ESCORTED BIKING OR WALKING OR BUS OR TRAIN OR MIXED TOUR – KM 120 – 3 STAGES/3DAYS-2NIGHTS
1° STAGE : COLICO → BERBENNO V.NA (40 Km)
Our bike tour starts from a mystical place on a bluff located on the waters of Lake Como, the Cistercian Abbey of Piona, attested already in the 7th century AD, is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. In Colico,, a charming tourist village, we put on the Valtellina trail, that in 2016 was awarded with the 3rd place of the Oscars dedicated to the Italian Cycling Tourism, with destination Morbegno, passing through the natural reserve of Pian di Spagna pausing to delight our taste with fresh and genuine products. Escorted visit of the historical centre of Morbegno with Palazzo Malacrida, the most beautiful Venetian Palace outside Venice, the Collegiate Church of St. John, the most important baroque monument in the province of Sondrio and leaving Morbegno, we admire the shrine of the Assumption, a small jewel of the Renaissance dating back to 1418. Worth a detour Talamona with 16th century buildings used as nobke residences, frescoes and ancient courtyards. In Berbenno you can merge onto the terraced vineyards towards the Mill valley directing to Morbegno either to Sondrio …..for those not too tired!
2° STAGE : BERBENNO V.NA → TIRANO (40 Km)
A few Km and the terraces of the vineyards Sassella are visible to the North, a brief detour leads us to the shrine of the Sassella erected on a rocky hillock in the 15th century. Where the Mallero River flows into the Adda River we enter Sondrio for a guided tour of the old town with its palaces (Pretorio, Martinengo, Sertoli), ancient shops and quaint views among the stone houses and ancient surrounding vineyards. We leave Sondrio for the terraces of Grumello and diverting to get to the ruins of the castle with charming views of the Valley and tasting or lunch. Back to the Valtellina triail we proceed until the turnoff to Teglio, home of Pizzoccheri (ascent to 2830 ft msl): visit the historic village and magnificent jewel of Lombard Renaissance, Palazzo Besta. We return on our trail Valtellina to reach Tirano, terminus of the Bernina Red Train, which welcomes us with the magnificent shrine dedicated to the Madonna erected starting from 1505 and the old town that preserves an artistic jewel home of the valtellinese diplomacy in sec. 17TH-18TH cent.
3° STAGE : TIRANO → BORMIO (40 Km)
From here the trail is uphill, but constant. In Grosio a short detour to visit the Rupe Magna, one of the largest engraved rocks in the Alps. The final stretch towards Bormio gets significant climbs that require adequate preparation and appropriate technical means to exceed 500 meters in altitude. Along the river roll breathtaking scenery on the horizon that precede the beauty of Bormio and its surroundings. A quick stop to admire the shrine of our Lady of Biorca consecrated in 1624 with works of the 17th-18th centuries by local artists. We overcome S. Antonio Morignone, infamous for the landslide that in 1987 has destroyed the whole village and after about 9 Km of climbing we arrive at Bormio, situated at 4,020 ft msl.,Bormio is situated in a large natural amphitheatre in the middle of the Alps in the heart of Alta Valtellina surrounded by towering peaks of Rhaetian Alps that reach 13,150 ft and is located in the Stelvio National Park. Even historical-artistic aspects do not miss : the historic centre encloses a centuries-old tradition, a prized cultural environment among narrow streets and alleys, palaces, towers, churches that make the surrounding Alpine vistas even more suggestive. Possibility of tasting local products.
OPTIONAL ADMISSION TICKETS/SERVICES, not included :
Rent a bike / Bus (private or pubblic) / Train
Any monument/museum/villa/other
Lunches, dinners, accommodation
Tastings of typical local products