Graubünden Route
Overview
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Distance 48 km
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Ascent 280 m
Intro
A thrilling 2000-metre descent into Valle Mesolcina without one push of the pedals! After the raw wind on the pass, greedily inhale the mildness of the south. The towers of Bellinzona soon beckon - the defiant walls once stood guard over trading routes.
Description
With strength renewed, you follow the roaring Moësa as you leave the bustling resort of San Bernardino. This 46-km tributary of the Ticino has its source on San Bernardino Pass and gives its name to Mesolcina (Misox) Valley. The valley has always remained closely linked to Graubünden, although Italian is spoken here as in Puschlav/Poschiavo and Bergell/Bregaglia. Time seems to have stood still in the smaller villages with their many stone-tiled houses. Your bike almost never stops as you race downhill towards the South. Surrounded by rock walls, you speed along a well-constructed road with countless skidmarks. The view of the motorway clinging to the mountains is quite surreal. A side-lane with varied scenery leads down to Mesocco. Superb views of the valley open up. The ruins of the 11th-century Castello di Mesocco, the ancestral castle of the Counts of Misox, sit majestically on a crag below the village. It ranks as one of the most important in Graubünden and is the largest ruin in Switzerland.
The terraced village of Soazza is tiny but very picturesque. This short detour has some arduous climbs, but it's well worthwhile. The steep slopes above the village are home to stately oaks, lime trees and mighty chestnut trees (known as "chestnut groves"). The climate zone has changed noticeably since the start of the section. Thanks to its position on the southern flank of the Alps, the Misox Valley enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mist-free winter days. Snow is often on the ground in San Bernardino while Mediterranean plants are blooming in the lower part of the valley – and you are still in Graubünden canton!
Roveredo is the main centre in the lower Misox Valley. And what could be nicer here than a break in a cool grotto with a typical lunch menu and a glass of local wine? The village also has some beautiful 17th-century houses including the home of Enrico Zuccalli, the locally born architect and master-builder. Next comes a secluded stretch at Piano di San Vittore, immediately after you cross the motorway and river. A forest path traverses rough and smooth terrain along the Moësa. You pass an inviting forest garden grotto and some tranquil bathing spots to reach Arbedo-Castione. This is where the Moësa flows into the Ticino. An asphalted surface takes you comfortably to the mediaeval UNESCO city of Bellinzona with its majestic castles and Lombard flair.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
S. Bernardino
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Bellinzona
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| Ascent |
280 m
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| Descent |
1650 m
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| Distance |
48 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
47 km
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| Distance on natural surface |
1 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| More information | https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/veloland/etappe6.07... |
Quick Facts
Route number
