As you can imagine, the passability of the routes in a mountain environment is closely linked to current conditions and therefore depends on natural phenomena, environmental changes, and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this sheet may have changed. Before leaving, check the status of the route by contacting tourist offices.
From the town of Fucine towards Ossana, after crossing the bridge over the Vermigliana stream, shortly after on the climb to the castle, on the right, a dirt road climbs, between some villas in the woods, towards the Tonale Pass. After passing a large square (Forestry construction site) next to the noisy Vermigliana stream, the road becomes steeper and more technical and leads us to the beautiful meadows of Loc. “Poia”, located on the southern side of the Vermiglio Valley. The route, with numerous ups and downs, enters the valley floor up to the “Volpaia” location (farmhouse) set in the wide plain of Stavel facing the daring summit of Presanella (3,556 m with a dizzying icy wall). Then continue on a dirt road climbing towards Velon. After the bridge over the Vermigliana stream, climb to the left towards Maso Cadin, next to the ruins of ancient military barracks from the 1914-1918 war. After passing the farms, continue on the right along a dirt road until you meet the dirt road that climbs to Forte Tonale. Follow it downhill for 100 meters and on the left you quickly reach the beautiful Velon hut, after which the road gradually climbs towards Passo Tonale, first crossing the stream and then continuing flat through some clearings to Malga Pecè. During the First World War, the hut was the seat of an Austro-Hungarian sub-command. The oldest trees surrounding it still bear shrapnel from Italian grenades. After the hut, the compact road, often crossed by streams, climbs through the dense spruce forest. After several hairpin bends, the forest thins giving a view of the valley and after some steep stretches, you reach State Road no. 42. Just before it, turn left uphill towards the Cantiere Presena locality and after 1 km, on the right, continue along a fitness path (“Sentiero della Pace”), crossing the slopes and reaching Passo Tonale. (A visit to the Ossuary, built in 1924, which houses the remains of 831 soldiers who fought in the Tonale area, is recommended; here is the border with Lombardy, once the state border with the Kingdom of Italy). Descend about a hundred meters on the state road and take the dirt road on the right immediately after the Grand Hotel Paradiso (directions to Rifugio Nigritella). Climb to Rifugio Nigritella and immediately after take the road on the right which uphill leads to a spectacular trail on the mountain ridge and changing slope leads to Rifugio Bozzi (2,461 m) where a restorative break with a visit to the trenches and the small White War museum is essential. Just over one hundred meters of elevation gain on the very steep SAT path no. 111 (you will need to push the bike) leads to Forcellina del Montozzo which, at 2,613 m altitude, offers a breathtaking view of the Adamello Presanella granite groups and the San Matteo glaciers. The wild environment, the red color of the iron-rich rocks, and some remains of trenches are the ideal setting for a souvenir photo of this magnificent adventure. From the Pass, several trekking itineraries branch out that cross the fortifications of the First World War made accessible by recent restoration interventions. The descent towards Val di Peio, along the SAT path no. 111, gently slopes through Val Montozzo; the route is at times fast and flowing but suddenly, especially near the many streams running along the slopes, becomes rocky and technical, testing the cyclist's arms and the MTB suspension. After Val Montozzo, the path passes several “moutonnee” rocks (rocks smoothed by glacier passage), becoming steeper and straining the technical skills and courage even of the most experienced bikers. A splendid view of Lake Pian Palù with an intense emerald green color is the only allowed distraction as the exposure on steep cliffs, uneven terrain, and high gradient require the utmost attention from the biker. After many hairpin turns, the path reaches a fork; take the left path to the lake. Follow the road alongside it to Malga Celentino (1,841 m) located just above Lake Pian Palù. Shortly after the hut, on the right, SAT path no. 110, with many technical passages, descends to Fontanino di Peio (1,681 m) where you can taste the ferruginous water directly from the spring. While descending, it is important to pay attention to people climbing along the path, respecting their way and thus riding the MTB responsibly and carefully. From Fontanino, instead of descending on the comfortable asphalt road, take a beautiful path, which with a short push section, leads to Forte Barba De Fior (a spectacular fortification dating back to the First World War).
Return to the asphalt road, descend to Peio Fonti and from there towards Cogolo. At the penultimate hairpin bend before the village, a dirt road on the right leads us into the woods and then down to meet the cycle path which is followed up to the town of Fucine.
Possibility to reach the Tonale Pass by bike bus equipped with a 40-bike trailer.
From Bergamo-Brescia: follow the SS42 del Tonale.
From Bologna-Verona and Brennero: A22 Brennero exit Trento Nord if coming from the south, exit San Michele all’Adige if coming from the north. Continue towards Cles, Val di Non, along the SS43 and, after passing Cles, take the SS42, direction Passo del Tonale, Val di Sole.
Bring a repair kit: inner tube, pump, patch cement, patches, and a set of tools for quick repairs.
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