Italy MTB Routes – pedalnorth

Italy and the Tremalzo MTB tour

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:35:43 +0000

Visit Garda Trentino

Italy and the legendary Tremalzo MTB/ Gravel tour

Take to the heights near Lake Garda

There’s history all around Lake Garda, and this legendary route takes you up high to see it in the mountains, as you ride along tracks used by generations, including historic tracks used during the second world war.

Cycling clockwise from Molina di Ledro, we take on the legendary mountain bike route from Ledro via the historic remalzo road – one of the Garda region’s best-loved MTB routes. It’s a tough but rewarding mtb trip into the hills close to Lake Garda, and accessible for cycling tourists wanting to take in the beautiful Italian Lakes area. Good fitness is required, and a good quality bike. The route is on a well used track; however, you do need to be an experienced rider, with a good quality bike and the ability to look after yourself and any mechanicals along the way.

However, once you’re ready, this route is a mountain bike route that will stay in your memory for ever!

Note: This route can also be ridden on a tough and trail-ready gravel bike, such as the 3T Extrema Italia

Route Information

Stats: 46 km 1, 555 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay: Lake Garda has everything you need. For detailed information, visit the Lake Garda and Trentino websites.

Click Here for Garda Trentino website

Character: This is a great challenge, but requires fitness and good bike handling skills, and knowledge of how to fix your bike. If you get an issue, you’re up high and left to your own skills. Take plenty of fluids and snacks, in case the refuses are not available.

Route

The ride starts at the village of Molina de Ledro and follows the Strada del Ponale downhill to the village of Pre de Ledro. At the village, a cobbled mountain road leads off to the right, before you take a gravelled path to Passo Guill.
The gradient gets tougher here, with extensive views of Lake Garda to help you along the way. Eventually, a junction at the Bocca dei Fortini leads you onwards to Passo Nota, where the Rifugio degli Alpini mountain hut is on hand to serve refreshments before you tackle the main climb.
Now, things get tough, as you follow the legendary Tremalzo pass road, constructed by the Italian Army during WWI. The winding trail and tunnels keep you focused, as this epic route continues.
From the 1,200 m a.s.l. at Passo Nota, you reach the high point of the ride at 1,855 m a.s.l., reaching the gallery overlooking the beautiful Italian lakes scenery below Mount Corno della Marogna. Now it’s time to descend, through tunnels and along ribbon winding trails, passing the mountain hut at Passo Tremalzo, before hitting the valley and taking tracks back to the start.

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Bormio 3000 mountain bike route

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:41:42 +0000

Image courtesy of www.bormio.eu/en

Bormio 3000 MTB Route

Italian mountain bike adventure

The Bormio 3000 is not a formal trail centre, rather its a series of trails linked in and around this mountain town, taking you to the top of the mountain slopes and offering you an epic descent back to the valley. From Bormio, you can take the Gondola up to to… or if using an e-bike, enjoy the ascent.

The descent to Santa Caterina is an epic one, for experts only. However, if you have the fitness and skills, then this is ride to savour.

Route Information

Stats: 33 km with an ascent of 2,008 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay: Bormio is a well practised place for cycling tourists to stay, and has everything. At the top of the pass, you’ll find places to eat, drink and rest before descending

Character: Tough and steep, with technical descents and tricky ascents. We have two options: Santa Caterina start, using the Gondola ascent at Bormio; or a ride from Bormio, climbing the slopes – suitable for e-bikes. The Bormio start is actually longer, and does have the climb as an option.

Do not tackle if your actual fitness and skill level is not up to this. However, if you’re ready for the adventure, it is an epic ride! This is a mountain ride for expert level mountain bikers only.

Route

This is an expert only route from Bormio,as you ascend the steep and technical trails from the town – or choose the Gondola, wisely. Once at the summit, the track weaves around the rocky landscape, and there is a choice of descents at the 37 km point of the ride. Either descend to Santa Caterina on the more popular route, or take the track to the left and descent to Capella del Sant in the valley, and miss out Santa Caterina.

Once you have descended at speed through the the trees to Capella del Sant, simply follow the road back to Bormio via Sant Antonio and the small villages.

Alternative start

The Bormio 3000 can be started from Santa Caterina, allowing you a a warm up ride, as you take to the road and tracks through the century old conifer trees, on a forest road immersed in the woods, and ride to Bormio itself. However, once you reach Bormio, this second part of the route is technical and tricky, and should only be ridden by expert and experienced riders.

On reaching Bormio, the ski lifts can be taken to get you up the mountain. Yes, there are tracks that e-bikes can utilise. However,a gondola ascent will save time and energy for the epic descent.

Reaching the top of Cima Bianca at a height of 3,000m nothing is predictable – save for an epic technical descent back down to Santa Caterina! Simply follow the GPX track and stay on course, as the rough and technical trail weaves itself down the mountain.

For more useful information about where to stay and what to do locally, visit the Bormio website

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Bormio 3000 – Santa Caterina

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Bormio non-Gondola Route

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Stelvio Pass gravel and mountain bike route – unpaved

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:01:01 +0000

Stelvio Pass off-piste and off-road

An epic Italian mountain adventure

Alex & Teo

We all know the Stelvio Pass, of course we do! However, did you know that there are a series of tracks and unpaved roads that lead to and from this legendary Italian summit, on the border with Switzerland. Yes, once you set off from Bormio, along the aptly named ‘Via Stelvio’, you are set for an epic adventure.

After 3.2 km, the road continues upwards, yes. However, off to the left is a track that leads into the lower trees and mountain tracks. You can either take this as a gravel bike ascent of the Stelvio, or descend it on your gravel bike after climbing the main pass. As an extreme alternative, get dropped off at the summit and ride down this old mountain pass, off-road on a mountaon bike adventure into Bormio! The choice is yours, and we have gpx files for either option. Alex and Teo did a climb of the main pass road recently, alongside the awesome mountain bike descent, whilst travelling through Switzerland and Italy.

Anyway, we’ve mapped out the route for you to share in their adventure – so, off you go!

Route Information

Stats: 46 km 2,000 metres

Rifugio Ristoro Solena also provides a great option for meals and maybe a stay, as you descend towards the Lago de Cancano in the valley.

Character: Tough and steep, with a technical descent. Do not tackle if your actual fitness and skill level is not up to this. However, if you’re ready for the adventure, it is an epic ride!

Route

The Stelvio Pass is a route that needs no introduction. However. are you aware that old mountain tracks and military roads lead you off-piste and off-road from and to this epic cycling challenge and summit. Yes, from just a few km outside of Bormio, the road is joined by tracks and unpaved roads that can either take you on an epic gravel or mtb ascent, or conversely, an epic gravel bike descent from the Stelvio summit.

From Bormio, follow the masses and take the road to the Stelvio Pass, as it climbs majestically. At the 3.2 km point, if you’re looking to climb the gravel bike ascent, then head off to the left on the signed tracks.
Several signs are on a post here, including a red square with a white painted bike and rider. Descend this and now follow your gpx file carefully.
Alternatively, if you’re ascending the road, just stay on the road and climb… and climb! after 24 km off-road and 18 km on-road, you’ll reach the summit!

Descent route off-road

If you are taking the gravel or mountain bike descent, then the tracks begin just behind the hotel and restaurant Genziana at the summit. Take your time on the inital stages, and take in the epic history of these trails.
The Umbria Pass is crossed by the track on your way down/ up, and once crossed, the tricky descent heads down with awesome scenery all around you.
The higher track is a good surface, but then leads to steep and technical sections. Take care on these and ride/walk to your abilities.

Rifugio Ristoro Solena

As the gravel tracks lead down to the Lago de Cancano, you meet the Rifugio Ristoro Solena, where booking in advance or luck can provide you with a magical nights stay by this beautiful mountain lake, before heading back to the road and into Bormio.

All that’s left now is to eat and replenish your energy, and take in this amazing area of Italy, before planning your next mountain adventure!

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Gravel Ascent

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Mixed Route full

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Stoneman Trail Mountain Bike Challenge

Pedalnorth Website — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 17:02:37 +0000

STONEMAN MTB TRAIL CHALLENGE
Epic 4 day mountain bike challenge in the Dolomites

Image courtesey of Stoneman Tourista

If you’re a lover of mountains and adventure and you ride a mountain bike, then you’ll love the Stoneman Trail in the Dolomites. The route sits neatly in the mountains in the north of Italy and briefly crosses the border in Austria. With a distance of over 100km, this mountain bike challenge has a number of days in which to complete the ride, visiting certain checkpoints along the way, so that your ride can be verified. It’s a challenge and a tough one, but ultimately it’s up to you.

Sesto in the Tyrol is a wonderfully beautiful location and excellent small hamlet with all the usual tourist facilities on hand. It’s our recommendation for starting the challenge.

Remember, this isn’t an event on a set day, nor a festival. It’s simply a route created by amazing character that is Rolan Stauder.

You can simply turn up at any time and decide not to log on at one of the 4 designated start points for this well signed route, and to ride it at your own pace and explore the beauty of the Dolomites – and of the course the extreme challenge that these mountains offer to the adventurous spirit.

Route Information

Stats 108 km (minimum – officially 115 km) 3995 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay

This area of the Dolomites has several options. We’ve created links on our map below, giving you some excellent choices for accommodation and food. Our choice of main base is the mountain tourist hamlet of Sesto.

Character

It’s a tough and epic mountain challenge. Be sure that your skills, fitness and knowledge are up to the challenge. You’ll be heading into the mountains, so be prepared for steep bike hikes and technical descents that require care.

Information

The trail is a 120 km long marked trail in the Italian Dolomites, with around 4,000 m in altitude. Having registered your challenge, you can leave the Alta Pusteria at a time of your choosing, with the Stoneman-Dolomiti card for the collection of stamps. The goal is to collect the stamps that you will find on five points – the so-called ‘checkpoints’ along the route. There are four points of sale for you to buy your Stoneman challenge package, including the card, the map with the profile of the altitude differences and a gift.

The riders who manage to collect the five checkpoint stamps will be named on the Stoneman website and will be awarded with a unique trophy, specially created by Roland Stauder.

The cost of the package starts at 25 Euro, and for this you get:

• Water bottle – Multifunctional Fascic silicone bracelet
• Stoneman-Dolomiti card for the collection of stamps
• Map with profile of the differences in height
• Registration of finishers on the website www.stoneman.it
+ Basic Wooden Trophy with the logo costs 20 €

Where to buy the Stoneman starter package

The 4 places that are designated to sell the Stoneman package are:

• Sesto Cableway Mt.Elmo open 08.00-10.00 & 16.30-20.00
• Hotel Bergland: Sillian center (Austria) open 08.00 to 20.00
• Padola Tourist Consortium: info below: info@stoneman.it
• San Candido Acquafun ( for the moment is not a selling point)

Once you set off, you have 4 days to complete the Stoneman challenge, collecting your stamps at the 5 checkpoints, before returning to your start point. For the final check and the award ceremony you will have to go back to your starting point. You can also pick up the ‘departure package’ the evening before departure, after 5pm. As the day of departure it will be registered the next day. Those who finish the “Stoneman-Trail” in the evening after the closing time of the store, can also deliver the bracelet the following day by 9 am.

There’s a wealth of useful information on the Stoneman website. Click the link at the foot of this page to visit and find out more. Here are a few very useful tips from the website, which will help to keep you safe on this epic mountain bike adventure.

Important tips

To complete the “Stoneman” adventure in three days, you need to be able to make daily stages of 2,500 m in altitude. The ascent to the “Sillianerhütte” (3 km) is very steep. The most difficult part of the route is the “Demut” transit (10 km), which will excite above all experts on the subject!

On the other hand, for less experienced cyclists, Roland recommends the following variant:

1st day: Sesto – San Candido – Dobbiaco – Lachwiesen refuge – Piazza San Silvestro – Markinkele – Hochrast – Prato Drava – San Candido-Sesto (1 stamp)
2nd day: Sesto – San Candido – Prato Drava – Sillian – Leckfeld hut – Sillianerhütte – Hornischegg – Klammbach hut – Moso – Sesto (1 stamp)
3rd day: Sesto – Moso – Malga Nemes – Passo Silvella – Col Roson – Dosoledo – Padola – Valgrande – Passo Monte Croce – Prati Croda Rossa – Moso – Sesto (3 timpro)

Gold Stoneman: If you reach 5 checkpoints in one day.
Silver Stoneman: if you reach 5 checkpoints in two days.
Stoneman bronze: if you reach the 5 checkpoints in three days.

Image courtesy of Italy Bike Hotels – Let them help plan your trip

Important Information & Advice from Stoneman

1. Give yourself adequate physical preparation for a 120-kilometer MTB marathon on difficult terrain and with an altitude difference of over 4,000 meters (5,000 meters of height difference felt);
2. Present a recent medical certificate attesting your aptitude to support physical effort;
3. Start the excursion very early, already at the first light: for the Stoneman-Trail even the professionals charge a whole day;
4. Calculate the times generously, taking into account the push sections and the descents to be covered slowly;
5. Stop in time, before it gets dark;
6. Make sure you are perfectly familiar with the driving technique in the high mountains, in particular on singletrails, partly obstructed and on a ridge and exposed surface (in particular the Demut-Passage and the descent of the Cornetto di Confine / Marchkinkele);
7. In order to be able to give you mutual help in the home of necessity (for example in the event of a fall or situations that may involve dangers), never travel the Stoneman-Trail alone, but always in two or even better in three;
8. Equip yourself for the high mountains, for example with warm clothing, waterproof and windstopper, MTB suitable for high mountains, enough food, plenty of drinks, backpack with repair kit and spare parts;
always check the route with the map, compass and GPS;
9. Respect the rules of the road and the rules of behaviour in the mountains.

Further Advice

1. Follow the rules of the Highway Code.
2. The Stoneman-Trail develops on paths and public roads with some dirt sections. The route is at your own risk.
3. Some sections are high in the mountains. Find out in advance about the weather conditions by taking the appropriate clothing with you.
4. Respect other people, safeguard nature and do not disturb the animals around you.
5. Remember, whoever is on foot takes precedence.
6. Close every gate you find.
7. Don’t leave trash lying around.

Equipment & Bike Check Advice

Equipment checklist:

• spare inner tube
• pneumatic pump
• helmet
• gloves
• mobile phone
• water bottle
• energy bars
• windstopper
• sunglasses
• money
• information sheet with map and useful telephone numbers
• repair kit

Bike-Check:

• Check the pressure status and the profile of the wheels
• Check the rims – Check the brake pressure and brake shoes
• Check the spokes
• Check the suspension fork
• Check the handlebars
• Adjust the saddle height
• Check the gearbox

Useful Telephone Numbers

Useful telephone numbers

1. First aid 112
2. Alpine rescue 0039 340 7967883
3. Police 113
4. BikeTaxi 0039 348 2688899
5. Taxi 0039 0474 710650
6. Taxi 0039 348 8423779
7. Info STONEMAN 0039 348 9055460

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Tour des Combins

Pedalnorth Website — Sun, 09 May 2021 20:33:54 +0000

Tour des Combins
A truly epic few days bikepacking in the Alps

The Tour des Combins is a renowned route on the border between Switzerland and Italy, used by both hikers and bikers. It even has a website dedicated to it (which we link to below). Bikepacking in this area is tough but rewarding, with sections of hard climbing, bike hike and bike carrying. However, you’re rewarded by amazing views and extensive tracks that swoop down towards the valleys, as you traverse this sublime mountain area.

Route Information

Stats 115 km 4161 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay

There are mountain huts along the way, and good options for small hotels and B&B slightly off route as you travel. You’ll maybe also want to spend the odd night under the stars. We’ve linked in to the wider expertise of the Tour des Combins website, to give you best information.

Click Here for official website

It’s also up to you to be sensible, and to take reasonable provisions and equipment with you on a Bikepacking trip such as this.

Character

This is a difficult route, and it should only be undertaken by experienced people with a good level of fitness, and people with good navigational skills. Don’t always rely on electronic devices to point your way; especially when high in the Alps. The hard sections are rewarded though, with swooping descents and technical trails that bring miles of smiles.

Route

The Tour des Combins begins at one of the great passes of the Alps – the Gran San Bernardo, in the heart of the Pennine Alps. It’s a tough and rewarding ride, which you’ll need at least three days to complete, and to add a few days more to, if you want a more relaxed trip.

Situated between the Mont Blanc massif and the Matterhorn, the route circumnavigates the slopes of the Combins bordering Italy and Switzerland. Accommodation options include the many mountains huts: COL DE MILLE HUT, BRUNET HUT, PANOSSIÈRE F-X BAGNOUD HUT, CHANRION HUT, and the LETEY HUT in Champillon.

It’s a mixture of epic singletrack, technical trails and easier tracks, with some hike a bike thrown into the mix, especially as you climb to the Fenêtre de Durand (2,797 m). Using elements of the ancient Via Francigena pilgrim trail, a 1800km medieval trail between Canterbury UK and Rome, it takes on the alpine valleys of Valle d’Aosta and Menouve, as it heads into coniferous woods, surrounded by the imposing peaks of Mont Vèlan, Gelè, and the Grand Combin. It is simply not worthwhile writing too detailed a route description here. Download the GPX file and have good maps and a compass with you and ensure that your navigation skills match your thirst for adventure.

However, here are a few short route tips. You initially climb on tracks, then descent to a point in the hills above the village of Creton, before climbing now to the high point of the route, on the border between Italy and Switzerland. From here you descend and can use the Cabane de Chanrion CAS as an overnight halt. The route then descends the vally to the village of Fionnay, before heading upwards again and into more forested hills, climbing and descending on epic tracks along the way, before a long climb to the Col de Mille and the refuge.

The route then descends towards the valley and Bourg Saint Pierre, before a final climb, passing Lac des Toules (Lake) as you head back to the Statua di San Bernardo.

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Lugano 66 Bike Route

Pedalnorth Website — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 15:31:34 +0000

Lugano 66 Mountain Bike Route

Italy Mountain Biking
Hit the trails in the Italian mountains
(image: Nicola Possi)

One of the most attractive trails in the Ticino area, winds its way as a high trail around the Val Colla above Lugano and leads through the imposing Monte Tamaro to the hilly forest of Malcantone. A fantastic tour with spectacular panoramic views

4 STAGES

The individual sections offer wide diversity. As an example, along the stretch between the Monte Bre and Rivera and in Malcantone. The entire tour is characterized by varied and interesting countryside with fairy-tale forests and lush Alpine meadows. The first part of the ridge between the Pairolo and Gola di Lago is a biking classic, with its spectacular scenery and lined with three cosy mountain huts. In contrast however, the Malcantone lies on a valley slope at the foot of the mountain, with lush forests and picturesque villages bearing witness to past activities and monuments of historical and artistic importance.

The first half of the tour is marked by an impressive panorama, with wide green Alpine meadows and babbling streams. The second leads through an enchanting natural oasis, with forests of birch, chestnut and oak, both local and introduced species of trees, alternate along the entire route.

The route leads through the area of the region’s most famous mountains: the Monté Brè, Monte Bar and Monte Tamaro. However, it is best to take the aerial gondola up the Monte Lema. From the four peaks you are treated to impressive views of the city of Lugano and its large lake, the imposing backdrop of the Bernese and Valais Alps, Lago Maggiore and neighbouring Italy. A perfect panorama route dotted with regional discoveries.

Flowing single track trails on natural surfaces alternate with links on asphalt roads,taking you to adventures. It’s a fantastic tour, combining nature, panoramic views, history and culture. The route uses the development potential of the regional bike network. Welcome to Lugano and the terrific mountain bike trails.

Length: 120 km
Length of which unsurfaced: 80 km (80 of 120)
Length of which Singletrail: 34 km (34 of 80)

Requirements: difficult
Time:4 tappe / Etappen / étapes / stages: 16 h
Conditions: difficult

Height difference: Lugano (Monte Brè)–Ponte Tresa: 4191 m

Download full route GPX below

Italy MTB Routes – pedalnorth

Italy and the Tremalzo MTB tour

Italy and the legendary Tremalzo MTB/ Gravel tour

Take to the heights near Lake Garda

Route Information

Route

Click below for GPX files

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Alternative start

Click below for GPX files

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Stelvio Pass gravel and mountain bike route – unpaved

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An epic Italian mountain adventure

Alex & Teo

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Descent route off-road

Rifugio Ristoro Solena

Click below for GPX files

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