Cycling from Aprica to Val Belviso

Highest point 2320 m
Total elevation gain 1550 m
Total elevation loss 1550 m
Total climb 18 km
Total descent 16,5 km
Total distance 25,4 km
Duration 6-8 h
Cycling rate (%) 80%

This route extends wholly through a valley belonging to the Orobic Alps.  Val  belviso  is  the  last  eastern  valley,  it  is  long,  deep  and  nar-row, but along the path going south from Alpe Magnolta to Passo di Venerocolo it seems bright and wide. The outline of Monte Torena  –  the  last  high  peak  of  Orobic  Alps  –  dominates  the  other  side  westwards reflecting its shape into the waters of the huge artificial lake on the valley bottom. Once you get to the pass dividing us from the  Province  of  bergamo,  you  will  find  some  alpine  lakes  wedged  among  the  rocks  and  the  grassy  small  hills.  The  descent  runs  on  a  trail at first and then turns into a dirt road through the whole valley, both alongside the lake and under the dam. In San Paolo the Rifugio Cristina is a nice place to grab calories and shelter. You can  start  from  the  car  park  nearby  Magnolta  ski  runs  and  take  the dirt road climbing up to the left of the cableway. The sign indicates  Malga  Magnolta  and  Passo  Venerocolo.  You  can  easily  cycle on the first half of the uphill dirt road, which then gets much steeper  from  the  mountain  huts  in  Corna  Alta  (1457  m)  to  the  finish  of  the  cableway  (1870  m),  so  that  you  may  need  to  carry  your  MTb.  This  is  a  challenging  ascent  but  in  summertime  you  can  use  the lift up to Magnolta. Halfway up the second ski lift, at 1940 meters, the track becomes a flat trail, which goes into the wood, turns south and enters Val belviso. you have to ride for about 13 km on a flat path going sometimes gently uphill, going past Malga Magnola (1997 m) and crossing the Valle del latte and the Valle di Pisa.  You have  to  pay  attention  to  some  exposed  stretches.  The  first  part  of  the  descent  from  Passo  di  Venerocolo  (2314  m)  to  the  dirt  road  at  2000 meters above Malga di Campo (1816 m) is steep and not very flowing. The downhill ride alongside the artificial lake and through the  remaining  part  of  Val  belviso  does  not  hinder  your  fun.  The  route ends with the ascent on a paved road from Ponte Ganda (906 m) to the resort town of Aprica.