What we rode on the mountain bikes is a very scenic route over the beautiful valley of Livigno. "Little Tibet" is the centerpiece around which our ride revolves.

From the center of the upper Valtellina tourist resort, we climbed to the Sponda chairlift departure station and skirted the entire west side, between Mottolino and Valle delle Mine. At first we advance on dirt road, which gradually narrows and still remains a nice trail. The trail marker is 121. The slopes are never excessive and we encounter two baitèl, the characteristic huts of the area, the Da la Blés and the Da li Fema.

Once past them, the trail descends with even significant slopes, but on terrain that is always well maintained. This allows the mountain bike to be ridden without any particular difficulty.

We cross meadows rich in yarrow, the medicinal herb used for the production of Taneda, a typical Valtellina digestive liqueur. We descend until we cross the Valle delle Mine and continue slightly uphill towards the northwest side of the village. Entering the forest, on path 116 below Monte del Buon Curato, we come to cross the road going up to the Forcola Pass. From here several ups and downs lead us to appreciate the tees, traditional peasant buildings made of wood and stone, with the barn attached.

The ride cuts across the ski slopes that descend into the village, the marker is 190, along the slopes of the very popular Carosello 3,000 ski area. We cross it completely and enter the Federia Valley.

After about a kilometer on asphalt, here we are on a dirt road again. We climb gradually passing several small bridges; the route is number 167. At Alpe Federia (2,207 m) impossible to resist the zero-kilometer products of the farm of the same name. After the stop we retrace our way back down the valley. A very pleasant ride that takes us to the little church of the Immaculate of Vieira, at the entrance to Livigno, in front of the lake and very close to the new Aquagranda sports and wellness facility. From here, in a few minutes, we ride back to the center.

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Cover image:@matteozanga