The Valchiavenna bicycle trail

The Valchiavenna bicycle trail is a challenging journey of about 33 km from the shores of Lake Mezzola to the border with Switzerland running almost always on a protected seat. Chiavenna is exactly halfway down the road to mark a turning point between the plain and the mountain. The total altitude difference of the itinerary exceeds 650 mt.

Path

To reach Valchiavenna, many cyclists prefer to start in Colico, an important inhabited center overlooking Lake Como, and from here pedal few miles north to Verceia, from where the real cycle trail begins. Verceia is on the right shore of Lake Mezzola and enjoys a magnificent view of Mount Legnone, which accompanies us in the first stretch until the town of Novate Mezzola.

Starting from Novate, we follow the course of the river Mera through cultivated fields and small farms. At some point the track runs along the state road, but it is only a very short stretch.

About 10 km from the start, we reach Giumello and we enter the plain of Chiavenna. The trail then continues to follow the river, in the middle of fields and meadows until Bedogna then turn east and face the first simple climbs. The effort ends in Chiavenna, the most important tourist and administrative center of the valley, well known to all mountain lovers. The city is also popular among cyclists who appreciate the cool weather even in the summer, the variety of itineraries and the challenges in high altitude. Noteworthy is also the historical center, where the 14th-century Palazzo Balbiani stands out.

Leave Chiavenna, we enter the Val Bregaglia, green jewel of the region made of vineyards, waterfalls and imposing granite walls. The bike path here becomes more demanding and tackles one climb after the other, the trail will be hard especially in the last 7 km: from Borgonuovo to the border with Switzerland. The itinerary ends in Castasegna, once the town of Villa di Chiavenna has passed.