In the territory of the Antigorio Valley there are numerous possibilities for MTB and e-bike lovers. In various countries there are rental and charging points, assistance and shelter means, guide services and mountain bike schools.
Here are the main mountain bike routes:
Toce MTB route: from Crevoladossola to Passo San Giacomo
Point of departure: Lago Tana parking, at the exit SS33 Crevoladossola – Montecrestese (305 m)
Point of arrival: Passo San Giacomo (2306 m)
Length: 53 km
Walking time: 6 h 30
Degree of difficulty: Medium (BC)
Altitude difference: 2300 m uphill, 300 m downhill
Recommended period: July – mid-October
The MTB path of Toce, from Montecrestese/ Crevoladossola to Passo San Giacomo is the main backbone of the Valle Antigorio Formazza from which depart the other routes. The path goes up the valley through the towns and near the main road (SS659). The numerous accommodation and catering options along the valley allow you to choose the length of the stages depending on your level of preparation.
The Toce MTB Trail takes on an international dimension as it represents the natural connection between Domodossola and the Gotthard Pass on a bicycle.
The proposed itinerary follows, with some limited variations to avoid the steepest mule tracks, the SBRINZ ROUTE to Riale. From Riale the route follows the beautiful road to Passo San Giacomo. From the pass you can go down in Val Bedretto to Airolo along the path 390 Alpi Bedretto Bike promoted by Svizzera Mobile that in the middle touches the Alps of Formazza, Valleggia, Folera, Stabiello, Cristallina and Pescium.
Arvenolo and the Devil’s Wall
Point of departure: Crodo
Point of arrival: Crodo
Length: 15,5 km
Degree of difficulty: Medium
Altitude difference: 465 m uphill, 465 m downhill
Recommended period: April – October
Fun and scenic loop route on low-traffic asphalt roads, paved consortial tracks and dirt tracks closed to ordinary traffic.
In Arvenolo there is the so-called “Devil’s Wall”, a megalithic complex consisting of structures made of dry stone composed by blocks of rock roughly hewn of impressive dimensions, probably of sacred destination. From Crego to Verampio you cross the whole fascinating area of the “Glacial Garden of the Uriezzo Gorges” consisting of gorges and potholes dug by the ancient system of streams that flowed on the bottom of the glacier that once ran through the Antigorio valley.
Aleccio
Point of departure: Crodo
Length: 18 km (round trip)
Degree of difficulty: Medium
Altitude difference: 1120 uphill, 1120 downhill
Recommended period: May-October
Itinerary is linear and very scenic. It winds on asphalt roads with low traffic, paved consortial tracks and dirt tracks closed to ordinary traffic.
Overall, the route is not difficult but has a difference in altitude that begins to become important. It can also be tackled by beginner cyclists with an e-bike. The most difficult stretches in which to pay attention for the presence of obstacles are concentrated in the variant that leads to Alpe Aloro.
Villages in Valle Antigorio
Point of departure: Crodo
Point of arrival: Crodo
Length: 18,5 km
Degree of difficulty: Medium
Altitude difference: 620 uphill, 620 downhill
Recommended period: April – October
Circular itinerary on beautiful mule tracks, tracks and sections of low-traffic paved roads to discover the three villages of the Antigorio valley: Baceno, Crodo and Premia, with their hamlets. It also crosses the whole fascinating area of the “Glacial Garden of the Orridi di Uriezzo” consisting of gorges and potholes dug by the ancient system of streams that flowed on the bottom of the glacier that once ran through the Valle Antigorio.
Ring of Cuggine
Point of departure: Baceno Piazza Aldo Moro
Point of arrival: Baceno Piazza Aldo Moro
Length: 3 km
Degree of difficulty: Medium
Altitude difference: 100 m uphill, 100 m downhill
Recommended period: March-November
A very short loop tour with very low elevation gain to discover Cuggine, an old village of Baceno now abandoned but rich in history.
Salèra Oratory
Point of departure: Cravegna
Point of arrival: Cravegna
Length: 12 km
Degree of difficulty: Medium
Altitude difference: 525 m uphill, 525 m downhill
Recommended period: April – November
Features: Loop course
Partially circular route on a consortium asphalt track, dirt tracks and a short stretch on a mule track to discover the characteristic oratory of the “Madonna di Salèra”. The oratory is the arrival point of the beautiful Via Crucis that starts in Cravegna. Overall, it is a simple route suitable for beginners who on the mule track can get off the saddle and lead the mountain bike by hand for a few minutes downhill.
Alpe Deccia Tour
Point of departure: Crodo
Point of arrival: Crodo
Length: 26,5 km
Degree of difficulty: Medium
Altitude difference: 1165 m uphill, 1165 m downhill
Recommended period: May – October
Features: Loop course
Beautiful circular route (to be precise eight shaped) in Valle Antigorio, on low traffic asphalt roads and consortial slopes at the foot of Mount Cistella. The route takes place among pastures, sacred buildings, well-preserved rural buildings and beautiful views.
Overall, the route is not difficult but has a difference in altitude that begins to become important. It can also be tackled by beginner cyclists with an e-bike. The most difficult stretches due to the presence of obstacles in which it is advisable to descend are the path between Voma and the Alfenza Torrent and from the Navasco downhill path.
Chapel of Cheggio
Point of departure: Crodo
Point of arrival: Crodo
Length: 18,5 km
Degree of difficulty: Difficult
Altitude difference: 900m uphill 900m downhill
Recommended period: maggio- ottobre
Features: Loop course
Beautiful circular route with easy ascent on paved road to Foppiano, continuation on dirt track and challenging descent for experienced bikers. In addition to touching many of the hamlets and ancient rural villages of Crodo, the objective of this route is to reach the Chapel of Cheggio, perhaps the most beautiful viewpoint of the Valle Antigorio. Please note that with the bike you can only get to the end of the consortium track for Alpe Cheggio. To reach the chapel you must leave your bike in the terminal parking and continue on foot for 10 minutes on a steep path not suitable for cycling.
Devero Great Est
Point of departure: Alpe Devero
Point of arrival: Alpe Devero
Length: 20,5 km
Degree of difficulty: Difficult
Altitude difference: 700 m uphill, 700 m downhill
Recommended period: July – September
Features: Loop course
Circular tour through the vast high altitude grasslands of the Great East of Devero, a plateau over 7 km long, above 2000 m, area of production of Bettelmatt cheese.
The route is challenging overall but it is one of the most beautiful trips of Ossola: the show will reward the efforts.
Lago di Agàro
Point of departure: Croveo (you can also leave from Goglio
Point of arrival: Fondo Lago di Agaro
Length: 27 km round trip (18 km from Goglio)
Degree of difficulty: Medium
Altitude difference: 850 m uphill (490 m uphill if you start from Goglio). Same difference in altitude but downhill, return
Recommended period: June – October
Caratteristiche: Linear route. Return along the same route of ascent.
Simple route on road and tracks to discover Lake of Agàro, artificial basin built in the mid-1930s submerging the ancient Walser village of Agàro.
Veia di Scuetar
Point of departure: Baceno Piazza Aldo Moro
Point of arrival: Baceno Piazza Aldo Moro
Length: 23 km
Degree of difficulty: Difficult
Altitude difference: 830 m uphill, 830 m downhill
Recommended period: May – October
Features: Loop course
Challenging loop route, suitable only for experienced bikers with biammortized mountain bikes. The most difficult stretch is the “Veia di Scuetar” between Agarù and Cravegna where the presence of obstacles (stones and roots), short stone staircases both uphill and downhill and exposed sections require a good technique.
Tour of the Cistella mountain with MTB
Point of departure: San Domenico Loc. Punta del Dosso
Point of arrival: San Domenico
Length: 38 km
Degree of difficulty: Difficult
Altitude difference: 1350 m uphill, 2400 m downhill
Recommended period: August-September
The “Tour del Cistella MTB” is a ring of 38 km of extraordinary interest around the mountain symbol of the high Ossola. It involves 3 municipalities of the upper Ossola (Varzo, Crodo and Baceno). The route uses a network of paths and forest trails and pastoral consortia existing.
The loop tour can be approached starting from two locations: San Domenico (Municipality of Varzo) also accessible by public transport, or Foppiano (Municipality of Crodo), not served by public transport. This second location allows you to immediately face with fresh forces the climb to “Passo della Colmine”, for sure the most challenging stretch.
The “Tour del Cistella MTB” is challenging, with very steep climbs, so it is strongly recommended to use a good biammortized E-bike.
