• Active & Green

The Rusca trail

Sondrio, Ponchiera, Arquino, Valdone, Il Prato, Tornadù, Torre Santa Maria, S.Anna, Basci, Vassalini a Chiesa Valmalenco - ritorno a Sondrio

The complete route from Sondrio to Passo del Muretto is meant for pedestrians and the whole of the first part can be covered on mountain bike. The initial stretch to Chiesa in Valmalenco -Vassalini Sports Centre is almost all tarmac or concrete, with rough track just on the uphill hairpins after the bridge at Arquino to Ceschina (2018), a total of 150 m difference in altitude over 1.6 km and the last short bit below Chiesa cemetery to the walkway that leads to the sports centre. Low pedal assist makes the uphill difference in altitude and gradients feasible. It has complete, regular signage (yellow Sentiero Rusca signs and arrows) and rest areas with info panels. The very beautiful views of nature and surrounding scenery, as well as the many places of historical interest nearby make this a route that can be appreciated by cyclists.

(texts and technical data by Federico Pollini)

Departure / return place: Sondrio 307m

Arrival place / maximum quota: Chiesa in Valmalenco 980m

Total gradient slopes: 730 m

Total gradient descents: 730 m

Slopes’ total length : 12,8 km

Descents’ total length: 12,8 km

Plain total length : 3,6 km

Total kilometers: 29,2 km

Slopes’ middle inclination: 6 %

Slopes’ maximum inclination: 12 %

Time taken: 2-3 h

Difficulty medium

Take me here: The Rusca trail

On the same topic

Gardens Como

Lake Como is famous for its villas with fantastic gardens: let's discover them together!
  • Active & Green
Gardens Como, discovering Lombardy

Mountain flowers in May

Six itineraries to discover this month's flowers in the mountains of Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Fiori di maggio ad alta quota - in Lombardia

Shades of fall - excursions to discover the foliage

  • Active & Green
Shades of fall - excursions to discover the foliage

Cycling from Aprica to Val Belviso

  • Active & Green
Cycling from Aprica to Val Belviso

A green week in Valtellina

Escape to the mountains just a two-hour drive from Milan for a rural retreat with trekking, typical pizzoccheri pasta and towns that are absolute hidden gems
  • Active & Green
A green week in Valtellina

The trails of the Oltrepò Pavese

On foot, by bike, or on horseback to discover the Oltrepò Pavese
  • Active & Green
Comunità Montana Oltrepò Pavese

Lombardy: spring has come to town

Spring flowers bloom on the balconies, terraces, window sills and in the gardens of Lombardy's towns and villages 
  • Active & Green
Lombardia: la primavera arriva in città

Where to harvest chestnuts in Lombardy

Forests, hills, panoramic viewpoints and plays of light: discover where and when to collect chestnuts in Lombardy, as well as other useful tips
  • Active & Green
La raccolta delle castagne - Parco Regionale del Campo dei Fiori (VA)

Gardens Pavia

Not just the city: a walk through botanic gardens and oasis for a green break
  • Active & Green
Gardens Pavia, discovering Lombardy

A summer at the summit

Backpack and discover the best treks and outdoor activities #inLombardia
  • Active & Green
Trekking in Lombardy

Resegone and Piani d’Erna

A real mountain holiday. Chilling and fun for the whole family. Piani d'Erna and the most extreme climbs on the vertical rock walls of Manzoni's mountain
  • Active & Green
Il Resegone e i Piani d’Erna

Gera d'Adda: legends flowing between Adda and Milan

Between the Adda and Martesana rivers, places tell the story of Lombardy's history and industriousness
  • Active & Green
Gera d'Adda: legends flowing between Adda and Milan

Valchiavenna and Valle Spluga

High mountain pastures, lakes, rivers and a varied network of hiking trails through nature and mountain villages where time seems to have stood still
  • Active & Green
La Valchiavenna e la Valle Spluga

Secret nature in Bergamo and Brescia

Hidden parks and botanical gardens, amidst old palaces and monasteries, to rediscover the bond between nature, history and art.
  • Active & Green
(Ph: I Mille)

Foliage in Lombardy

From Via Francigena to the Cadorna Line. Discover where to see the autumn colours in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Via Francigena Corte Sant'Andrea Lodi

Gardens Brescia

Let yourself be enchanted by the splendor of the green and the thousand colors of the nature of the gardens of Brescia
  • Active & Green
Gardens Brescia, the greener side of Lombardy

The High Route of Valmalenco – 4th stage

Chiareggio (1612 m) - Rif. Longoni (2450 m) - A. Sasso nero (2304 m) - Rif. Lago Palù (1947 m)
  • Active & Green
Vista sul Lago Palù

Kitesurf in Lombardy

Where to do kitesurfing in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Windsurf, Como lake

Adrenaline and Rafting on the Ticino

Active holiday in the province of Pavia
  • Active & Green
Active vacations in Pavia

When picnics become chic

Five elegant picnic ideas in Lombardy, with delightful scenery and elegant food and wine experiences.
  • Active & Green
When picnics become chic