Mesolcina Bike
Overview
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Distance 28 km
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Ascent 240 m
Intro
If you love riding downhill, this is the mountain bike route for you. Setting off from the San Bernardino Pass, you will cycle along a diverse range of trails through the lively Mesolcina Valley, full of history, Alpine nature and authentic villages. Chestnut forests, fortress ruins and the gurgling river Moesa will be your guide on the way down to Lostallo.
Description
The route sets off high over the Mesolcina Valley on the San Bernardino Pass. The top of the pass marks both the watershed that divides Europe and the Italo-German language border. You will witness a distinctive roche moutonnée landscape with countless moors, small lakes and ponds. You will already get to explore this Alpine landscape during the first part of the descent. The views will feature the striking, pyramid-shaped Piz Uccello, San Bernardino’s local mountain.
From there, a trail winds its way above the village of San Bernardino by the southern mouth of the tunnel to Ticino that was opened in 1967. Shortly thereafter, the Alpe de Pian Doss provides a good opportunity to stop for a break. If so inclined, you can sample local produce such as cheese here – or just enjoy the views of the pass, the valley and the mountain chains. At Monda, the trail continues along the road for a while. After crossing the Moesa, you will proceed along paths through meadows, sometimes closer to and sometimes further from the river. The way out of the valley is filled with the scent of chestnut trees and damp moss, the murmuring of the Moesa, old towers and fortresses, and pretty villages built of stone.
First you will arrive at Mesocco, the northernmost municipality in the Mesolcina Valley. To the south, the view is dominated by Mesocco Castle, one of the largest fortress complexes in Switzerland. The route leads through the heart of the village, which is home to several houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. It’s worth stopping to see Soazza too, where the streets are by turns rustic and elegant, lined with genteel 19th century townhouses. The little stone houses uphill and downhill from the high street make for a striking contrast. The Palazzo a Marca, dating back to the Late Renaissance and now an arts centre, stands out too. As does the San Martino parish church, towering atop its hill over the village.
Following the gurgling Moesa all the way, the descent ends in Lostallo. The village typifies the Mesolcina Valley, such as in the drystone walls that line the hills above it.
The Mesolcina Bike route is perfect for anyone looking for an authentic experience in a lesser known albeit very vibrant corner of Switzerland.
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 |
Passo del San Bernardino
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Lostallo
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| Ascent |
240 m
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| Descent |
1900 m
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| Distance |
28 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
6 km
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| Distance on natural surface |
11 km
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| Singletrail (part of natural surface) |
11 km
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| Technical requirements |
Difficult
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| Physical requirements |
Easy
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| Signalization |
Signalisation in both directions
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| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/mountainbiking-in-switz... |
Quick Facts
Route number
