On MTB to the Vò Waterfalls

Main stages: Schilpario – Pradella – Barzesto – Vò Waterfall – Schilpario

A fascinating trail, rich in history and nature. There are not many uphill and downhill sections where you have to push the bike, and the effort is rewarded with plenty of panoramic viewpoints over Schilpario, the spectacular Vò waterfall, the old smelting furnace, the charcoal pile and beautiful forests. There are many spots to refill water along the route. In the Pradella hamlet, you can visit the mineral museum. There are rest areas and shortcut options for returning at any point along the way. Due to the Dezzo stream crossing, this trail is not recommended after heavy rains.

Technical data

Difficulty: MC/MC (Moderate)
Length: 17.2 km
Moving time: 2h 13min
Rideability: 90% uphill – 95% downhill
Recommended period: April – October
Surface: Asphalt 20% – Dirt 50% – Trail 30%
Min. Elevation: 1001 m – Max. elevation: 1229 m
Elevation gain: Ascent 1161 m – Descent 1153 m
Bike pushing sections: Yes – Bike carrying sections: No – GPS track: Yes
GPS TRACK IS ESSENTIAL

Test e collaudo: Gian Pietro M.- Nicola T.- Riccardo P.

Rating:

Good

Technical tips:

Always ride with caution, respect, politeness and courtesy. Pay close attention to marked detours. Evaluate the weather conditions carefully before setting out. Due to the Dezzo stream crossing, it is not recommended to follow the trail after days of heavy rain. Along the route, there are several water refill points and options to return earlier.

Route

Park your car in one of the many parking areas near the village and head to the central square of Schilpario, where the trail begins. With the church behind you, take Via Torri on your left, then turn uphill to the right into Via Soliva. Follow it all the way until it becomes a dirt road, and continue into the woods with scenic views over Schilpario. You will come across a small streambed that you will descend alongside until you can turn left to cross it. Another dirt section brings you back to asphalt. A few meters ahead, keep left to rejoin the dirt path.

Entering the woods, at the first junction just after a small bridge and before the obvious climb, turn right onto a descending trail that crosses back to asphalt. Continue downhill along Via S. Elisabetta, cross the S.P. 294 to the Alpine Rescue station, and turn left onto the Nordic ski track. Cross a grate over the stream and turn left again onto the dirt road skirting the forest. At the overpass, follow the dirt road keeping right until it becomes asphalt again after a flat section.

Continue on the asphalt road via Grumello, then via Paradiso. Turn left into via Trampolino, follow the concrete road past the building with the pointed roof, and take a downhill path on your right. In the valley, cross the small bridge and turn left, climbing for about ten minutes. At the next fork, go right. You will pass above the old ski lift station and continue with short ups and downs through the woods, crossing over a sunken meadow. At the end, turn right downhill. After the bridge, continue left, passing above the large pink building and the small hamlet of Pradella, where you descend right to reach asphalt.

Here you can find a fountain and, not far away, the mineral museum near the Hotel San Marco. Continue right through the village on asphalt, and about 100 meters after the votive chapel, pay attention to the upcoming detour: turn left onto the trail descending toward the river. At the river, this is the trickiest part – crossing to pick up the trail on the other side.

BE CAREFUL. Cross the weir (often dry) or use the nearby dam steps. Continue straight until you find the trail again, stay left, and start climbing again toward the Barzesto church. Go past the church and turn left onto via Barzesto until you reach the stop sign near the playground. Go left for about 100 meters, then turn right onto the dirt road uphill. Keep to the right along a path between dry-stone walls. This section requires pushing your MTB for about ten minutes.

At the first fork, descend right on a dirt road. At the first bend, leave the road turning left. At the next fork, go left and start climbing again. At the following fork, go right, cross the usually dry small valley, and stay on the main trail. After a few hundred meters, at the ruins of an old farmhouse, turn right and follow the straight descent. At the intersection, turn left and continue into the Vò valley.

Alternate between meadows and woods until you reach a wildlife observation platform built among the trees. Keep right, descend to the stream, and cross over a beautiful wooden bridge. Go temporarily left to admire the stunning Vò waterfall and the old mineral smelting furnace. From there, simply follow the dirt road downhill. Pass the charcoal pile and, at the end of the dirt road near the Chalet del Vò restaurant, continue on asphalt to the junction with S.S. 294. Turn left uphill and follow the main road back to Schilpario’s center and the starting point.

Original text modified. For more info and detailed route info, you can download the printable sheet or click here (Route no. 1).

Route published in collaboration with