For any biking enthusiast there are all manner of opportunities to get yourself in gear and take off on trails throughout Valchiavenna. The slopes surrounding the most farflung district of the municipality at Villa di Chiavenna are a fine example. In fact there are any number of itineraries here along which to appreciate the manifold charms of Italian Bregaglia. One route sets out from the car parking area near the dam at Villa. After a short stretch take the well-signposted cycle path which crosses the actual dam wall and continues along the banks of the reservoir. Before long you reach the hamlet of S. Barnaba: simply follow the directions towards nearby Switzerland, leaving behind the new play area in Puri, which incidentally is also kitted out for barbecues.
From here you take on a dirt road, and head into woodland until you reach the first expanse of meadows. The surface now takes on an asphalt nature and moves on towards the habitation of Laghetti (1243m) where there are a number of mountain dwellings (baite) and a pair of improvised bodies of water. Coming back to the entry to the village you pursue the path that leads to a fine panoramic viewpoint, a splendid spot for a break.
The route moves on maintaining an average height of between 1300-1400m, with fantastic views over the opposing valley slopes and the peaks beyond at more than three thousand metres. Pedalling away you reach the localities of Guald (1320m) and Golgéra (1319m), with their very distinctive habitations; here you’ll discover yet another optimum vantage point (La Sponda1400m), and shortly afterwards the hamlet of Cantone (1301m). The mountain pasture which is characterised by an impressively swampy meadow hosts an engaging cluster of
baite. And from right here it’s possible to return to the asphalted road which makes its leisurely way back down to Villa di Chiavenna. It’s an itinerary which represents only one of many described meticulously on the website valchiavennabike.it, where you can find a deal of useful information on rental and support stations.
