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DeutschMonte Tamaro MTB
The famous tour of Mount Tamaro is a great classic of the Sottoceneri in Canton Ticino.
The best way to do it is to buy a cable car ride. The cable car is open from Easter to early November. Watch out that there is usually snow on the north side until late June. When the leaf begins to fall parts of the trail can get tricky.
For masochists, there is a rather steep road from Monteceneri to Alpe Foppa, where the cable car arrives, after 1,000 meters of decent suffering.
The problem is that the toughest part of the climb comes at the end, with 300 meters of steep and rocky elevation gain. With good leg and technique they all pedal, to arrive at the Monte Tamaro Hut and indulge in one of the good homemade cakes watered down by a super thirst-quenching elderflower juice, also homemade.
The descent is not for beginners or those suffering from vertigo, as the initial traverse is exposed, rocky and with technical sections not for everyone.
The same goes for the first 4 hairpin bends downhill. Only once past these difficulties does the trail become smoother and easier.
Miles and miles of rooty forest floor bring us to the Bassa, where we change sides and begin a trail that seems to have been built for bikes, but it is all natural. Here, too, it is all done in the saddle but only if you have a decent riding tennic.
Thus we arrive in Arosio and climb briefly to Grotto Sgambada (possibility of refreshment).
The descent to above Bosco Luganese is in theory easy, but summer storms have devastated several passages, so watch out.
The part from Bosco Luganese to Gravesano has always been rocky and technical, but it is fun because you have to look for lines.
From Bosco Luganese you return to the free parking lot near Taverne. You can also park at the Monte Tamaro cable car, but there is a fee. The trail for the piece from Taverne to Rivera can be found here (very easy, it is along the Vedeggio River).
I am not posting photos because Stefano and I shot a video on this very ride:
