Mountain bike around Vilminore di Scalve and its hamlets

The landscapes, nature, and all the towns and villages we will pass through in this beautiful itinerary, even without gaining too much altitude, are scenic and charming. Special attention should be given to the small village of Pianezza with tuff stone buildings, the starting point for a walk to the famous Gleno Dam. There are many points to refill water along the entire route. You can also purchase local cheeses at the Latteria Sociale Montana.

Technical data

Difficulty: BC/MC
Length: 18 km
Moving time: 2 h
Rideability: 90% uphill — 95% downhill
Recommended period: April – October
Asphalt: 30% — Unpaved: 40% — Trail: 30%
Minimum altitude: 1002 m — Maximum altitude: 1389 m
Elevation gain: Ascent 1142 m — Descent 1144 m
Push sections: YES — Carry bike sections: NO — GPS track: YES
GPS TRACK ESSENTIAL
Tested by: Gian Pietro M. – Riccardo P.
Rating: Good
Technical advice: Always carry caution, politeness, respect, and courtesy. Along the entire route there are water refill points and optional shortcuts for an early return.

Route

Leaving the car in one of the parking lots in Vilminore, we start on asphalt towards Schilpario until reaching the village of Barzesto.

At the first house on the right, we take a left mule track that climbs, recognizable by a no-entry sign (MTB must be pushed for a short section). Immediately keep right along a steep path between dry stone walls. At the top, we turn left, gaining altitude as we proceed uphill through the next two junctions until reaching a farmhouse served by a mule track that descends to Vilmaggiore.

After about 200 meters on asphalt, we take a climb on the right, via Pizzo Tornello: we ascend it entirely to then turn right again onto the dirt road to follow. At the large horse chestnut tree, we keep left, gaining altitude. Entering the forest and passing a small hydroelectric station on the right, we take the first left at a junction, cross the bridge or ford the stream, and immediately find ourselves in a meadow where the road “disappears”.

ATTENTION TO THE NEXT DETOUR

We continue along the left side of the lower meadow, then climb along the side to the top, near the ruins of a stone building. We continue a few meters uphill in the forest until rejoining the trail, which after a short descent leads into a valley. We cross the valley, and after 200 meters the trail becomes a dirt road, which we follow uphill. The road becomes very steep and requires pushing the MTB for about ten minutes. After the climb, we continue along the slightly downhill road until reaching the large junction for the Gleno Dam.

We do not climb to Gleno, but continue straight along the cemented road until reaching the picturesque village of Pianezza. Continue straight, descending on asphalt.

ATTENTION TO THE NEXT DETOUR

At the first hairpin turn, we find the trail on the right which we follow faithfully to Ponte Gleno. From this point, we turn right at the small bridge, cross it, and follow the signs uphill to Nona: another beautiful village, which we reach at the main church square.

From here we take the Via dei Minatori downhill and follow it until reaching the asphalt road. We cross it, and a few meters uphill we turn right again onto the descent that will take us to the center of Pezzolo. Reaching the fountain in Pezzolo, we turn right on asphalt and at the next junction, turn left onto via Case Nuove. After a few meters, we turn right again onto the beautiful cobblestone mule track with a steep gradient. We reach asphalt again near an old dark wooden ruin, a former cable car station. We turn left and follow the asphalt road.

ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING DETOURS

Near the houses we encounter, we keep our eyes on the right and take the mule track that runs alongside the road. From here, we emerge onto an asphalt curve and, after a few meters downhill, we exit again to the right, finding the mule track to follow until the square of Bueggio, where there is another fountain. To the right of it, we descend along a stone-paved path that leads across a charming covered wooden bridge and then continue uphill until reaching the asphalt near a light-blue church (Chiesa di San Carlo).

We continue towards the visible village of Vilminore. After a couple of curves, we descend right onto via IV Novembre, aiming for the main church, keeping the beautiful bell tower as a reference point.

Original text modified. For more information and detailed route info, you can download the printable sheet or click here (Route No. 2).
Route published in collaboration with ORANGEMTB. Discover many other routes at www.orangemtb.com