From Lake Garda to Valtellina by way of Milan. Among crenellated walls, towers and porticoed loggias

Highest point  2420 mTotal elevation gain 880 mTotal elevation loss 1450 mTotal climb 7,5 kmTotal descent 12,7 kmTotal distance 20,2 kmDuration 5 - 6 hCycling rate (%) 90% The route runs almost completely on a single trail and, most of all, it is the first stretch of a much longer itinerary, which - once com-pleted - will give the bikers the possibility to start from Switzerland, cycle  all  over  Valtellina  along  the  slopes  of  the  Rhaetian  Alps    at  height and finally arrive to lake Como. The starting point is in Val Saiento, which runs sideways to Valposchiavo in Canton Grisons. you climb up to Col D’Anzana, which marks the line between Italy and  Switzerland,  and  which  can  be  reached  also  from  bianzone,  in  the  Province  of  Sondrio,  through  the  road  going  uphill  to  ne-mina and becoming then a trail that leads to the pass. The start-ing crossway runs along the military track of Sentiero Italia up to Prato  Valentino  and  affords  remarkable  views  southwards  over  Scorcio verso le Orobie dalle Baite Agnè in Val Rogna.   42Mountain Bikethe mountain chains of the Orobic Alps and of Middle Valtellina. We leave Passo di Meden on our right together with the spurs go-ing down from Monte Combolo and Monte Calighe and reach the ski runs in Teglio from above. The second part of the ride runs deep into the solitary Val Fontana at first and then goes downhill.The start is from the car park in Pescia bassa on a dirt road at 1810 meters above sea level. you go past the Rifugio Anzana (2050 m) and take the well traced trail on your left heading for the pass, but which you can only partly cycle on. From Col D’Anzana (2233 m) you  go  downhill  some  meters  and  find  a  notice  board  with  map  and indications as well as the sign of the Way n. 301. The trail go-ing  around  Monte  Cancano  begins  on  the  right,  then  it  passes  below Passo di Meden (2440 m), reaches Prato Valentino ski runs, and  gets  steeper  below  Dosso  lau  (2020  m)  up  to  Verdomana  (1521  m).  Otherwise  you  can  choose  to  descend  from  Prato  Val-entino  to  Teglio  on  a  road.  but  from  Verdomana  you  turn  to  the  right on a dirt road (sign Way n. 302) through Val Rogna and get to Dalico (1465 m), which is situated on the Costa di San Gaetano along a trail among the woods. We cut across the road climbing from  the  valley  and  –  always  westwards  –  we  turn  into  the  long  sideway on a trail going north and descending to Sant’Antonio in Val Fontana (1253 m), where we take the road leading to the vil-lage of Ponte in Valtellina.

Several thematic trails can be reached fromAprica. Each with its own rennomated characteristics, they represent unparalleled naturalistic excellences. The combination of care for the land and historical and cultural memory, gives rise to experiences to be lived with the whole family or alone, in contact with themselves... Historical-military trail "Mount of the Cross" The easy trail, suitable for everyone, that starts from the lay-by in front of the "Quercia Antica" refreshment stand in Pian di Gembro is a path dating back to World War I, accompanied by clear descriptive panels. It was part of the Cadorna Line, for the defense of national borders in the event of an Austrian attack. Tunnels for ammunition storage and a targeting gallery facing Tirano are preserved. From a naturalistic point of view, the prevailing plant species are fir, lodgepole pine, larch, birch and, in the undergrowth, bilberry. At the end of the trail, you can admire the peat bog from a lookout. "Blessed P.G. Frassati" religious trail It is thanks to the Italian Alpine Club, which embraced the initiative called "The Frassati Trails of Italy" in order to create a trail dedicated to the famous mountaineer in every Italian region, that Aprica along with Corteno Golgi boast the privilege of owning the one in Lombardy. From the village of Sant'Antonio, it climbs to Savrone, along an ancient path, leads to Premalt, then reaches the orographic disc (2000m), near Zappello dell'Asino, a magnificent viewpoint over Valtellina and part of Valle Camonica, finally reaching the chapel dedicated to S. Carlo, built next to the CAI Valtellina Refuge (1900m). Nature trail "Wood is life" From the Malga Magnolta to the CAI Valtellina Refuge, Trail 341 has been named the "Wood is Life" Thematic Trail, and along its route several bulletin boards have been placed with descriptive panels illustrating the importance of wood and lots of interesting facts about its functions. Inaugurated in August 2004, the trail in 2016 was adopted by Aprica elementary school children for the "School adopts a monument" project. The trail is very comfortable and easy to walk on without major differences in height, and in the central part there are beautiful views of the Rhaetian Alps. Historical trail "Nobel Prize winner C. Golgi" This is an easy trail, immersed mostly in the woods that runs between Aprica and Corteno Golgi. It is dedicated to Camillo Golgi, a distinguished researcher who received the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Surgery in 1906, the first Italian Nobel. He was originally from Corteno (locality named in his honor Corteno Golgi) and then, for decades was a guest in Aprica during summer vacations. Numerous descriptive panels regarding the biographical-scientific history of the luminary and the historical-environmental peculiarities of the place have been placed along the path. Along the way, it is possible to admire a fine example of a Venetian-style sawmill and in the immediate vicinity, the small church of S. Martino Franco (11th cent.), located on a rise.

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The Plaz Mill (Mulì di Plaz) is an old mill consisting of two very similar buildings made of stone masonry and built near the Aprica stream, which provides its motive power.   The 'main building definitely predates 1816, while the second was probably built during the 14th century. The mill permanently ceased operation in 1977. After its abandonment, the Plaz Mill was found to be inoperable and unusable due to moisture from the soil and the few maintenance operations carried out over the years. The reclamation project involved the redevelopment of the mill and surrounding land so as to create a theme park that allows for the recovery of the cultural authenticity of the mountains and the Orobie Valtellinesi. In the area adjacent to the mill, a course of cultivation of ancient Valtellina grains (buckwheat, barley and rye) was started to preserve a quality presidium. The setting up of a small exhibition of documents and tools related to cultivation and the possibility to visit the mill allow to know a historical and cultural reality many times forgotten. For information contact the Aprica Infopoint info@apricaonline.com - tel. 0342746113

  The Sondrio - Valmalenco area is located in the heart of Valtellina. It is home to the provincial capital Sondrio, a town with a charming historic centre. Sondrio offers a variety of services and holds cultural and food and wine events. The Sondrio – Valmalenco area is crowned with famous, majestic peaks, including Piz Bernina. There are equally rich opportunities for exploring the mid and lower valley. Choices range from visiting terraced slopes with numerous wineries that produce elegant DOC and DOCG wines made with exclusive Nebbiolo delle Alpi grapes, to cycling routes suitable even for families. Other options include biking, food and wine, and culture, as well as adrenaline-charged activities on the Adda River like rafting, canoeing and riverboarding, and canyoning in the gorges of the streams. In winter Valmalenco offers a ski area that is suitable for everyone, including children, thanks to its safe, modern lifts and trails.

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