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A family-friendly bike path

The 7 reasons to cycle in Val di Sole

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A family experience, on two wheels

Fueling curiosity, on the bike path

Think about it, this year you even have an alternative: you can decide whether to start from Cogolo di Peio, as you probably have done before, or from Vermiglio, thus becoming one of the first to inaugurate the new bike path section Vermiglio – Ossana.

We are talking, as you can imagine, about the Cycle Path of Val di Sole, which descends for over 30 km from the upper Val di Sole to the locality of Mostizzolo, becoming one of the most appreciated bike paths in the entire northern Italy.

Do you think we're boasting a little too much?

Trust us, we'll list 7 reasons why it's really worth cycling with your family along the Val di Sole bike path:

Pista Ciclabile Val di Sole | © Archivio APT Val di Sole - Ph Matteo Cappè

#1 Breathe freedom

Whether you start from Cogolo di Peio or from Vermiglio, the guarantee is the same: you'll pedal among meadows, pastures, amidst lush greenery, along the banks of the Noce River or the Vermigliana (if you start from Vermiglio) until Mostizzolo, a town situated in the valley floor. Are you ready to breathe in pure freedom to the fullest?

#2 Pedal among the castles

Which bike path allows you to cycle at the foot of not one, but two castles? Think about it carefully, but you won't find similar examples. Trust us: seen from the saddle, both Castel S. Michele and Castel Caldes are even more beautiful! And a visit to both fortresses is a must, it's worth it.

Pista ciclabile  | © Archivio APT Val di Sole - Ph Alice Russolo
Bike Train Val di Sole | © Archivio APT Val di Sole - Ph Alice Russolo

#3 Return with the BikeTrain

Your children are tired and want to return to the starting point? Consider that you can do so, and even in a sustainable way! The BikeTrain service, an electric train, allows the return from the bike path, transporting both bikers and bikes, bringing you back to any station of the Trento–Malé–Mezzana Railway in the stretch from Mostizzolo to Mezzana.

#4 Fill up on culture

Well, yes, during your relaxing day, we also provide some ideas for cultural visits near the bike path: how about visiting a museum dedicated to the life of bees, the Mmape in Croviana? Or what do you think about cycling to discover the 60 artistic sundials that embellish the town of Monclassico? You'll fill up on curiosity, and it will also be an opportunity to catch your breath!

Mmape Mulino Museo dell'Ape | © Archivio APT Val di Sole - Ph Tommaso Prugnola
Picnic Pista Ciclabile  | © Archivio ApT Val di Sole

#5 Enjoy a picnic

The over 30 km of bike path can be comfortably covered in a day (as most of the sections are downhill). Amidst all this freshness, with plenty of greenery around, wouldn't you want to take advantage of it for a picnic? From the Bici Grill in Pellizzano, to the Contre di Caldes, all the way to Ponte Stori, you'll find many well-equipped picnic areas to enjoy a well-deserved sandwich. However, there will also be fast refreshment points right on the bike path, where you can have a drink, a sandwich, or anything else you desire.

#6 Stop at the Kids Bike Park 

Consider that the bike path has diversions... made of fun! How about letting your little ones experience some stunts, safely, at the Kids Bike Park in Pellizzano? A convenient conveyor belt takes children to the starting point of the two prepared courses, two lines, one easier and one more difficult with a jump and two more challenging parabolic curves. The area is completed with a newly built, entertaining Pump Track.

Bike Park  | © Archivio APT Val di Sole - Ph Zanette Gabriele
Pista ciclabile  | © Archivio APT Val di Sole - Ph Alice Russolo

#7 Take advantage of many services

9 Bike Centers, 22 Bike Rentals: any of your requests will be met in Val di Sole Bikeland!
Need a bike trailer for children? No problem!
Have a small pet you want to take hiking with you? Our Bike Centers also have pet trailers.
Nothing will be left to chance in your experience on the Cycle Pedestrian Path!

Discover all the information about the bike path

Have we convinced you? We're happy about it and we're confident that we won't disappoint you!
Below you'll find all the specific information, surely more technical, regarding our Cycle Pedestrian Path: the technical description, the directions to follow, and much more to make your day in the saddle truly unforgettable!

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Val di Sole Cycle Path

Cavizzana, Croviana, Terzolas, Vermiglio, Caldes, Commezzadura, Dimaro Folgarida, Ossana, Peio, Pellizzano, Malè, Mezzana
Category
Cycle routes
Difficulty
Easy
Activity time
3:40
Durata in ore
Distance
43.6
Distance in km
Status
closed

The Val di Sole cycle-pedestrian path, thanks to its low elevation gain, is suitable for families and children. The route starts from the San Leonardo Ponds in Vermiglio descending to Mostizzolo or from Cogolo di Peio, running alongside the Noce River.

The Val di Sole cycle path runs almost entirely along the Noce River for 33 km from Vermiglio to Mostizzolo or for 35 km from Cogolo di Peio to Mostizzolo, following the route of ancient connecting roads or embankment and country roads. 

You can choose to follow the itinerary starting from Vermiglio or from Cogolo di Peio to Mostizzolo, alternatively you can cycle uphill, heading towards the enchanting Val di Peio or the fascinating San Leonardo Ponds where you can enjoy a well-deserved break. In any of the ways you decide to venture on the cycle path, to allow you to comfortably reach the starting point or return after cycling, the Bike Train service operates on the Mostizzolo - Mezzana route, specially equipped for bike transport.

THE ROUTE:

THE UPPER PART - FROM VERMIGLIO TO OSSANA

Starting from the San Leonardo Ponds, you can pedal alongside the Vermigliana stream until you reach the majestic San Michele Castle of Ossana. Cycling under a 25-meter-high keep will be an unforgettable experience. 

THE UPPER PART - FROM COGOLO TO OSSANA

You can also choose to start your ride from the village of Cogolo, where after a short climb, you follow the descent of the Noce River in its wildest section. Let yourself be intoxicated by its majesty and the fresh breeze spreading in the air.

THE CENTRAL PART - FROM OSSANA TO MALÉ

From Ossana to Mezzana: the path alternates between flat stretches and gentle descents, passing near the suggestive villages of Ossana and Pellizzano. It will certainly be exciting to "bike" under San Michele Castle.

From Mezzana to Daolasa: the descent continues, take a break at Daolasa to see the Mountain Bike World Championship race fields or to reach 2000m with the cable car and enjoy one of the best views of the Brenta Dolomites.

From Daolasa to Malé: probably the easiest stretch of the entire cycle path. Along the green meadows, it will be fun to descend alongside the Noce River, watching both adults and children enjoy the thrill of a rafting descent on the renowned waters of the Solandro stream.

THE LOWER PART - FROM MALÉ TO MOSTIZZOLO

From Malé, the capital of Val di Sole, you descend to Mostizzolo, overcoming some ups and downs among the orchards of the lower valley. At the end of the cycle path, you can cycle back along the same route or use the Train + Bike service.

Route info

Easy
Distance
43.6 km
Activity time
3:40 h.
Uphill Elevation
297 m
Downhill elevation
855 m
Technical skills
Physical effort
Scenary
Highest point
1187 m
Lowest point
552 m
Height difference
635 m

Copyright

APT Valli di Sole, Peio e Rabbi

Suggestions

Sites of interest: Porchjola Biotope, Cavizzana Hatchery, Castel Caldes, Venetian Sawmill of Malé, MMApe, Ontaneta of Croviana, The Sundials, San Michele Castle of Ossana and the San Leonardo Ponds. 

Safety information

Please note that the practicability of the itineraries in a mountain environment is strictly linked to the contingent conditions and is therefore influenced by natural phenomena, environmental changes and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this page may have changed. Before leaving for a tour, make sure the path you will approach is still accessible by contacting the owner of the mountain hut, the alpine guides or the visitor centres of the nature parks, the info offices of the local tourist board.

Starting point

Mostizzolo

Directions

The Val di Sole cycle-pedestrian route starts at the Mostizzolo bridge (km 0.00), near the Trento-Malè railway station.
The bridge crosses a deep gorge, at the point where the Noce river flows into the Santa Giustina Lake, a large basin closed by a very high dam. The first stretch of the valley, despite being the lowest in altitude, crosses a landscape with more distinctly alpine characteristics, as it enters a cool spruce forest. As you proceed, the forest gives way to farmland cultivated with orchards and wide meadows, until you reach the town of Malè, the capital of the Val di Sole. Along this stretch of the cycle path, protected from vehicle traffic, you encounter the locality of Ponte Stori (km 2.6), equipped for resting.
Upon reaching the altitude of the town of Cavizzana (km 5.8), there is a 380 m ascent, but before reaching Cavizzana you descend towards the Noce, crossing vast orchards in front of the massive structure of Castel Caldes and the overhanging Rocca di Samoclevo which tower on the other side of the valley.
At the seventh kilometre, there is “le Contre”, a locality with sports and recreational facilities. Continuing always on the right bank of the Noce river, you shortly reach the confluence with the Rabbies stream, which comes down from the Rabbi Valley and flows into the Noce one kilometre downstream from Malè. Staying along the stream, you pass the village of Malè, the capital of the Val di Sole, which stands on a plateau at a higher altitude. In this way, the cycle path does not cross the village, which is nevertheless worth a visit to admire some characteristic buildings and to visit the Museum of Solandra Civilization. The cycle route continues through the large meadow that leads to the town of Dimaro (km 15.1) located at the entrance to the Val Meledrio, from where the road branches off to Madonna di Campiglio. For a long stretch, it follows alongside the Trento-Malé railway.
Dimaro is crossed by the cycle path, always along the Noce, first on the right and then the left bank, until the village of Mestriago. Continuing and passing the locality of Piano, you again follow alongside the river, passing in front of Mezzana, near the canoe slalom Stadium, until reaching the Sports Center. Now you gently continue along the path until the town of Pellizzano (km 25) where the new Bicigrill stands.
Continuing on a flat stretch, you approach Ossana and its San Michele Castle, still clearly visible from afar.
From here, it is possible to climb along the Vermigliana stream for a short stretch near the campsite and then cross the bridge leading to Fucine (km 28.2), a crossroads between the Val di Sole and the Val di Peio. At this point, the altitude is 985 meters above sea level. After passing the village of Fucine, the path heads northwest where the cycle path enters the Val di Peio in a first semi-flat stretch up to Loc. Forno di Novale (km 29.85) and then climbs towards Cogolo. The valley is narrower and you have to cross the Noce three times, the second time on the road bridge leading to the village of Comasine, facing a short but steep climb. Continuing to climb, you finally reach the sight of Cogolo, which you reach after a short and steep descent, crossing a bridge that leads to the main road right at the entrance to the village (km 34.11). 

Alternatively, once you reach Ossana, you pass the San Michele Castle and take the cycle path leading to the San Leonardo Ponds in Vermiglio. The cycle path runs along the Vermigliana stream, among the fascinating panoramas of the upper Val di Sole.

Public transportation

You can reach the starting point of the itinerary with the TRENTO - MALE' - MEZZANA train (download the outward and return timetables).

How to get there

From Bergamo-Brescia: follow the SS42 del Tonale.

From Bologna-Verona and Brennero: A22 Brennero motorway exit Trento Nord for those coming from the south, San Michele all’Adige exit for those 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.

Where to park

The cycle path can be accessed from multiple locations, each with parking nearby.

To tackle this itinerary, we recommend wearing a bike helmet and bringing a small backpack with a waterproof jacket, sunscreen, and a water bottle. It is also important to carry a repair kit: spare tube, pump, patch kit, and a set of tools for quick repairs.