DATASHEET:
Cycle track 5%
Paved road 61%
Paved/gravel road 0%
White road/ dirt road 6%
Mule track 6%
Footpath 22%
Route style: FREE RIDE
Period of riding: ALL YEAR ROUTE
Coordinates Start/finish point: N45 45.416 E9 55.165
Maximum altitude: 1070 m Prati del Sole
Positive altitude difference: 850 m
Distance covered: 17.6 km
Walking time: 2-3 hours
Technical difficulty: 3 out of 5
Physical effort: 2 out of 5
100% cyclable uphill
100% cyclable downhill
e-bike: YES
numerous refuges along the route; water sources in Ranzanico, spring in Bondo
SPINONE AL LAGO – RANZANICO – PRATI DEL SOLE – BIANZANO
A beautiful circular route (not to be missed!) that climbs to the classic Forcella di Ranzanico and that we propose to extend to Prati del Sole, and then descend exclusively on paths and mule tracks that lead back to the lakeshore. For the first part of the ascent, we propose a nice alternative route to the nearby provincial road up to Ranzanico. The second part is on an asphalt road with zero traffic, as it is closed and has transit restrictions. The descent, on the other hand, can be divided into three parts. The first part, panoramic, crosses the Prati del Sole and descends to the Forcella di Ranzanico. The second, wild, on a path with quite challenging sections, leads to Bianzano. The third runs along a beautiful paved mule track, with the singular name “Via degli Asini” (Donkey Road), which descends to the centre of Spinone.
ITINERARY DESCRIPTION
At the Castle of Monasterolo (1), a fortification located where Lake Endine gives rise to the River Cherio, near the arrival point of the Val Cavallina cycle path, your route begins. From Provincial Road SP 76, at the end of the built-up area, take Via dei Carpini until you reach the watercourse: turn right to go up it. Go past the barrier and continue along the dirt track until you come to a small bridge over the Cherio: cross it and, without continuing along the stream, climb up towards Spinone al Lago (2). Pay attention as you cross the main road at the bottom of the valley. Now go up via I° Maggio and then turn right into via XXV Aprile. Shortly afterwards turn left and follow the pedestrian walkway along a ditch until you come to Via alla Fonte, where you turn right. Pass by the Fonti San Carlo Spinone and, with short diversions via del Tuf, you can climb up to the Sorgente Spinosa. Otherwise, proceed towards the town centre and cross it, continuing along Via Armando Diaz, until you turn left into Via Spineda, which turns into a path at its end. Follow the path that proceeds halfway up the hill for more than 1.5 km.
You will pedal smoothly for most of the track, except for small, short tears. Follow the main track without leaving until you come to the provincial road that climbs to Ranzanico (3). Follow it to the centre of the village where, from the small square behind the town hall, turn right into via Silvio Pellico, which you follow until you take the steep via Diaz that branches off to the left. This last road joins a hairpin bend of the regulated traffic road, which you will follow as far as Forcella di Ranzanico (4). The asphalt ascent has some steep but not extreme stretches and surprising panoramic views of the lake and Val Cavallina, with the Colli di San Fermo massif rising on the opposite side. When you reach the Forcella, you cross the descent path and thus have the option of avoiding the ascent to the Prati del Sole. We recommend that you also do this last effort because of the beauty of the places you will cross. Then, from the Forcella, descend following the asphalt road in the direction of Peia. At an altitude of 890 m you join the road that climbs from Peia: turn right and climb up to Prati del Sole (5). After a hard ramp with a concrete surface, the road becomes a dirt road and continues towards Monticelli, where you cross CAI trail marker 513 and the descent begins. Turn right and follow the CAI sign descending in the direction of Forcella di Ranzanico: follow a dirt road that crosses meadows and pastures, passing near some farmsteads. Following the signpost, leave the road and take a path on the left that leads back to the Forcella. From here, descend for a few metres to the left along the tarmac road, and immediately to the right take the path to Ranzanico (CAI signpost 618). Descend for a few metres and leave it, continuing to the right and following the signs for the Sorgente di Bondo (6). The path runs diagonally without any particular difficulty. In the spring, cross the small valley and continue downhill; the first section is steep. Avoid the detours to the left and continue along the path, which becomes increasingly narrow and wild, but beautiful. You will encounter a steep section with narrow hairpin bends and very technical passages and then some sections on gravel and loose surfaces.
The long diagonal ends on a cemented road at Piazza del Vento (7). Now ride through the characteristic village of Bianzano (8), passing near the Parish Church of San Rocco and Suardi Castle. At the foot of the castle, having crossed the provincial road, follow the CAI 605 signpost and take the paved mule track known as “Via degli Asini”, the old road connecting Bianzano and Spinone. Initially, the mule track is wide and carriageable, but it soon narrows and continues its descent through woods and meadows with a nice track and a well-maintained surface. The descent ends in the centre of Spinone al Lago (9). Cross it on your way down to the lake (via Diaz, via Verdi, and via dei Panni). At the lakeside, turn right and follow the footpath towards the small bridge over the Cherio and the Castle of Monasterolo, beyond which you return to the starting point.
GPX TRACK – MTB ROUTE ON THE DONKEY ROAD
Credits: bibliography “MTB from Bergamo to the Endine and Iseo Lakes” Versante Sud Editions
