also through the road that passes from Santicolo, which has an incline reaching 10 percent in some sections.

Point of departure: Edolo, Via Sora south of the station, altitude m 667 Point of arrival: Passo dell’Aprica, altitude m 1,176 Type of bicycle: road bike Closest railway station: Edolo (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 16

Difference in height m 509

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

25

MONTE COLMO

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Edolo > Monte Colmo

DISCOVER A CHALLENGING CLIMB In Edolo, near the fork for Passo Aprica and Passo Tonale, there are some less well-known, less crowded, and often rather demanding climbs in the woods.

One of these develops along the asphalt road which connects Edolo to Monte Colmo. On the slopes of this mountain, between the municipality of Edolo and Sonico, lie the well-visible pressure pipes for water which feeds the large hydroelectric power plant built in the belly of the mountain, a prodigy of technology which can also be visited.

A panoramic road with little traffic allows you to reach the area above the pipes and offers the possibility, to the most well-trained cyclists, to cover a difference in height of more than one thousand metres. It’s a climb for

well-trained cyclists because the average slope is higher than 9 percent with peaks around 12 percent. The point of departure is in Edolo near the level crossing, at the intersection between Tonale state road and Via Monte Colmo (if necessary, you can follow the signs for Malga Stain cowshed which will take you almost to the end of the climb).

The first eight hundred metres run smoothly, then the road starts winding and the slope increases, always remaining above 10 percent for more than four kilometres. After the seventh kilometre, you enter the second part of the climb approaching the pressure pipes. A couple of kilometres later, when you attack a right hairpin turn flanked by the picnic area of Adamello Park in Pozzolo, you are less than three kilometres away from your destination.

At the next hairpin turn, the path to Malga Stain begins, to which follow two short tunnels in quick succession. Just outside of the second tunnel, you find yourself in a small flat area where you catch your breath while admiring a vast panorama which includes Edolo and the valley leading to Corteno Golgi and Passo dell’Aprica, Monno and Valle del Mortirolo, high Valle Camonica, and the road to Passo del Tonale.

Point of departure: Edolo, altitude m 670 Point of arrival: Monte Colmo, m 1,825 Type of bicycle: road bike Closest railway station: Edolo (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 13

Difference in height m 1,155

Difficulty HIGH

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

27

SANT’ANTONIO VALLEYS

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

28

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Sant’Antonio > Malga Casazza e Culvegla

IN THE VALLEYS WHERE NATURE REIGNS Those who follow the road which connects Valle Camonica to Valtellina through Passo dell’Aprica pass through Corteno Golgi, a municipality named after its illustrious citizen who was awarded with the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1906.

The southern portion of the municipality of Corteno Golgi hosts two intact valleys crossed by wild torrents with foaming waters: Valle Brandet and Valle di Campovecchio, on the bottom of which you find Valli di Sant’Antonio Nature Reserve. The slopes overlooking the two streams, up to the ridges which crown these mountains, house many interesting natural elements (alpine lakes, rare animal, and plant species) and signs of past human activities, which were carefully limited to building stone and wooden cabins and barns.

This area can be accessed from the village of Sant’Antonio through a road which passes by the Reserve Visitor Centre, open during the summer. From

the opening at the entrance of the village you can proceed towards the two valleys only on foot or by mountain bike.

The departure for bikers is quite rough because the initial stretch of road that leads to the fork between the two valleys is very steep.

At the fork marked by a fountain, which you will find after about one kilometre, continue straight entering into Val Brandet; the stream is always on the left and the slope decreases significantly once you reach the first group of cabins.

The road gradually ascends and crosses a small tributary, then becomes steeper in the section that precedes the arrival to Malga Casazza cowshed.

From here, you return to the fork for Valle di Campovecchio, where you turn left. The road advances in the forest alternating short gentle ascents with short descents, reaches a group of cabins and a hut and proceeds along the stream on a slight slope. As you approach the start of the valley, the slope increases and forces you work harder. After a couple of adjacent fords, you ride again for a short distance until you reach Malga Culvegla cowshed, and from there you return to Sant’Antonio.

Point of departure: Sant’Antonio di Corteno Golgi, altitude m 1,120 Point of arrival: Malga Casazza in Val Brandet and Malga Culvegla in Valle di Campovecchio Dislivello: m 912 (m 354 for Malga Casazza and m 558 for Malga Culvegla) Type of bicycle: mountain bike

Length Km 23

Difference in height m 912

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

29

VALLE DI SAVIORE

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Cevo > Rifugio Prudenzini

THE GATE TO ADAMELLO One of the most popular routes which lead to the great Adamello glacier starts from Rifugio Prudenzini hut in Val Salarno. The lower part of this splendid valley can be discovered also by mountain bike, along a trail which has the hut itself as its final destination. This is a challenging route because of the difference in height and the type of road, with uneven sections and steep slopes.

To approach the starting point, drive up Valle di Saviore. You can choose to drive from the bottom of Valle Camonica taking the provincial road in Demo and pass through the villages of Berzo and Monte, or leave from Cedegolo and pass

by Andrista and Fresine. Both options take you to the village of Cevo where you park in the centre of the village. Then, you start pedalling in the direction of Saviore.

The road runs in the upper portion of the village; after you leave the village, continue on the road following the signs for Val Salarno. The narrow ribbon of asphalt continues into the wood, offering a good level of shading and a beautiful view of the valley below. The road ends in Fabrezza; near the parking lot you will find an information board and signs for hiking trails.

Follow the sign for Rifugio Prudenzini, which leads to a fairly wide mule-track paved with stones and cement, whose

change in incline immediately forces you to change gear.

After winding along the bubbly waters of Poia di Salarno stream, you reach the fork for Lago (lake) di Bos, followed by the peaty area near Malga Macesso di Sotto cowshed. After this, you find difficult hairpin turns which bring you to a higher altitude

by Lago Salarno dam, surrounded by numerous peaks.

You pass near Lago Dosazzo and continue to pedal towards the head of the valley.

This last stretch is on a trail. From Rifugio Prudenzini hut, Val Salarno can be admired in all its beauty, while Piano di Neve glacier above greets the bikers.

Point of departure: Cevo, altitude m 1,060 Point of arrival: Rifugio Prudenzini hut, altitude m 2,235 Type of bicycle: mountain bike

Length Km 15

Difference in height m 1,175

Difficulty MEDIUM

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

31

PASSO DEL VIVIONE

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

32

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Berzo Demo > Passo del Vivione

OROBIE GREEN ROAD Giro d’Italia has passed a few times from Passo del Vivione, the pass in Valle Camonica which connects the Bergamo and Brescia sides of the Orobie Mountains.

Ascending from the Valle Camonica side is challenging, with an average slope close to 7 percent and the maximum slope approaching 11 percent. When you ride the twenty kilometres of this road on your bike, you embark on a journey full of sport and nature: the road winds in an area characterized by forests, pastures, old abandoned mines, and streams with crystalline waters. The track was built by the army: a characteristic granite stone marker is located at the beginning of the road and two more follow before reaching the pass with the indication of progressive kilometres 79 and 80.

The starting point is located in Forno Allione, a village in the municipality of Berzo Demo located along the road running along the bottom of Valle Camonica. At the beginning, the climb develops on a fairly wide roadway through the meadows, passes the fork for Malonno and the educational chestnut wood in Plas, and continues on slopes which can be attacked without too much effort until Paisco.

In this small town, you pass on the right of the municipal building and on the left of the alpine botanical garden. You can catch your breath in the following section, which has less incline.

After passing the bed of the stream in Valle di Scala, there is a short steep section near the fork for Grumello and Loveno. In the vicinity of the barrier, the road flanks some wooden sculptures; it

narrows and requires sustained effort for a few kilometres.

Around the fifteenth kilometre, you can admire the Pizzolo waterfall on the right but bring your concentration right back to your pedals because the final section of the climb is still hard.

The pass is located in a wide, fascinating alpine setting. The route you followed is also called “Strada Verde delle Orobie” (Orobie Green Road).

Point of departure: Forno Allione di Berzo Demo, m 465 Point of arrival: Passo del Vivione, m 1,828 Type of bicycle: road bike Closest railway station: Forno d’Allione and Malonno (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 20

Difference in height m 1,363

Difficulty HIGH

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

33

FROM MALEGNO TO BORNO

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

34

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Malegno > Borno

A CLIMB FOR EVERYONE Just over twenty kilometres north of Lake Iseo, in the area where Concarena, Pizzo Badile Camuno, and some other famous mountains around Valle Camonica can be observed, lies the municipality of Malegno. In this small municipality composed of the towns of Malegno and Lanico (crossed by a torrent by the same name) you can visit “Le Fudine” Civic Iron Ethnographic Museum and “Museo del Lambic”, Civic Alembic Ethnographic Museum.

From the village, you can ride the provincial road which leads to Borno and to the administrative limit of the

province of Bergamo, which initially is a panoramic ascent with varying degrees of difficulty.

The initial section crosses the tracks of the railway and runs along a straight line which ends with a turn to the left in front of the sports field. If you continue to the right, you can reach the historic village centre. The bike itinerary takes you left and away from the village with a succession of ample hairpin turns. This ascent has an incline between 6 and 8

percent so it is not too demanding, and allows you to admire the landscape which becomes more open the more you climb.

After the fourth hairpin turn and just over a couple of kilometres from the start, continue straight past the fork for Lozio. The road crosses a beautiful area full of meadows in Fornace, passes near Dossi del Cerreto mountain, and then heads towards Ossimo Inferiore with a long, straight stretch passing through the upper part of the village.

At this point, you have already covered most of the difference in height; only about three kilometres separate you from the centre of Borno. There is no shortage of reasons to stop in this town; one is to admire the typical houses, historic towers, and sacred buildings.

Point of departure: Malegno, altitude m 280 Point of arrival: Borno, m 885 Type of bicycle: road bike Closest railway station: Cividate Malegno (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 10

Difference in height m 605

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

35

PASSO CROCE DOMINI

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

36

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Breno > Passo Croce Domini

WHERE THE THREE VALLEYS MEET Passo Croce Domini displays a cross from which it takes its name. The wrought iron artefact served to signal the border between the territories dominated by the Republic of Venice and those under the control of the Bishop of Trento.

There were never battles to conquer these border lands, because they had few resources and were often covered in snow. Only the pass has historically represented one of the few elements of interest because it made it possible to connect Valle Camonica with Valli Giudicarie and from there reach upper Lake Garda.

In more recent times, the road which leads to the pass has become a strategic tourism asset and today connects Valle Camonica to Valle Sabbia and also Valle Trompia, the three main valleys in the province of Brescia. The pass is crossed not only by cars and motorcyclists but also by many cyclists and has been included in Giro d’Italia stages four time: 1970, 1976, 1982, and 1998. On 4th June 1998, during the stage from Cavalese to Montecampione, Marco Pantani started his peremptory attack to test the resistance of Russian cyclist Tonkov, who had to give in to Pantani’s power and determination during an epic stage finish.

The ascent to Passo Croce Domini from Valle Camonica starts from the centre of the village of Breno, from where you follow clear signs to the pass, and passes through Pescarzo and Astrio. The whole itinerary develops over a length of 20 kilometres, with an average slope of around 7.5 percent and maximum slope close to 15 percent.

Some challenging sections must be tackled with careful balancing of your effort, for example the stretch following the small group of buildings in Degna and the one which precedes the arrival in Bazena. The pass is located in the southern portion of the Adamello Mountains group.

Point of departure: Breno, altitude m 346 Point of arrival: Passo di Croce Domini, m 1,892 Type of bicycle: road bike Closest railway station: Breno (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 20

Difference in height m 1,546

Difficulty HIGH

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

37

FORESTS AND MINES

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

38

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Breno > Breno

IN VAL GRIGNA Located on the left side of mid- Valle Camonica, Val Grigna is a valley rich in naturalistic highlights. You can ride across part of the valley on your mountain bike along a challenging itinerary that will satisfy even the most demanding bikers.

From Breno, you cover the entire long road which leads to Passo Croce Domini, but once there you keep climbing on the dirt road on the right leading to Passo Maniva. When you reach the ruins of a barrack after Lago di Lavena (lake), leave the road and go right until you reach Malga Lavena cowshed.

Continue downhill until Casinone di Arcina and once there turn right until Malga Arcina, immersed in a charming natural setting.

You ford a stream and then cross the bridge over the stream coming from Valle Travagnolo, and a little further at a fork you continue left on asphalt. When you reach “Ponte dei Signori” bridge, cross it and you will soon find another fork: take the road to the right and go downhill, crossing another bridge followed by a short ascending stretch.

At the subsequent fork, go right following the sign for Bienno, which is also marked with a tricolour sign as the path dedicated to “Brigata Fiamme Verdi Ferruccio Lorenzini”.

The descent develops along a narrow asphalt road which runs along the right orographic side of Val Grigna, at a higher altitude than the stream.

You pass the small chapel of “Santel de Parais”, and one kilometre after it you come to a fork where you go left and continue downhill. After passing under the pressure pipes you arrive to the industrial zone; cross a bridge and reach the stop sign in front of the cemetery where you turn left between the houses.

You then leave the municipality of Prestine and enter the municipality of Bienno north of the town; you engage uphill to reach the top of the last slight climb and can then ride your mountain bike along the panoramic descent which leads you back to Breno.

Point of departure and arrival: Breno, altitude m 670 Type of bicycle: mountain bike Closest railway station: Breno (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 48

Difference in height m 1670

Difficulty MEDIUM

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

39

BRENO - BIENNO THE ARTISTIC HERITAGE OF BRENO AND BIENNO Due to its geographical position, Breno is one of the reference points for the entire Valle Camonica. The town and the villages under its administration (Astrio, Mezzarro, Pescarzo) boast numerous squares, historic buildings, towers, and churches which constitute an artistic itinerary of undisputable

40

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

interest. The moderate distance between Breno and Bienno, just as rich in attractions, offers cyclists the possibility to discover these two towns through a circular itinerary, and the flexibility to craft it to make it most suitable for your training wishes and functional to the cultural stops you want to make.

Breno > Breno

From the centre of Breno, climb from the town hall area towards Passo Croce Domini. Do not worry about the steep climb at the beginning because it is short-lived; after it, you pedal more effortlessly passing near the ancient parish church of San Maurizio, with the nearby Cappella dei Morti (Chapel of the Dead), and the fifteenth-century Shrine of San Valentino.

Beyond the small village of Pescarzo, the difference in height you have already reached allows you admire the castle below and the mid-valley area with Oglio River. You can also see the opposite side of Concarena Mountains.

After passing the small village of Astrio, you reach a fork where you turn right towards Bienno. This town is rich in

Valle Camonica

civil and religious architecture and is a member of the Association of Most Beautiful Small Towns in Italy. In the historic centre, you can see medieval buildings and towers.

The fifteenth-century church of Santa Maria Annunciata is also very interesting, with works by Romanino and Pietro da Cemmo. Bienno is famous for traditional iron work; you can learn more by visiting the Fucina Museum, the mill, and the forges. On the way back to Breno, you can visit the Shrine of Santa Maria Maddalena with the great golden statue of Christ the King (Cristo Re), the Hermitage (Eremo) of Santi Pietro e Paolo, and then the castle with its archaeologically relevant area.

Point of departure and arrival: Breno, altitude m 329 Type of bicycle: road bike

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Closest railway station: Breno (www.trenord.it)

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Length Km 18

Difference in height m 530

Difficulty EASY

Pianura bresciana

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

41

VAL DI SCALVE

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

42

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Angolo Terme > Angolo Terme

BETWEEN GORGES AND FORESTS Along Valle di Scalve, a right orographic tributary of Valle Camonica, you can find a very charming itinerary which follows the old “Via Mala” route.

This road running between the provinces of Brescia and Bergamo is one of the most spectacular roads in Europe, a daring construction project which dates back to 1861.

The path was partially secured, but is sometimes still potentially subject to falling rocks. Because of this and of the characteristics of the landscape, this itinerary is recommended in the summer.

You can reach the village of Angolo by car from Darfo and park near the thermal spa. You then climb on your mountain bike and ride in the direction of Vilminore di Scalve, and in less than one kilometre you leave the provincial road and turn right to engage in the first section of the so-called “Via Mala”, whose name reflects that of a similar route built in Switzerland.

The road passes close to the hydroelectric plant and then continues until it merges back onto the provincial road. The following section passes at the bottom of Val Padone and then continues along the lower edge of Val di Scalve Regional Forest and the river until it enters the municipality of Bergamo.

Wherever you can circumvent tunnels, you will find clear signs that will take you to the external sections and immerse you into an impressive environment composed of waterfalls and high rocky walls.

Just before reaching Dezzo di Scalve, turn right at the sign for Borno. For a few hundred metres the slope is moderately steep, then it goes up to 12 percent

between the first and second kilometres after the bridge on Dezzo River. When you reach the village of Dosso, you continue with less effort for a couple of kilometres, then you pedal more strenuously to pass Paline and reach a widening with the sign for Prave, where you turn right.

Continue right at the fork between the houses until you reach the church where the descent along the left side of Val di Scalve begins, with some steep and uneven sections. Once you find the asphalt, you pass under the pressure pipes and a little later you get back to the starting point.

Point of departure and arrival: Angolo Terme, altitude m 360 Type of bicycle: mountain bike

Length Km 31

Difference in height m 800

Difficulty MEDIUM

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

43

MONTECAMPIONE Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

44

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Pian Camuno > Montecampione

IN MEMORY OF MARCO PANTANI In lower Valle Camonica, a road is inextricably linked to one of the protagonists of the history of Italian cycling. The road connects Pian Camuno and Artogne to Montecampione, and the cyclist who made it famous more than any other was Marco Pantani.

The first year Giro d’Italia included this ascent was 1982. Bernard Hinault won that year. Sixteen years later, on 4th June 1998, this high-altitude area (which in winter is used for downhill skiing) was again included in the race for the Pink Jersey as the finish of the stage which started in Cavalese. The Pirate (as Pantani was called) first broke the resistance of Swiss athlete Alex Zulle during the ascent to Passo Croce Domini then performed a series of attacks aimed at having Pavel Tonkov on the ropes. The strenuous resistance of the Russian, Pantani’s most feared opponent, allowed him to stay head to head with Pantani until less than three kilometres from the finish line. In the last part of the climb, however, Tonkov had to give way to the power of Pantani and his intense attacks. Accompanied on both sides of the road by a large and festive crowd, cheered by those who followed him live on television with the emotional comments of Adriano De Zan, Pantani crossed the finish line with his eyes closed and arms raised to the sky, waiting for almost a minute for the arrival

of the exhausted Russian.

After this historic victory, he went on to win Giro d’Italia 1998 and in the same year also Tour de France.

The many cyclists who still attempt this ascent need to know that the incline, although not reaching a significant value, remains constant between 7 and 8 percent and rarely falls below these values. The start is from Pian Camuno at the roundabout between Via Galilei and Via Provinciale; for the first eleven kilometres, the slope is around 8 percent. After climbing Alpiaz, you can catch your breath thanks to a rather long stretch before having to engage significantly again for the last five kilometres, which have an average incline approaching 9 percent.

After Prato Secondino, the road passes the large parking lot which was the stage finish in 1998 and after the last challenging hairpin turns you reach the final roundabout in Plan.

Point of departure: Pian Camuno, Colombine area, altitude m 203 Point of arrival: Plan di Montecampione, altitude m 1,744 Type of bicycle: road bike Closest railway station: Pian Camuno (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 20

Difference in height m 1,541

Difficulty High

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

45

COLLE SAN ZENO

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

46

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Pisogne > Colle San Zeno

BETWEEN LAKE ISEO AND VALLE TROMPIA There is a pass located between Lake Iseo and upper Valle Trompia which offers interesting opportunities for cyclists. It’s Colle San Zeno, a hill in the middle of the ridge which connects Monte Guglielmo to Montecampione, a land also known for its hiking and ski mountaineering itineraries.

The long asphalt road which leads to Colle San Zeno from the Lake Iseo side offers pleasant views and has an average slope of about 7 percent and a maximum slope of 12 percent. It is a rather challenging ascent. From Lake Iseo, you start pedalling from the centre of Pisogne passing by the nearby church of Santa Maria della Neve, which houses a precious series of frescoes by Romanino.

This is where the real climb begins.

Beyond the nearby parish church of Santa Maria in Silvis, on the edge of the inhabited area, follow a sequence of hairpin turns which offer ever changing views of lower Valle Camonica and Lake Iseo.

At the fork, don’t follow the direction for Grignaghe (which would lead you to a more challenging variation for Colle San Zeno through Passabocche and Colle Marino); follow the easier road to the village of Sonvico Inferiore and Shrine of Madonna delle Longhe.

Another sequence of hairpin turns takes you to the village of Fraine and then, in a pleasant setting of meadows and woods, to the heart of Val Palot. Around the eleventh kilometre from the start, you cross a slight slope at the end of which you continue to climb with a sudden change in incline as you pass by the access to the ski area. A long, almost straight, south-bound stretch requires a more sustained effort, but the destination is not far away. After a hairpin turn to

the left in view of Monte Guglielmo, the last stretch leading to Colle San Zeno is less steep. Hiking signs highlight the numerous opportunities that the area offers, with several dirt roads and mountain bike trails.

On the opposite side of the hill the view opens up over Valle Trompia.

Point of departure: Pisogne, altitude m 190 Point of arrival: Colle San Zeno, altitude m 1,434 Type of bicycle: road bike Closest railway station: Pisogne (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 17

Difference in height m 1244

Difficulty MEDIUM

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

47

VELLO - TOLINE

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

48

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Vello di Marone > Toline di Pisogne

THE OLD COASTAL ROAD The eastern coast of Lake Iseo has several attractive features; one of which is highly appreciated by those who want to enjoy the vast surface of the water up close, without being disturbed by motor vehicles. The opportunity to walk or ride caressed only by the lake breeze is offered by the former coastal road which connects Vello di Marone to Toline di Pisogne. “Step by step, let the path open to contemplate the beauty of these places now visible after long oblivion.

Take good care of this road which the commitment of many has returned to you, oh traveller…” These words are engraved on a plate which can be read at the beginning of the path.

The itinerary is completely flat. It qualifies as a pedestrian and bicycle path, shared by cyclists and pedestrians, the latter always having the right of way. Compliance with some common sense rules explained on specific signs makes the route enjoyable and safe for everyone, including families with children. To ensure greater safety, it is also advisable to avoid travelling in bad weather conditions, during which there is higher probability that stones fall from the slopes above.

The path can be accessed from the village of Vello, at a short distance from Marone, a sun-lit area with olive groves which also hosts the sacred buildings of Chiesa dei Morti (Church of the Dead - bordering the street) and the parish church of Sant’Eufemia (in the upper part of the village). A short tunnel preceded by a barrier represents the beginning of the route, which immediately reveals its main characterizing elements. These include high vertical cliffs which plunge into the water and a bold track, carved into the rock at the foot of Corna Trentapassi, a

popular destination on this side of the lake with its peak a thousand metres above. The slightly winding path passes Valle Fredda and Val Finale and ends at Punta delle Croci Bresciane promontory, where Lake Iseo has its narrowest section.

Once you pass around Croci Bresciane, the distance which separates Vello from the end of the bicycle path and from the village of Toline is almost entirely covered.

If you decide to continue, you can reach Pisogne.

Point of departure: Vello di Marone, altitude m 190 Point of arrival: Toline di Pisogne, altitude m 190 Type of bicycle: city bike, road bike Closest railway station: Vello di Marone and Toline di Pisogne (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 5

Difference in height -

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

49

ON THE SHORE OF LAKE ISEO

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

50

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Pisogne > Paratico

THE COASTAL ROUTE BETWEEN PISOGNE AND PARATICO In Pisogne, the Oglio River flows into Lake Iseo. This bike itinerary follows the eastern side of the river starting at the edge of the town, where its waters enter the lake.

The start of the route, called Ciclovia del Fiume Oglio, is located between the lake and the edge of the medieval town of Pisogne. There, you can observe numerous historical buildings and towers near the square called Piazza Vescovo Corna Pellegrini, as well as the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta.

From the town, you ride south and after passing the district of Govine, which houses the ruins of a smelting furnace and an iron wheel, you get to Toline, a small village located between Valle di San Bartolomeo to the north and Valle dell’Acqua to the south.

Immediately after the inhabited area,

you turn right onto the old coastal road: in a fascinating setting of vertical cliffs jutting from the flat surface of the lake you reach Vello di Marone with the small Chiesa dei Morti (Church of the Dead) a short distance from the town.

The village of Marone is not far: you get there via a short stretch in a tunnel and then you ride along the lakefront passing in front of the parish church of San Martino. The quiet pace of the ride, always in view of Monte Isola, leads from Marone to Sale Marasino, with the sacred area of the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta and San Zenone, and then to Sulzano passing near the town hall.

After Pilzone and Covelo with the large rocky Büs del Quai cave, the bicycle path reaches Iseo and crosses the town centre along the lake. There are many reasons which call for a stop in Iseo, including visiting its historical centre with its defensive structures, the sacred area of the parish church of Sant’Andrea, Oldofredi Castle, and more.

It is time to continue towards the northernmost area of the Torbiere (Peat Bogs) Reserve and from there to Clusane and Paratico, where the lake ends and the Oglio River restarts flowing towards the plain.

Point of departure: Pisogne, altitude m 190 Point of arrival: Paratico, altitude m 190 Type of bicycle: road bike, cycle tourism Closest railway station: Pisogne (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 30

Difference in height -

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

51

AROUND MARONE

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

52

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Colpiano di Marone > Colpiano di Marone

IN VALLE DELL’OPOLO Passo Croce di Marone and Forcella di Sale are two fundamental crossroads for the extensive network of paths in the mountains of eastern Lake Iseo. Both these passes are used to reach the tops of Monte Guglielmo and Punta Almana, and are connected to each other with a pleasant mountain road which represents a rewarding ride for mountain bikers.

To access Croce di Marone, you can choose to leave from Colpiano. You reach this village in the municipality of Marone through Provincial Road 510; the exit for the village is clearly indicated and corresponds with the exit for Zone. Just after the tunnel, you reach the upper part of the village of Colpiano, where you park. You then start pedalling uphill towards Zone until, after about three kilometres, you reach the fork for Valle dell’Opolo, where you turn right. The slope significantly increases right away; afterwards, you proceed on an easier stretch until the meadows and rock walls adjacent to the Shrine of Madonna della Rota. After the church, the paved road becomes steep again and requires focus and effort to reach Croce di Marone. Here you will find a service area and enjoy a beautiful view. You follow the uphill road for only two hundred metres and then turn left towards Forcella di Sale, which

is reached by passing through Passo Spino, mainly downhill but with short steep climbs.

From Forcella di Sale, take the extremely steep descent on cement and after one kilometre you reach Baita Noase cabin; here, turn right following the indication for Anello 1 (Circuit 1) of “Malghe in rete”. The first section is very uneven but on the one which follows you will ride on cement. You pass the sign for an agritourism on the left and find a fork seven hundred metres ahead; turn right.

You then cross Valle dei Novali and continue to descend as you look at the lake in front of you. Enter asphalt road Via Matteotti from the right; a few hundred metres further on you will see a sign of ancient pilgrim route Antica Strada Valeriana. Following the indications for this road (yellow and brown W) you return to the initial parking lot, passing beautiful scenic settings and a short section of steps along which you push the bike by hand.

Point of departure and arrival: Colpiano di Marone, altitude m 190 Type of bicycle: mountain bike Closest railway station: Marone (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 21

Difference in height m 837

Difficulty MEDIUM

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

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MONTE GUGLIELMO

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Cisano di Zone > Monte Guglielmo

TREKKING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING Monte Guglielmo is one of the most popular mountains in the whole province of Brescia all year round, for the variety of routes and the open views it offers. You can reach its top by hiking and also by mountain biking.

The most popular bike route is the one which follows the road starting from Croce di Marone, a place that can be reached through the provincial road which connects Marone to Zone along Valle di Gasso.

Ascend by car to Zone and reach Cislano, where you park at the fork and follow the road on the right, at the beginning of which you find the sign for Monte Guglielmo.

In the first section, on the opposite side

of the valley you can admire the rocky Corni Stretti mountain, while the suspended carts to Marone leave from the nearby Calarusso quarry. The ride is quite hard not only because of the incline, but also for some uneven sections of the road. You can nevertheless still ride the whole length of the route.

To reach Passo Croce di Marone, you have to climb until you merge onto the road which rises from Valle dell’Opolo and continue left for a short distance. At Passo Croce di Marone, you are almost half way to Monte Guglielmo and the direction to follow is well marked. You continue on the road and pass by Rifugio Malpensata hut, after which you enter into Val d’Inzino, one of Val Trompia’s right side valleys.

The paved road climbs without any major challenges until it reaches Malga Guglielmo di Sotto cowshed and after a couple of kilometres Malga Guglielmo di Sopra cowshed, where you find an information board about the “Malghe in rete” (Cowshed network) project.

This is where the effort significantly increases, first on the very steep section which leads to Rifugio Almici hut, then on the section which leads directly to the nearby Cristo Redentore (Christ the Redeemer) monument at the top. The final part is bumpy and you will need to push your mountain bike by hand. The descent follows the same route.

Point of departure: Cislano di Zone, fork for Val di Gasso, altitude m 618 Point of arrival: Monte Guglielmo, altitude m 1,948 Type of bicycle: mountain bike

Length Km 14

Difference in height m 1,330

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

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THE OIL ROUTE

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Marone > Marone

NATURAL BALCONIES OVER LAKE ISEO Starting from the centre of the village of Marone, leave the coastal road following the signs for Zone.

The climb articulates on moderate slopes with a short steep section only when crossing Colpiano. During the ride, you can therefore focus on admiring Lake Iseo and observing the natural landscape: below, olive trees from which the prestigious DOP extra virgin olive oil Laghi Lombardi is produced; above, meadows and forests on Punta Cunicolo and Monte Vignole.

The road leads you to the scenographic natural phenomenon called earth pyramids and, a little further on, passes

the village of Cislano with the churches of San Giorgio and San Cassiano.

When you reach the village of Zone, continue towards Cusato, go up through the houses and turn left onto Via Ciclamino. After passing Valle di Tuf, the road surface alternates stretches on dirt and cement. Continue uphill for a short distance and then start to go down past some apple orchards, until you reach a left turn where the trail becomes a path and enters the woods. The uneven section between stones is less than three hundred metres and, at the end, the descent continues to the right on a dirt road passing near a chestnut grove (by Monte Marone).

After a short steep section on cement, you cross a paved road; follow it for a very short distance and proceed straight on the descent which winds through vineyards and olive groves.

Close to the quarry there is a very steep cobbled mule track which offers glimpses of Marone and Lake Iseo. Near some houses, you go down a cobblestone road which then becomes an asphalt road.

After crossing the railway tracks, follow the Bagnadore stream and you reach the centre of Marone again.

Point of departure and arrival: Marone, m 196 Type of bicycle: mountain bike Closest railway station: Marone (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 13

Difference in height m 501

Difficulty MEDIUM

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

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MONTE ISOLA SURROUNDED BY THE LAKE

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

There is a happy island awaiting bikers, surrounded by Lake Iseo and characterized by a rather tall mountain, a place where car traffic is almost non-existent and bicycles are the preferred means to get around.

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Monte Isola > Monte Isola

This place is called Monte Isola. It offers cyclists numerous reasons to visit: natural landscapes and farmland, small and charming villages, churches, and scenic roads.

You access the island by ferry from Sulzano (you can take your bicycle on board). The short ride to Peschiera Maraglio will give you a pleasant feeling of tranquility.

One of the main options for cyclists is indicated for those who are well-trained and can engage in the ascent to the summit, while the other option is for those who wish to pedal with less effort along the island perimeter.

Both routes have the first stretch in common: a flat coastal road overlooking the islet of San Paolo which reaches Sensole and then, slightly uphill, Menzino.

Immediately after this village, at the

church of San Carlo, you arrive at the fork with the indication for the Shrine of Madonna della Ceriola.

If you want to reach the top of the island, turn right and engage in a climb of increasing difficulty: first, six hundred tiring metres to reach Senzano, then over one kilometre with peak inclines of 18 percent in the stretch that connects Senzano to Cure, the highest village.

The white church of Cure seems close enough, but to get there you have to overcome a steep paved stretch among chestnut trees followed by a dirt road that passes right of the Via Crucis installation, on steep slope. The view from the terrace of the shrine repays you of your effort. To return, descend towards Cure and then Masse, Olzano, and Siviano, where you get back on the circular route at the bottom and head towards Carzano.

The perimeter of the island is easier.

From Menzino, you continue towards Siviano and reach the highest point of the circular route near Sinchignano.

You proceed downhill from Siviano to Carzano in view of the islet of Loreto, then take the long flat road which leads to Peschiera Maraglio.

Point of departure: Peschiera Maraglio Point of arrival (top of Monte Isola): Santuario Madonna della Ceriola, m 593 Type of bicycle: mountain bike for the ascent to the shrine / city bike for the perimeter Closest railway station: Sulzano (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 15 (Shrine)

Km 9

(perimeter)

Difference in height m 403 (Shrine)

m 79

(perimeter)

Difficulty MEDIUM (Shrine)

EASY

(perimeter)

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

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LOWER LAKE ISEO Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Iseo > Iseo

PANORAMAS FROM SANTA MARIA DEL GIOGO The mountains of southern Lake Iseo hide a considerably challenging climb for cyclists: it follows the road which leads from Sulzano to the Shrine of Santa Maria del Giogo, has an average slope of 11 percent, and some stretches higher than 20.

The shrine is located at a pass which has been used for centuries and from where you can admire a beautiful view of Lake Iseo and sometimes, in the clearest days, even see up to Monte Rosa.

You can start almost at the centre of Iseo (Via Roma); you pedal through the town towards the Covelo roundabout, and from here on go left towards Pisogne. When you reach Sulzano, leave the coastal road and turn right following the sign for Nistisino and Santa Maria del Giogo.

As soon as the next level crossing is passed, the slope of the road increases significantly and remains sustained for the next three kilometres, presenting only a few short stretches with a milder incline.

Turn left at the fork for San Fermo; one hundred metres further you pass under the provincial road to Valle Camonica.

After less than three kilometres, there is a fork where you continue left towards Santa Maria del Giogo: the slope diminishes but the climb still requires sustained effort.

The narrow road now passes by some meadows at the edge of a forest and then enters between the trees. Less than two kilometres from your destination there is a beautiful

panoramic spot with unobstructed view of the Nistisino area and the lake.

Afterwards, the remainder of the road – about one kilometre – is easier and will end at an opening.

To reach the shrine, you will alternate riding your mountain bike and having to push in by hand.

Descend past the Alpini building and continue on a dirt road to a nearby fork where you take the path for Polaveno on the left. The track goes down until you pass a barrier, continues right, and merges onto the road to Nistisino where it turns left, eventually reaching the road which connects Polaveno to Iseo. Turn right on this road and go downhill to return to the centre of Iseo.

Point of departure and arrival: Iseo, altitude m 194 Type of bicycle: mountain bike Closest railway station: Iseo (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 25

Difference in height m 713

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

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BETWEEN ISEO AND POLAVENO

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Iseo > Passo dei Tre Termini

FROM LAKE ISEO TO VALLE TROMPIA To go from Lake Iseo to Valle Trompia, in addition to numerous hiking trails you will also find some passes open to cars and therefore accessible to road bikes.

The southernmost pass connects the town of Iseo to Polaveno in Val Trompia and is called Passo dei Tre Termini.

The route which leads to this pass from Lake Iseo is always very popular among cyclists. It is an ascent with rather low average slope (about 6 percent) and moderate length, and is therefore accessible to those who have a basic level of training. However, even well-trained bikers use it when they want to refine their preparation using long gears.

From the centre of Iseo (Via Roma) go up along Via Silvio Bonomelli until you pass under the link road to the provincial road which descends towards the lake.

Continue past the first panoramic right hairpin turn. A long, almost straight stretch passes by the pillars of the elevated state road, before presenting a large turn to the left overlooked by a forest of chestnut trees. In the section of road that follows you can admire the beautiful view of lower Lake Iseo and then you take a wide turn to the right and cycle between olive and cypress trees. After a long turn to the left near Bosine, you will lose sight of the lake for the rest of the ride. Farms, meadows, woods, and vineyards border the road,

which is always smooth. The final stretch is a climb without turns which requires a little extra effort and will take you to the sign for Passo dei Tre Termini, located at the foot of the southern slope of Punta dell’Orto.

You can return by the same way or extend the route with a short transfer to Polaveno and from there you descend to Ome and return from Monticelli Brusati and Provaglio d’Iseo.

If you have a mountain bike, you can select alternative descent routes such as the one connecting Zoadello di Polaveno to Monticelli Brusati.

Point of departure: Iseo, altitude m 201 Point of arrival: Passo dei Tre Termini, altitude m 673 Type of bicycle: road bike Closest railway station: Iseo (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 8

Difference in height m 472

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

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LAKE ISEO CIRCUIT THE GIMONDIBIKE ROUTE One of the most anticipated annual mountain bike events starts in Iseo. Since its first edition in 2001, Gimondibike has become an

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Iseo > Iseo

international off-roading event. The name comes from famous road cyclist Felice Gimondi, winner of three Giro d’Italia, one Tour de France, and one world championship.

This race has now become not only one memorable experience for participating athletes and amateurs, but also a festival which attracts tourists and locals.

The event, typically held between the end of summer and the beginning of fall, fully showcases Lake Iseo and Franciacorta by emphasizing the beauty of the lake and surrounding hilly landscape.

The proximity of Lake Iseo mitigates the temperature, both in summer and in winter, thus creating the conditions for riders to pleasantly recreate the race in every season of the year. This is why the signs indicating the Gimondibike track are left year round at the forks and are easy to follow by those who want to

train before the race or just use the signs as guide along roads and paths which lead to the discovery of hidden corners of this portion of the province of Brescia.

The itinerary starts from the centre of the town of Iseo, reaches the fork for Polaveno and climbs to Santa Teresa and then to Marus, at an altitude of 567 metres, the highest point on the route.

The descent that follows leads to Provezze, from where it continues for about twenty kilometres with a continuous series of short climbs and descents among hills, vineyards, fields, small woods, and even wineries, villages, and castles (Passirano and Bornato). Once in Provaglio, you face the challenging climb of Madonna del Corno.

At the end of this tiring kilometre and a half you face the last descent which leads you across the railway and quickly returns to the centre of Iseo.

Point of departure and arrival: Iseo, altitude m 190 Type of bicycle: mountain bike Closest railway station: Iseo (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 40

Difference in height m 377

Difficulty MEDIUM

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

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PEATBOGS DISCOVER THE MONASTERY Torbiere del Sebino (Sebino is an ancient name for Lake Iseo) constitute one of the most evocative and important landscapes of the Lake Iseo

area. In order to respect the natural environment (birds and vegetation in particular), the area of the peat bog reserve is not accessible by bicycle, but you can still ride around the perimeter of this beautiful area located

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Provaglio d’Iseo > Provaglio d’Iseo

between the lake and the vineyards of Franciacorta.

From the Provaglio-Timoline station, cycle on Via Stazione Nuova towards Provaglio d’Iseo until you reach a roundabout where you turn left. A short

distance away is the complex of the monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa, a group of buildings of artistic and historical interest worthy of a stop, and a pedestrian access to the Reserve.

The section which follows goes towards Iseo and passes under the railway, continues at the foot of Monte della Madonna and borders the eastern perimeter of the reserve. At the next big fork, turn left and go past the sports field. At the following crossroads, turn right and immediately after turn left to merge onto Via Colombera, on which you continue westwards between the Lamette area and the lake to the north, and the Lame area to the south.

At the end of Via Colombera, turn left and then immediately right at the roundabout following the direction for Cremignane.

You stay on the provincial road, which is sometimes flanked by a bike lane, until you reach Timoline di Corte Franca, and here in the adjacency of the church turn left towards Provaglio (Via Roveglia).

By following Via Brescia, you are now on the Franciacorta Wine Route, which offers wide views towards lower Lake Iseo and a relaxing landscape full of tidy vineyards.

Keep the same direction to cycle on Via Stazione Nuova, which takes you to the train station where you departed.

Point of departure and arrival: Provaglio-Timoline station, altitude m 206 Type of bicycle: city bike, road bike Closest railway station: Provaglio-Timoline (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 12

Difference in height m 20

Difficulty EASY

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

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FRANCIACORTA PEDALLING AMONG VINEYARDS AND CASTLES Franciacorta gives bikers who want to go on a quiet ride the opportunity to

admire historical palaces, convents, shrines, abbeys, chapels, churches, and castles. You can admire part of this architectural heritage following this easy bicycle itinerary.

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Lago d’Idro

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Pianura bresciana

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

Passirano > Passirano

The departure is from the town hall square of Passirano, where you start pedalling west on Via LibertĂ for a short distance, until you turn left onto Via Castello. After passing the fourteenth century fortified building, you continue and enter the municipality of Cazzago San Martino, where you reach and go through the village of Bornato. Just outside this village, you pass next to another castle, expanded and reinforced in the thirteenth century over a pre-existing structure, in which poet Dante Alighieri also found hospitality.

After crossing the tracks of the railway line to Edolo, continue cycling following

the signs for Calino: pass through the northern portion of the village and turn right merging onto the provincial road, entering the municipality of Adro.

The direction to follow in the following section is that for Torbiato. As soon as you pass this village in the municipality of Adro, you begin to ride downhill between two vineyards, and in this stretch you exit right from the main road to merge onto a narrower road (Via Cattaneo) which leads you to the Shrine of Madonna della Neve. This church was built in 1521 on the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to a young deaf-mute boy, and is a popular destination for visits and pilgrimages.

Behind the church, take the road for Nigoline di Cortefranca which runs at the foot of Monte Alto. The top of this mountain is reachable by mountain bike and from there you can enjoy an extraordinary view over the whole Franciacorta region, its morainic hills, and the vineyards.

From Nigoline, proceed towards Timoline and then continue pedalling effortlessly towards Borgonato. Continue going east, crossing the railroad tracks for Iseo again, and then winning the slight difference in altitude which allows you to reach Monterotondo. From here, you return to Passirano.

Point of departure and arrival: Passirano, m 207 Type of bicycle: road bike, city bike Closest railway station: Passirano (www.trenord.it)

Length Km 28

Difference in height m 60

Difficulty EASY

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FROM PARATICO TO SENIGA IN THE PLAIN ALONG OGLIO RIVER The final part of Oglio River Bike Route takes bikers from Lake Iseo to Seniga and follows for the most part the course of the river, which also represents the western limit of the Province of Brescia. The route partially overlaps Oglio River Green Path and Oglio River Bike Path created by the Province of Brescia,

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

both marked by specific individual signs. To follow Oglio River Bike Route, download the gps trace from cicloviafiumeoglio.it.

The rhythm of the ride is the same as the slow flow of Oglio waters and

Paratico > Seniga

of numerous smaller streams present throughout the route, whose waters are controlled by ingenuous and often ancient regulation systems. Most of the itinerary is inside Oglio River Regional Park. The municipalities encountered are, in order: Paratico, Capriolo, Palazzolo sull’Oglio, Pontoglio, Urago d’Oglio, Rudiano, Roccafranca, Orzinuovi, Villachiara, Borgo San Giacomo, Quinzano d’Oglio, Verolavecchia, Pontevico, Alfianello, and Seniga.

Interesting natural, historical, artistic, and museum sites can be admired along the route or with a short detour of a few kilometres maximum.

Among others, you will see Bosco dell’Isola Nature Reserves (in Roccafranca and Orzinuovi), Bosco di Barco (in Orzinuovi), Bosco della Marisca and Isola dell’Uccellanda (in Villachiara), all environmentally noteworthy sites with fauna and flora protected at European level.

Oglio River was historically a boundary, as testified by some fortresses and castles such as the ones in Paratico (castle and tower), Capriolo (fortress turned into a convent), Palazzolo (remains of the old castle and monastery), Orzinuovi (San Giorgio castle), Padernello (fortified manor house surrounded by a moat), and Villachiara (castle).

These sites, together with numerous large churches and small chapels, enrich the experience of biking along Oglio River Bike Route in the portion crossing the region south of Lake Iseo. Pedalling can also become the opportunity to learn more about the western portion of the Brescia region.

Valle Camonica

Point of departure: Paratico, quota 190 m Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Point of arrival: Seniga, quota 38 m

Lago d’Idro

Type of bicycle: mountain bike

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Length 74 Km

Difference in height negative 152 m

Difficulty EASY

Pianura bresciana

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THE MAGIC CASTLE CASTLES IN THE WESTERN PLAIN The small journey pedalling among Oglio River castles reveals a markedly rural landscape and the history of the area, strongly linked to the presence of the big river. The riverbanks south of Lake Iseo are steep at times, embellished in part by the presence of the remaining original woods and interesting vegetation.

Biking is the ideal way to learn about the charm of this landscape where you find large busy roads but also

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small countryside roads with low traffic.

The itinerary to discover Oglio River

Orzinuovi > Orzinuovi

castles starts from Orzinuovi, where you can park in the southern portion of the town by the intersection of Viale Isonzo and Via Castelbarco. You start riding on the latter until you reach the small village of Barco, built around an ancient feudal castle. You then continue south towards Bompensiero until you reach

Villachiara with Martinengo castle. A couple of kilometres further south, you arrive to Villagana (Martinengo Museum inside the castle) and continue pedalling among the fields until you arrive close to the river and by the fork for Acqualunga oxbow lake. After passing the small village of Acqualunga, you will find the sign for Borgo San Giacomo: turn left.

The following road continues north; continue until a roundabout and turn right towards Padernello. At the following turn, make a left towards the centre of Borgo San Giacomo.

You go north across town until you enter Via Roma; turn left at the fork for Farfengo. You will find the directions for Padernello in the centre of the village.

Once in Padernello, you can admire the castle and moat in the southern part of the village.

Continue pedalling north until the intersection and turn left, continue until Coniolo. This takes you back to the municipality of Orzinuovi. Once at the intersection by the church, turn left and continue until the small village of Rossa and shortly after Orzinuovi. In the square called Piazza Garibaldi, less than one kilometre from your departure place, you will find the office of Parco Oglio Nord overlooking San Giorgio fortress.

Valle Camonica

Valle Trompia

Lago d’Iseo

Point of departure and arrival: Orzinuovi, quota 82 m

Lago d’Idro

Type of bicycle: city bike

Valle Sabbia

Franciacorta Brescia

Lago di Garda

Length 33 Km

Difference in height negative 12 m

Difficulty EASY

Pianura bresciana

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

73

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BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

BIKING ALONG OGLIO RIVER

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