DATASHEET:
Cycle path 0%
Paved road 45%
Paved/gravel road 7%
White/steep road 27%.
Mule track 4%
Footpath 17
Route style: CROSS COUNTRY
Hiking period: ALL YEAR ROUND
Coordinates Start/finish point: N45 47.295 E9 58.898
Maximum altitude: 1380 m Monte Grione
Positive height difference: 1500 m
Distance covered: 27.8 km
Walking time: half a day
Technical difficulty: 2 out of 5
Physical effort: 3 out of 5
100% cyclability on ascent
98% cyclability on descent
e-bike: NO
B&B and/or numerous support points along the route: refuges; water sources in Ranzanico
ENDINE – MONTICELLI – MONTE GRIONE – SOVERE
A wide-ranging ring route, with views over the Val Cavallina and Lake Endine to Lake Iseo and over the Bossico plateau to the entire Val Borlezza and Presolana. The proposal does not present any particular technical difficulties, even if it is only necessary to push along the ridge line for short stretches. The proposal can be divided into four sections. A long ascent on asphalt, from Endine to Prati del Sole, using secondary roads with little or no traffic. A diagonal along a dirt road, from Prati del Sole to Monte Grione, is beautiful and scenic, interspersed with short, intense breaks on a cemented surface.
An endless, wild little ridge trail that, without any particular technical difficulties and with a few push-ups and downs, descends to Possimo and Sovere. A return halfway up the mountainside with continuous ups and downs, using dirt roads, mule tracks, paths, and stretches of asphalt roads free of traffic.
ITINERARY DESCRIPTION
From the Endine Cemetery car park (1) head towards the centre of the village and, having crossed the main road at the bottom of the valley, go up via Martiri della Libertà. At its end, continue along via della Repubblica. Already you begin to get panoramic views of the lake and the valley; turn right and start climbing along via Panoramica. Follow it in the direction of Ranzanico (2) and just past the church of San Bernardino, another suggestive panoramic point, turn right into via Luigi Cadorna. The first section is steep and decisive, then with long diagonals, you gain height amidst the woods that cover the entire slope and descend from Monticelli and the Sparavera to the lake. We pedal calmly to the Forcella di Ranzanico. The road is closed and traffic-free. The asphalt ascent has some steep but not extreme sections and surprising panoramic views of the lake and Val Cavallina, with the Colli di San Fermo massif rising on the opposite side. On reaching the Forcella you descend following the tarmac road in the direction of Peia. At an altitude of 890m you will rejoin the road that climbs from Peia; turn right and climb up to Prati del Sole (3). After a hard ramp with a concrete surface, the road becomes a dirt track and continues towards Monticelli – Malga Longa. Follow the dirt road, with the steepest sections paved in concrete, always following the signs for Malga Lunga. At Monticelli (4), the views open up both towards the lakes and towards Pizzo Formico and the Orobic peaks.
After a paved ramp, continue along a long mule track that cuts across the southern slopes of Monte Sparavera. At the junction for Botta Alta, leave the flat track and ascend to the left, still following the signs for Malga Lunga. The track is steep and will put you to the test. Beyond the Alpe Comunaglia farmstead (5), a concrete pavement will make it easier to pedal until you reach the ridge near the scenic puddle that looks out over the meadows. Continue along the dirt track to the right. With a few ups and downs, you move onto the northern slope of Monte Grione, among fir woods and clearings. At the end of a level stretch, you will come across a road that branches off to the right and climbs steeply into the woods: you must take it and follow it to the end, near two houses built in the woods on the summit of Monte Grione (6). When you reach the barrier of the second dwelling, go around it and cross the square at the back of the house, continuing, beyond the fence, on the opposite side, and following the little path (CAI trail sign 628) that faithfully follows the ridge. From here begins the long ridge that, with some short, steep counter-slopes, where you will be obliged to push, will lead you to the Croce di Grione (7). Take care not to lose the track, which, although poorly marked in some places, does not present any particular technical difficulties. From Croce di Grione, do not descend directly to Palate, but continue along the watershed in the direction of Possimo (CAI trail sign 563A). When you reach the meadows dotted with the Possimo huts (8), you will find yourself in a panoramic spot over the lakes and the Presolana massif. The track through the grass is less obvious: cut left onto a dirt road, near a farmstead. Follow the road until you take the main path to the right down to Sovere. Along the long cement road, given the village of Sovere (9), at the second hairpin bend you come to, i.e. the first to the left, take a path to the right that cuts across the wooded slope and descends. Before coming out into the meadow, do not descend towards the houses but, instead, turn right and follow the path that continues slightly uphill into the woods. After crossing a small valley, near a farmstead, descend along a dirt road, and at its end turn right and continue up and down along a wide mule track. When you reach the houses in Via Valle delle Fontane (10), do not descend, but continue halfway along a dirt road. Where this joins an asphalt road, turn right and go up it to the locality of Palate (11) (where the direct descent from Croce di Grione arrives). Continue further along a dirt road, following the CAI signs until you reach the locality of Fanovo (12). After the little church descend along an asphalted road until you return towards Endine and the starting point.
GPX TRACK- MTB ROUTE ON THE GRIONE RIDGE
Credits: bibliography “MTB from Bergamo to the Endine and Iseo Lakes” Versante Sud Editions
