Anello Biscia Varese Bocco di Bargone

Challenging gravel route in Tigullio, all on asphalt or dirt.

Departure is from Lavagna, follow the slate bike path and then enter Val Graveglia on asphalt, reach Conscenti and then Pian di Fieno. Here you take a right and reach, still on asphalt, Nascio and then Cassagna, where the dirt road begins. Here the view begins to open up and you can see the valley below. This brings you to Statale where you take a right and continue climbing until you reach the Santa Rita plant, take a left and after a while the dirt road begins that leads to the Biscia pass. At the pass take the second dirt road on the right, which leads into the Vara valley. At the end of the long dirt road, take a left on asphalt toward Valletti and then left again to reach the asphalt road that descends from the Biscia and leads to Varese Ligure. Past Varese Ligure you continue toward San Pietro Vara, but before you get there you turn right for Cembrano/Ossegna Past Campore and Maissana as well you turn right for Disconesi. Before arriving in the hamlet one climbs on the right toward Bocco di Bargone. The first piece on asphalt is full of hairpin bends and steep, after which the dirt road begins and gradient decreases. When you reach the pass you will find the view of the sea again, take the left slightly uphill, at the junction for the mines take the dirt road downhill to the right and after a while there is a viewpoint on the right.

On the right you can see Mount Tregin, on the left Sestri Levante and its peninsula.

You start again downhill on a dirt road and arrive at Bargone, here the asphalt road begins again and leads to Bargonasco. You descend toward Casarza Ligure and then Sestri Levante, where you comfortably follow the Aurelia to return to the starting point.

You can refuel with water in Nascio and in Varese Ligure, right by the castle in the center there is a drinking fountain. Varese is also the best place to refuel, with a bar stop or otherwise. A final water point is present in Bargone, in the town square.

The 4 stars of difficulty are given solely by the length and elevation gain; I did this ride with a full mtb and wished for a gravel.