Piglione Sud e Monte Croce

Definitely mountaineering cycle tour with a good dose of bike on the back to reach the peaks of Piglione (south peak) and Mount Croce famous for the flowering of daffodils in the spring period in mid-April.

Having parked the car in Pascoso we immediately set off uphill in the direction of Passo Sella but a few meters before we get there we take the road to the right that in a little more than twenty minutes takes us to the Di Groppa locality. From here instead of continuing on path 103 we follow a steep but rideable tractor-trail that turns into a trail at about elevation 960 where the cycling alternates with pushing and shouldering sections until it rejoins the ridge trail to the South summit. Reaching the summit we decide to reach the saddle but not to reach the North given the onset of many clouds that would envelop us and prevent us from enjoying the view and since the ride will be challenging saving energy for the continuation.

Descending to the Parte we reach the Termine via ridge and then reach the high Matanna and down a few hundred meters we take CAI 3 to Palagnana. The path is very dirty in the initial part but very pleasant in the second. Arrived at Cerro via CAI 8 we walk to the mouth of the Porchette or Palagnana alternating between pedaling and pushing. At the mouth we refresh ourselves before tackling the surely most challenging stretch of the day. Ready to go on CAI 108 we tackle the EE section of the Scalette to reach the Fonte del Pallino to abandon it at about elevation 1120 where the ascent to the summit of the Croce awaits us,150 meters of backpacking bike with a strong constant gradient. From the summit the predominant view is of the Panie group, which today is hiding in the clouds peeping out from time to time.

After so much fatigue we relax a little before facing the descent that will take us to Case di Pioppo where, since there are not many off-road alternatives, we reach the car by comfortable asphalt.