ENDINE – MONTICELLI – MOUNT GRIONE – SOVERE
This loop tour offers expansive views over Val Cavallina and Lake Endine, extending to Lake Iseo, the Bossico plateau, and as far as Val Borlezza and the Presolana massif. The route does not present significant technical challenges, though there are short stretches along the ridge where pushing the bike is necessary.
The itinerary can be divided into four sections:
Return via Hillside Trails
The final section leads back to the starting point through a mix of dirt roads, mule tracks, and paths, interspersed with stretches of traffic-free asphalt. The terrain features continuous ups and downs, providing a varied and engaging conclusion to the tour.
Ascent to Prati del Sole
The first section is a long, steady ascent on asphalt roads, starting from Endine and climbing to Prati del Sole. This segment follows secondary roads with little to no traffic, making it a pleasant and peaceful climb.
Diagonal to Mount Grione
The second section takes you along a scenic dirt road that runs diagonally from Prati del Sole to Mount Grione. The route is interspersed with short but intense climbs on cemented surfaces, offering beautiful views throughout.
Ridge Trail to Possimo and Sovere
The third section follows a seemingly endless ridge trail. This wild and captivating path descends toward Possimo and Sovere without significant technical difficulties. While there are some counter-slopes requiring brief pushing, the trail is overall manageable and rewarding.
ITINERARY DESCRIPTION
From the car park at the Endine cemetery (1), head towards the center of the village. After crossing the main road at the bottom of the valley, ascend via Martiri della Libertà. Continue along via della Repubblica, where panoramic views of the lake and valley begin to emerge. Turn right onto via Panoramica and follow it toward Ranzanico (2). Just past the San Bernardino Church, another scenic viewpoint, turn right onto via Luigi Cadorna.
The initial stretch of via Luigi Cadorna is steep, but it soon transitions to gentler gradients with long diagonals that wind through the woods descending from Monticelli and Sparavera toward the lake. Pedal steadily to reach the Forcella di Ranzanico, a closed, traffic-free road. The climb is steep in sections but rewards you with spectacular views of Lake Endine, Val Cavallina, and the Colli di San Fermo massif on the opposite side.
At the Forcella, descend on the asphalt road toward Peia. At an altitude of 890 m, you will rejoin the road climbing from Peia; turn right and ascend to Prati del Sole (3). After a steep concrete ramp, the road turns into a dirt track leading to Monticelli – Malga Longa. Follow the track, noting that the steepest sections are paved with concrete. Always follow the signs for Malga Lunga.
At Monticelli (4), expansive views open up toward the lakes and the Pizzo Formico and Orobic peaks. Continue past a paved ramp onto a long mule track traversing the southern slopes of Mount Sparavera. At the junction for Botta Alta, leave the flat track and ascend left, still following signs for Malga Lunga. This steep dirt track leads to Alpe Comunaglia farmstead (5). Here, concrete pavement eases the ascent to the ridge, marked by a scenic puddle overlooking the meadows.
Follow the dirt track to the right, navigating some ups and downs as you move onto the northern slope of Mount Grione among fir woods and clearings. At the end of a flat stretch, take a steep dirt road branching to the right, climbing through the woods to two dwellings near the summit of Mount Grione (6).
Pass the second house, circle around it, and cross the square at its rear. Continue past the fence on the opposite side, taking the CAI 628 trail, which follows the ridge. The ridge offers a long, rewarding trail, punctuated by short, steep counter-slopes that may require pushing. The trail is not always well-marked but remains technically manageable. It leads to the Croce di Grione (7).
From Croce di Grione, avoid descending directly to Palate. Instead, follow the watershed toward Possimo (CAI trail sign 563A). Upon reaching the Possimo huts (8), you will find a panoramic spot overlooking the lakes and the Presolana massif. Follow the road and take the main path descending to Sovere.
As you descend the long cement road into Sovere (9), turn right at the second hairpin bend (the first to the left). This path cuts through the wooded slope and descends toward a meadow. Avoid descending to the houses; instead, turn right and follow the trail slightly uphill into the forest. After crossing a small valley near a farmstead, descend along a dirt road.
At the end of the dirt road, turn right and climb a wide mule track. Upon reaching the houses on via Valle delle Fontane (10), continue along a dirt road at mid-slope rather than descending. When the dirt road meets an asphalt road, turn right and climb to the hamlet of Palate (11).
From Palate, continue on a dirt road following CAI signs to Fanovo (12). After passing the small church in Fanovo, descend along an asphalt road, returning to Endine (1) and your starting point.
GPX TRACK- MTB ROUTE ON THE GRIONE RIDGE
Credits: bibliography “MTB from Bergamo to the Endine and Iseo Lakes” Versante Sud Editions
