E-Mail: Contact Casa Lunga, putting "Casa Lunga" in the subject line
Holidaying by Lake Maggiore: sports and other interests in the region:
Mountain Biking
More itineraries of some of the best routes starting here will be posted online eventually. These are just to give you a taster. And to see the full map, you'll have to come here!
NB. The abbreviation m.a.s.l (metres above sea level) is used throughout.
Cycle up the hill from Casa Lunga (568m.a.s.l.) to Agra. At the top of the hill, turn left and head for the “Giro del Sole”, just to warm up. After about 3 km, in “Gana,” turn left and enter the “Giro della Luna.”
After the first km of descent, through beech and sweet chestnut woodland, you come to Campagnette.
Follow the asphalted road right for about 200m, then take the old road to Curiglia. This will bring you to the “Agriturismo” called Roccolo after about 4km. They serve excellent food here, and you can sit under the old pear tree and enjoy the beautiful view...!
Now that you've warmed up a little, the real biking starts...
Take the path leading to “Kedo.” Narrow, winding, and stony, which will put your balance to the test. Once at the top, continue by crossing the field at “Pradeccolo”. Turn right, descend about 200m, and then take the dirt road to the left.
After about 1km, cross the small stream, and cycle up as far as “Prato Bernardo”.
Once you've crossed the field past the stone-walled huts, take the track which leads to “Profontana”, a hillside on the Italo-swiss border, where you can take a short break to admire the view.
Once you've rested, turn your bike around and go back 50m, towards “Pradeccolo”. Take the shady level path with stunning single-track and technically-difficult passages. When you reach the asphalted road, you are in Pradeccolo.
From here, take the dirt road leading to the Alpone, and then the path to the top of Monte Lema (1550m.a.s.l.).
You are now in Switzerland. A steep descent through meadows and beaten track, until you reach the “Cima Pianca” in the municipality of Novaggio (CH).
Turn right and take the route towards “Astano” (CH). Head back to Italy, towards the little church of San Trezzo just outside Trezzino, and descend to Dumenza, from where you can find your way back to your starting point in Agra.
Summary of itinerary:
height difference: 1000m
Maximum altitude: 1550 m
Starting/arrival altitude: 568m
Cycling distance: 32 km
Difficulty: medium
Leaving Casa Lunga, cycle up to Agra, to Piazza Pasquinelli. At the bar, turn right and carry on until you reach the Cinque Vie. At the crossing, turn left along the paved road towards Curiglia. From there, head towards the Monteviasco funicular. About 20m before you reach it, turn left up into a dirt road. Cross the stream, and up towards Veddasca and Lozzo for about 4km. Lots of interesting slopes!
When you reach the tarmacked road, turn right towards Biegno. About 2km on, just before the I-CH customs post, turn left and take the road leading towards Cangilli.
When you reach a fork in the road, keep to the right until you reach Monterecchio.
Time to cool down by the fountain before you tackle the peak...
Now cycle to the top of the hamlet, and, keeping left, take the path that leads to Monte Paglione. After the first stretch, reasonably rideable, you will reach a fork in the road: take the steeper track on the right. Time to carry the bike for about 200m until the way is pedal-able once again. From there it becomes increasingly easy, even to the extent that it eventually flattens out.
Continue until you reach a mountainous landscape: the peak of Monte Paglione (1554 m.a.s.l).
A short break to admire the view, turn the bikes around to reach the peak of Monte Covreto (1594 m.a.s.l), in Switzerland, from where the view is even more spectacular than the previous one.
Time to descend. Go left, facing the lake, down an exceedingly steep and technically difficult incline, until you reach “Pian della Rogna”. Keep left, and you will get to Nove Fontane. From here to the Forcora where you will be able to rest a little.
After a huge meal of polenta and venison, descend along the scenic road towards Lake Delio.
At the second hairpin turn, go straight ahead and take the path to Graglio. Once there, turn right by the big fountain and take the Val Veddasca mule track until you cross the village of Cadero. From here you take the road to Maccagno. After the Giona bridge, you will see a post office. Keeping the post office to your right, follow the road until you reach another one which leads to Monte Venere (in front of the Centro Anziani).
Keep left, and take the track towards the Campagnette. When you reach the asphalted road, go up until you reach Agra.
Summary of itinerary:
height difference: 1394m
Maximum altitude: 1600 m
Starting/arrival altitude: 568m
Cycling distance: 45.2 km
Difficulty: medium
Yes, that's right folks. The 2008 World Cycling Championships is taking place in this region. And before that, it's the Tre Valli Varesine...
It's no coincidence that a few years ago this area was part of the route for the Giro d'Italia. Why? Because both cyclists and mountain bikers will find roads and routes enough to challenge and enjoy, the scenery is stunning, and there is enough variety to satisfy the most ardent champion.
This site Ciclismo has a list of forthcoming races, with routes. But you'll need to understand Italian to make best use of it (the site claims to be available in English as well, but not this page). If you know of any similar sites which are ACTUALLY written in English, please contact us and let us know!
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