マッツォ・ディ・ヴァルテリーナの天然記念物・トップ16

A very tough climb from any side you choose to do it.

Whichever side you pedal, the pass is always a spectacle of nature…

A challenge against oneself

The Visconti castle and the nearby Rupe Magna are an attraction worth visiting if you pass through Grosio. You can get there easily from a path that passes through the gorge just to the north and there are several benches for stopping and enjoying the view. Guided tours are available on certain days and times for both the castle and Rupe Magna (a gigantic rock full of prehistoric rock carvings). They are also the halfway point of the Sentiero dei Castelli.

It starts from Trivigno, above Aprica. The ascent is easy and offers a broad panorama: from Valtellina to Lake Poschiavo, passing through the Adamello and Orobie mountains. Sunrise and sunset are spectacular.

Cima Rovaia offers an extraordinary view of all the mountains of the upper Camonica Valley: from the very close Mattaciul, to Baitone, Aviolo, Pagano, the Cime di Grom, the Tremoncelli, the Pietra Rossa Group and the Corno del Tirlo. The path to reach this peak from Vezza d'Oglio is an ancient military route from the Great War. While quite steep, it is technically simple. To reach the real top, you need to overcome some boulders. Around the top is a stone entrenchment and an open-air museum with information panels.

The Mortirolo is one of the most loved and feared passes by those who cycle in northern Italy. Located in Lombardy, it connects the towns of Mazzo, Tovo Sant'Agata, Edolo and Monno, thus uniting Valtellina with Val Camonica. The slopes, especially on the Mazzo and Tovo slopes, are very challenging. On these ramps Marco Pantani, in 1994, accomplished one of his most memorable feats: a statue is dedicated to him towards the middle of the Mazzo slope.

The Mortirolo is one of the most loved passes by Italian cyclists. Located in Lombardy, it connects the towns of Mazzo and Monno, thus joining Valtellina to Val Camonica. The slopes, especially on the Mazzo side, are very demanding: in 1994 Marco Pantani accomplished one of his most memorable feats on these ramps.