Le tre Gondole

Le tre Gondole

DIFFICULTY: HIGH

ROUTE FOR: ADULT CYCLISTS WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

RECOMMENDED E-BIKE: Flyer Uproc4

"Le tre Gondole" (The three Gondolas) is an epic mountain bike and e-bike tour unfolding within the municipality of Bormio, tourist destination in Upper Valtellina, and involving the three main gondola lifts in the area:

1. in Bormio, the Bormio-Bormio 2000 gondola

2. in Santa Caterina, the Santa Caterina-Vallalpe gondola

3. in Valdidentro, the Isolaccia-Pian della Mota gondola.

You can start the 3 Gondole tour from any of the three locations.

If you follow the route clockwise, there is relatively little uphill cycling.

The most significant ascents are covered by gondola lift, where you can conveniently transport your mountain bike or e-bike.

The 3 Gondole route

The route has a total length of 66 km, plus a 7 km ascent by gondola lift. The tour mostly takes place on unpaved forest roads, hiking trails, single tracks and cycle paths. An average level of technical (especially for the downhill part) and athletic preparation is required.

The estimated duration of the tour varies greatly depending on your level of training and your MTB riding ability: it ranges from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 9 hours, including a lunch break.

At the top, once you reach the Conca Bianca hut, descend along the unsurfaced road that leads to Fort Venini at Oga. Proceed towards the small picturesque village of Oga, and descend along the dirt track that takes us onto Via Osteglio all the way to the village of Santa Lucia. From here, take the cycle path along the Frodolfo stream back to Bormio.

From Bormio, take the gondola up to Bormio 2000.

From here, ride along the “Strada dell’acqua” to Santa Caterina. This is a 11 km ride on a mostly flat dirt road surrounded by greenery with stunning views of Valfurva.

Follow the downhill section to reach Santa Caterina.

From here, head uphill again by gondola to reach the Sunny Valley hut.

You arrive at Passo dell'Alpe and from here begin the long descent to Val di Rezzalo. The first section is a hiking trail, which then becomes a flat track and eventually a road suitable for vehicular traffic.