• Active & Green
    • Cycle Tourism
    • Sport

Cycling from Aprica to Val Belviso

Highest point 2320 m
Total elevation gain 1550 m
Total elevation loss 1550 m
Total climb 18 km
Total descent 16,5 km
Total distance 25,4 km
Duration 6-8 h
Cycling rate (%) 80%

This route extends wholly through a valley belonging to the Orobic Alps.  Val  belviso  is  the  last  eastern  valley,  it  is  long,  deep  and  nar-row, but along the path going south from Alpe Magnolta to Passo di Venerocolo it seems bright and wide. The outline of Monte Torena  –  the  last  high  peak  of  Orobic  Alps  –  dominates  the  other  side  westwards reflecting its shape into the waters of the huge artificial lake on the valley bottom. Once you get to the pass dividing us from the  Province  of  bergamo,  you  will  find  some  alpine  lakes  wedged  among  the  rocks  and  the  grassy  small  hills.  The  descent  runs  on  a  trail at first and then turns into a dirt road through the whole valley, both alongside the lake and under the dam. In San Paolo the Rifugio Cristina is a nice place to grab calories and shelter. You can  start  from  the  car  park  nearby  Magnolta  ski  runs  and  take  the dirt road climbing up to the left of the cableway. The sign indicates  Malga  Magnolta  and  Passo  Venerocolo.  You  can  easily  cycle on the first half of the uphill dirt road, which then gets much steeper  from  the  mountain  huts  in  Corna  Alta  (1457  m)  to  the  finish  of  the  cableway  (1870  m),  so  that  you  may  need  to  carry  your  MTb.  This  is  a  challenging  ascent  but  in  summertime  you  can  use  the lift up to Magnolta. Halfway up the second ski lift, at 1940 meters, the track becomes a flat trail, which goes into the wood, turns south and enters Val belviso. you have to ride for about 13 km on a flat path going sometimes gently uphill, going past Malga Magnola (1997 m) and crossing the Valle del latte and the Valle di Pisa.  You have  to  pay  attention  to  some  exposed  stretches.  The  first  part  of  the  descent  from  Passo  di  Venerocolo  (2314  m)  to  the  dirt  road  at  2000 meters above Malga di Campo (1816 m) is steep and not very flowing. The downhill ride alongside the artificial lake and through the  remaining  part  of  Val  belviso  does  not  hinder  your  fun.  The  route ends with the ascent on a paved road from Ponte Ganda (906 m) to the resort town of Aprica.


Other links

In bicicletta da Col d'Anzana alla Val Fontana

On the same topic

In search of the king of mushrooms

Mushroom hunting in Lombardy. Three foolproof destinations for gathering the most delicious porcini mushrooms: Valtellina, Val Brembana, and Val d'Intelvi
  • Active & Green
Andar per funghi in Lombardia

The 10 Most Beautiful Trees in Varese, The Garden Province

Between scenic historic gardens, large forests and lakeside villages, the province of Varese is a treasure trove of arboreal jewels.
  • Active & Green
The 10 Most Beautiful Trees in Varese, The Garden Province

Fly Fishing in Lombardy

  • Active & Green
Fly Fishing in Lombardy

The “Triangolo Lariano”: the Corni di Canzo mountain group

These mountains are amazing for outdoor-life lovers with a choice of steep cliffs for climbers, erratic rocks for boulderers and high-altitude hiking trails with a lake view
  • Active & Green
The “Triangolo Lariano”: the Corni di Canzo mountain group

Il caloggio

Visit the WWF Oasis Il Caloggio in the town of Bollate and you will be amazed by the rich and rare biodiversity present.
  • Active & Green
Il Caloggio

The unforgettable experience of a mountain hut holiday

Mountain huts in Lombardy: discovering the secrets of the mountains
  • Active & Green
L’indimenticabile esperienza di una vacanza in rifugio

In between the lake and the sky

Episode 2
  • Active & Green
In between the lake and the sky

It's harvest time in Lombardy 

In the vineyards and cellars of Lombardy, you can take part in the ancient rituals of grape harvesting and pressing and get to know the land where some of the region's best wines are produced
  • Active & Green
È tempo di vendemmia in Lombardia 

A green week in Valtellina

Escape to the mountains just a two-hour drive from Milan for a rural retreat with trekking, typical pizzoccheri pasta and towns that are absolute hidden gems
  • Active & Green
A green week in Valtellina

Unforgettable Experiences on Lake Maggiore

  • Active & Green
Unforgettable Experiences on Lake Maggiore

Greenway Voghera - Varzi

A green way towards the Appennines
  • Active & Green
Greenway Voghera - Varzi

The most beautiful gorges!

The six most beautiful gorges to visit in Lombardy: those of Bellano and Nesso, the most famous, and the equally spectacular gorges of Caino, Cunardo, Val Taleggio and Via Mala
  • Active & Green
The most beautiful gorges in Lombardy - Bellano - discoveringbellano.eu

Bergamo Valle di Scalve, nature, peace and quiet

  • Active & Green
Bergamo Valle di Scalve, tra natura e tranquillità

Visconti park

The medieval splendor come alive in today's Pavia.
  • Active & Green
Visconti Park

Il Fiore di Borgoratto Mormorolo

A new network of hiking trails in Oltrepò Pavese.
  • Active & Green
Il Fiore di Borgoratto Mormorolo

Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

An event that looks to the future, sustainability and inclusion, immersed in the charm of the Lombard landscape and tradition.
  • Active & Green
Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Parks and gardens to explore online

Green virtual tours in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Parchi e giardini da scoprire online

Discovering the lavender fields in Oltrepò Pavese

Not just Provence: lavender fields can also be found in Oltrepò Pavese.
  • Active & Green
Discovering the lavender fields in Oltrepò Pavese

Discover Sporty!

The Lombardy Region App dedicated to mountain sports and tourism enthusiasts
  • Active & Green
Snow hiking in Bormio

Parco dello Stelvio, Bormio and Valdidentro

Walks and strenuous hikes in the heart of the Stelvio National Park surrounded by unspoilt nature and in close contact with mountain fauna
  • Active & Green
Il parco dello Stelvio, Bormio e la Valdidentro