In the north of Lombardy, on the border with Switzerland, here is Valtellina (i.e., the province of Sondrio), an area that offers endless possibilities for nature and sports lovers, primarily bike enthusiasts. For those who want to spend a vacation on two wheels, in fact, Valtellina has hundreds of kilometers of routes for all tastes. From the Sentiero Valtellina, a 114-km-long, flat, family-friendly bicycle and pedestrian path from Bormio to Lake Como, to the 42-km-long Valchiavenna Ciclabile, which took 3rd place in the Italian Green Road Awards 2022.
From the great alpine passes of Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo (just to name the most famous) that have written the history of road cycling to MTB or e-bike routes immersed in the wildest nature and embraced by the Rhaetian and Orobian Alps.
The routes therefore vary from easier to more challenging routes, from Madesimo to Livigno, from Valmalenco to Bormio via Aprica, giving everyone the opportunity to fully experience Valtellina, with its magical landscapes and superb panoramic mountain views. And in autumn, when the landscapes are colored with a thousand shades, here are the Wine Bike Tours that allow you to discover the wine side of Valtellina.
For those who would instead like to try an all-around green itinerary, the Raetica Classica is a loop route linking Valtellina with Switzerland that can be enjoyed by bicycle but also by public transportation, thus providing an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Alps.
And between one ride and the next, a stop at local mountain huts, farmhouses and restaurants to taste local products is a must: the Bresaola della Valtellina IGP, rich in protein and low in fat (ideal for sportsmen), the famous dop-labeled cheeses such as Valtellina Casera and Bitto to the ever-present pizzoccheri della Valtellina, the main dish of the cuisine and ideal to accompany with a glass of Valtellina Superiore or Sfursat, both DOCG and symbols of the local wine tradition.
BIKE SKILLS CENTER AND BIKE PARK
Young and old alike can try their hand at starting mtb riding or perfecting their technique in the Bike Skills Center or, for people looking for more adrenaline-pumping experiences, the Bike Park along the whole Valtellina territory represent the right test bed: there are in fact 5 “high voltage” circuits, in Bormio, in Valmalenco, in Madesimo and no less than two in Livigno (Mottolino and Carosello 3000), which host trails of different levels of difficulty, downhill, jump area and gravity zone.
ENJOY STELVIO VALTELLINA – ALPINE PASSES CLOSE TO TRAFFIC
Cyclists, tourists and hikers can safely enjoy the famous alpine passes – Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo, Cancano, ascent to Campo Moro, the Spluga Pass, the Forcola Pass and the San Marco Pass – which close to traffic motorized allowing people to experience the mountains fully, listening to the sounds of nature without the hassle of traffic. This initiative, which began six years ago now at the initiative of the Stelvio National Park, involves closing the passes for as many as 14 dates in June, July and September. Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina is a free, non-competitive, no-registration event: the schedule of pass closures is available at https://www.valtellina.it/enjoy-stelvio-valtellina
SAVE THE DATE! A RICH CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Valtellina is the ideal bike friendly destination also thanks to the many events to take part in and the dense network of services dedicated to the bike world: from specialized stores to rental services without forgetting the many associations and guides that organize excursions throughout the territory.
From the Valtellina Ebike Festival on May 27/28 to the Granfondo Stelvio Santini on June 4, from the Granfondo Gavia Mortirolo on June 25 to the Alta Valtellina Bike Marathon on July 29, from the Re Stelvio Mapei on July 9 to the Gravel Marathon Valle Spluga on September 17: check out the calendar of major road cycling events for summer 2023 on https://www.valtellina.it/it/bike/ciclismo-su-strada/gare or visit the events page for MTB https://www.valtellina.it/it/bike/mountain-bike/gare-ed-eventi