One of the best bike routes in Val di Sole: climb on a secondary paved road, then a dirt road, finishing with a fun descent. Spectacular view ranging from the Brenta Dolomites to the Ortles Cevedale and Adamello Presanella mountain groups.
A very panoramic itinerary in the middle and upper Val di Sole with magnificent views of the valley and breathtaking panoramas of the imposing surrounding mountains (Brenta Dolomites and Presanella, Vioz peak, and Cevedale). Route recommended for those who already have good training and technical skills for the long climb and some technical sections on the descent.
The route starts at the intersection of S.S. 42 with the provincial road no. 140 for Termenàgo-Ortisé-Menàs. The intersection is easily reachable from the nearby towns of Mezzana or Pellizzano via the cycle path until it meets a junction leading towards the Noce river which is crossed (Pont de le Caore) to reach the intersection.
Then take provincial road no.140. It is a paved road, lightly trafficked, which, among vast mostly uncultivated meadow terraces, climbs steeply through the towns of Termenàgo (passing next to the old bell tower from 1322 and then at the foot of the stairway leading to the “new” church from 1850) and Castèllo (with the typical battlemented bell tower from 1500) arriving at Ortisé (1,477 m). Here a refreshment at the fountain near the church is mandatory after the tiring road section (notice the delightful monument to the famous mycologist D. Giacomo Bresadola). The place offers a spectacular view of Val di Sole and the valley bottom villages, Passo Tonale, the distant Brenta mountain group, and the imposing Presanella Group.
Following signs to Alpe Pozze, the road surpasses the town becoming unpaved and entering the larch forest beside typical alpine buildings and then continues in the forest becoming easier. Always keeping left towards Baita Pozze, you come out into the wide pastures of the alpine farms. Here the road, making wide hairpin bends across the vast pastures and surrounding environment, reaches Baita Pozze (shelter); after about 600 meters there is a hairpin turn and on the left, a small road-trail (pay attention) gradually descends towards the ridge of Cima Vegaia. The somewhat stepped trail used by livestock quickly leads to the Celentino pond (2,069 m), visible only in the early summer months. The panorama of the glaciers and the highest peaks of Vioz (3,645 m) and Presanella (3,556 m) is magnificent. Now the trail, running flat along the pond, leads towards Val di Peio to the recently renovated Malga Campo hosting a brand-new agritourism. The journey resumes along a steep forest road descending to the town of Celentino (1,264 m). From here there is a unique view of Comasine and the solitary little church of S. Lucia. Follow the Provincial Road to Strombiano; enter and cross the town; then follow the signs for Cusiano (birthplace of Quirino Bezzi, historian and mountain enthusiast) which lead, via the old unpaved connecting road, to the intersection between State Road no. 42 and the Provincial Road of Val di Peio. Continue on State Road to Cusiano and shortly after return to Pellizzano (the Gothic-Renaissance Church of S. Maria is beautiful).
Possibility to use the Trentino Trasporti bus to Ortisè.
From Bergamo-Brescia: follow the SS42 del Tonale.
From Bologna-Verona and the Brenner: A22 Brenner motorway 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 towards Passo del Tonale, Val di Sole.
Multiple free parking lots in Val di Sole. The closest ones are in Mezzana near the sports center or Pellizzano near the sports field.
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