Mountain bike from Colere to the Gleno dam

An interesting itinerary for visiting the famous Gleno Dam. From the Pianezza hamlet, we are forced to carry the bike for about 20 minutes, but the view and the unique charm of the ruins of the large dam reward all our efforts. The initial part of the return requires frequent ups and downs on the saddle, is less demanding but requires more attention.

Technical details

Difficulty: OC/EC
Length: 33.5 km
Time in motion: 2 h 44 min
Rideability: (80% uphill) — (80% downhill)
Recommended period: May – September
Asphalt: 50% — Dirt roads: 20% — Trail: 30%
Min altitude: 994 m — Max altitude: 1576 m
Elevation gain: Ascent 1741 m — Descent 1754 m
Push sections: YES — Bike carrying sections: YES — GPS track: YES
GPS TRACK IS ESSENTIAL
Tested by: Gian Pietro M. – Nicola T.

Rating: Good

Technical advice: Always carry caution, good manners, respect, and courtesy. Pay attention to marked deviations. Carefully evaluate weather conditions before starting. From the Pianezza hamlet, we are forced to carry the bike for about 20 minutes, but the view and the unique charm of the large dam ruins reward all our efforts. The initial part of the return requires frequent ups and downs on the saddle, is less demanding but requires more attention.

Route

The starting point of the itinerary is in the town of Colere, where we leave the car in one of the many parking areas at the entrance of the village. We follow the main asphalt road towards Vilminore di Scalve. After passing Teveno and Bueggio, we continue on a slight downhill on asphalt.

WATCH FOR THE NEXT TURN

Upon reaching the unmistakable San Carlo church with its unusual blue plaster, we find the dirt road on the left and the signs to follow towards Ponte del Gleno. Upon reaching the Ponte Gleno equipped area, we turn right and follow the trail and signs to Pianezza. In this section, we carry the MTB for five minutes until reaching a trail, then turn right to reach the road.

We continue uphill towards the center of Pianezza, pass it, and follow the signs for the Gleno Dam (CAI 410). The road becomes steep, then dirt and flat until the junction where we find the signage for the Gleno Dam on the left. We faithfully follow the trail, which forces us to CARRY THE BIKE on our shoulders for twenty minutes, with stunning panoramic points along the way.

The upper trail becomes flat and well rideable, allowing us to remount the bike until reaching the ruins of the sadly famous Gleno Dam, which collapsed in 1923.

For the return, there are two alternatives: retrace the route already traveled, or follow the beautiful technical and panoramic variant, completely immersed in nature with scenic passages over rocks and iron paths, with continuous ups and downs on the MTB.

If approached calmly and carefully, the variant is worth it:

From the bar hut, head towards the top of the dam, slightly ascending to climb over it. Here we find the lightly marked trail towards Bueggio, which we follow. At the first junction, keep the right trail that ascends until reaching the paved farm road. Turn left downhill, follow the road passing between farmhouses and barns, at the next junction leave the road and turn left following the signs for Bueggio. Continue faithfully on this steep technical trail until returning to the Ponte Gleno equipped area.