In northern Lombardy and stretching out along the Swiss border, you’ll find Valtellina—and more specifically, the province of Sondrio, a region with infinite possibilities for outdoorsy folk, sports lovers, and, above all, cyclists.
For anyone looking for their next bike destination, Valtellina has the full package with hundreds of kilometres to suit all types of riders. These include the flat, family-friendly, 114 km traffic-free Sentiero Valtellina bike path that connects Lake Como to Bormio, as well as the Ciclabile Valchiavenna, a 42 km traffic-free bike path that brought home third place in the Italian Green Road Awards 2022.
Elsewhere, there are mythical road climbs like the Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo (plus many more besides) that have shaped the history of cycling, and designated routes for MTBs and eMTBs that wind through unspoilt, rugged nature in both the Rhaetian Alps and the Orobic Alps.
Ranging from mellow, easy jaunts to more testing, technical rides, and spanning the entire valley from Madesimo to Livigno, Valmalenco to Bormio via Aprica, getting out on two wheels is key to experiencing Valtellina at its most glorious and authentic. Think panoramic mountain views and luscious scenery. Come autumn, as the colours pop fiercely into vibrant oranges and reds, there’s no better time to do a Wine Bike Tour and take a spin through Valtellina’s winemaking scene.
Cycling and delicacies
During your cycling holiday, make a stop at the shelters, farms and restaurants in the area to taste the typical products: the Bresaola della Valtellina, rich in protein and low in fat (ideal for sportsmen), the famous DOP cheeses such as Valtellina Casera and Bitto to the unmissable Valtellina’s pizzoccheri, ideal with a glass of Valtellina Superiore or Sfursat, both DOCG and symbols of the local wine tradition.