Cycling from Tirano to Sondrio

This itinerary has as its starting point the town of Tirano, which is located a few kilometers from Switzerland.

Tirano marks the meeting point between the Alpine route and the route to Sondrio and Milan on one side and theAlta Valtellina on the other. Continue along the magnificent Via dei Terrazzamenti, a scenic route through mountains and vineyards, until you reach the center of Sondrio.

The via dei Terrazzamenti is a route that can be done in either direction. Here we start from the town of Tirano, where we find many interesting proposals, including the Bernina Red Train, which goes all the way to St. Moritz and the Sanctuary of the Madonna From Tirano, following the bike path we pass through the characteristic villages of this area, as well as the terraced terraces, among mountains, vineyards and apple orchards.

From here we reach the town of Sondrio, where we can see the Masegra Castle and Palazzo Pretorio, now the Town Hall.

ITINERARY

Distance: 34.1 km
Difficulty: medium
Road surface: asphalt and dirt
Elevation gain: + 1965m, -2132 m, (Max. slope:40.9%, -43.3%; Average slope: 9.9%, -9.5%)
Suitable for: users with good athletic training
Type of bike recommended: MTB
Average duration: 3 h approx.

SOME POINTS OF INTEREST

Bernina Red Train in Tirano
The Bernina railway line was built between 1906 and 1910 for tourism purposes and is one of the steepest in the world. Taking the Bernina train from Tirano will take you to Saint Moritz.
Useful info: https://www.trenino-rosso-bernina.it/it
https://www.trenino-rosso-bernina.it/it/orari/
Geolocation on map: 46.21574, 10.16689

Sanctuary of the Madonna of Tirano
Designed by Tommaso Rodari and built between 1505 and 1513, it has a typically Renaissance facade. Of valuable import is the bell tower and, inside, the organ by Brescian Bulgarini.
Useful info: http://santuarioditirano.it/
Phone: 0342 701203
E-mail: santuarioditirano@diocesidicomo.191.it
Hours: Daily: 7 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 2:30-7 p.m. In May: continuous hours on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. June through the end of September: continuous hours throughout the week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Geolocation on map: 46.21792, 10.15501

The Terraces
Scenic route through mountains, vineyards and apple orchards positioned on the side of the Rhaetian Alps. Vineyards are south-facing, carved out by terracing the steep, rocky mountainside.
Useful info: http://www.distrettoculturalevaltellina.mobi/it/via-terrazzamenti/
Valtellina Cultural District: Phone: 0342-358708
E-mail: info@fondazionesviluppo.sondrio.it
Geolocation on map: 46.1867, 10.10447

Praetorian Palace in Sondrio
Now the Town Hall, it was purchased in 1552 by the Valley Council so that it could become the seat of the Grigione government in Valtellina. Some rooms contain 18th-century frescoes.
Useful info: http://www.comune.sondrio.it/site/home.html
Phone: 0342-526.111
Geolocation on map: 46.17093, 9.87189

Masegra Castle in Sondrio
Built in 1048, the castle, after its destruction, was rebuilt in the early 15th century. In later centuries it became a stately home and then in the 20th century it was the seat of the Military District.
Useful info: http://www.castellomasegra.org/
Hours: Open May 1 to September 30, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed August 15.
Phone: 0342-526269
Geolocation on map: 46.17425, 9.87193

Church of San Giorgio in Montagna in Valtellina.
The first core of the present church of San Giorgio was probably built around the middle of the 13th century. Its gabled facade, however, dates from the 15th century.
Useful info: Municipality phone: 0342/380077
Parish phone: 0342/380077
Geolocation on map: 46.179, 9.9046