The Trentino Valley, the Italian capital of offroad cycling, has unveiled the six itineraries of its brand-new Gravel offer: a challenging and technically demanding experience, shaped on the nature of the Alpine territory and leading to the discovery of unique places and landscapes
From summer 2023, Val di Sole's extensive offer for two-wheel enthusiasts includes a brand-new special. In the land that since 2008 has become the Italian off-road bike capital, home to three editions of the MTB World Championships and venue of the MTB Cross Country and Downhill World Cup (this year from June 29th to July 2nd), a new exclusive project with a strong identity has been developed, which fits in a unique way within cycling’s hottest trend: Gravel.
Val di Sole launches the ALPINE GRAVEL project. Developed in 2022 in collaboration with Helios, the ALPINE GRAVEL product consists of six itineraries charted along the entire Val di Sole, tested and approved by numerous representatives of the gravel community, involved in the development phase to make sure the new courses would meet the very specific expectations of gravel lovers.
Compared to the Gravel experiences developed in territories of different morphologies, the ALPINE GRAVEL project has very neat and identifiable features related to the uniqueness of the alpine environment of Val di Sole: it is not a Gravel just like any others, and it couldn’t have been.
ALPINE GRAVEL requires greater, although not extreme, athletic, and technical commitment than the more traditional practice on unpaved roads. Such additional effort is eventually rewarded by the variety and uniqueness of the Val di Sole landscapes, and the thrill of reaching brand-new new territories and experiences with a Gravel bike.
The ALPINE GRAVEL routes unroll at an altitude of between 650 and 2,200 mt, never exceeding a 60 km distance, and with an overall elevation gain between 950 and 1,890m. Most of the ALPINE GRAVEL itineraries start from the Mezzana, Dimaro, or Caldes train stations, to allow the bikers to reach Val di Sole and enjoy a unique experience without using a car, also taking advantage of the the BikeTrain and BikeBus services, available from April (for more details visit: visitvaldisole.it)
ALPINE GRAVEL ROUTES
Val di Sole’s ALPINE GRAVEL is the first full-developed Gravel project in Trentino, and includes six routes: Celentino Lake, Monte Vigo, Tonale Pass, Lower Valley, Pejo, Monte Peller, all to be discovered and experienced in full.
ALPINE GRAVEL Celentino Lake: At the feet of the Dolomites and Presanella (45.5 km, 1,750m EG)
The itinerary starts from Ossana. The route runs immediately uphill on a forest road in excellent condition to Malga Campo, which continues to the Celentino Lake on a flat forest road. From the lake, the path towards Malga Pozze reaches Malga Stabli on a well-maintained forest road. From Malga Stabli the descent begins, first on a bumpy dirt road, and then on a much smoother one, before getting on a tarmac road that leads back to the Val di Sole cycle path to Ossana.
ALPINE GRAVEL Tonale Pass: Between history and culture (47.5 km, 1, 220m EG)
From the start in Mezzana, uphill stretches on gravel, dirt, meadows, and forest roads alternate until the summit of Passo del Tonale and the traces of WWI, in particular Forte Nero and Forte Zaccarana. After a well-deserved break and another short uphill section, the descent begins, featuring both technical and dirt road sections toward Ossana. A minimum of technical ability is required to tackle this route, because of the uneven road.
ALPINE GRAVEL Monte Vigo: A bike ride in the Dolomites (47.6 km, 1,700m EG)
After departing from Dimaro, the itinerary heads towards the Val Meledrio. Immersed in the forest, the route is altimetrically demanding but without any technical section. The presence of high vegetation protects from the summer heat. The effort is rewarded with breathtaking views of small waterfalls, streams, and valleys. From Belvedere, in the Folgarida area, the climb continues to the summit of Monte Vigo, where the majesty of the Brenta Dolomites can be admired. On the short, steep climbs, less-trained bikers are likely to opt for portage in a few segments. From the summit of Monte Vigo, a steep descent conduces on a gravel road to Lago dei Caprioli. At that point, a paved road takes the cyclist back to Ossana toward the finish of the itinerary.
ALPINE GRAVEL Lower Valley: Among the apple trees of Val di Sole (49km – 1,000m EG)
For those approaching ALPINE GRAVEL for the first time, the Lower Valley itinerary is the most suitable choice. It is the least technical proposal among the six. The route runs halfway on the Val di Sole cycle path and halfway off-road, passing through towns, villages, and woods. The route begins from the Mezzana station and leads to Ossana along the cycle path, where the first descent is approached with fast-flowing gravel sections. The next climb, from Daolasa through Costa Rotian, opens onto the charming views of the lower Val di Sole. From Dimaro the route is along forest roads until Cavizzana, the lowest point before rejoining the Val di Sole cycle path.
ALPINE GRAVEL Pejo: Up to the Shores of Pian Palù Lake (61.3 km – 1,890m EG)
The most challenging route is certainly the one that runs through the Pejo Valley. This route is breathtaking, both for its views and its climbs, such as the one in the direction of Val de la Mare from which the southern peaks of the Ortles-Cevedale Group can be admired. At the end of the valley, the route continues very quickly on dirt roads to Pejo village. After reaching Malga Covel the descent leads on a serpentine path with very technical spots where only the most experienced bikers will manage not to get off the bike. After crossing the stream, the trail skirts the mountainside where it is recommended to continue with portage. After this technical passage, the route continues without difficulty to Pian Palù Lake, which is characterized by its unique turquoise-blue-green color. After circling the lake, the route descends along the valley road to Pejo Fonti till the starting point. The bike path leading directly to Ossana can be a good alternative to the final segment.
ALPINE GRAVEL Monte Peller: A ride in the Adamello Brenta Park (36.5 km, 1,560m EG)
Up to nearly 2,100 mt in elevation, for a 1,560 mt total elevation gain, this route is among the most challenging and spectacular on the map. The route runs for 36.5 km in the Adamello Brenta Park starting from the Caldes train station. After passing through some vineyards, it embarks on a long gravel climb to the top of Mount Peller. The effort of the last steep uphill climb is paid back by the unique spectacle of the Brenta Dolomites whose peaks, one after the other, appear on the horizon. After reaching Malga Tassula, the descent proceeds swiftly down hairpin bends that cross a wooded path toward the end of the route.
For further information: www.visitvaldisole.it/it/alpine-gravel
