Quattro 3000

Tour dedicated to all mountain cyclists who like portages and extreme passages.

Start from the IV Stelvio Cantoniera House, where there is the junction with the Umbrail Pass, three kilometers from the Stelvio Pass, this first section is on asphalt very busy especially in the summer months. Once you reach the Stelvio Pass turn right and take the dirt road, very steep in places, that leads to the ski lifts, once you reach the Platigliole Pass (2908 mt) take the path that goes up to the Scorluzzo, you will have to shoulder your bike, once you reach the top you will have a stunning 360 degree view. The descent will be on the same trail you did on the way up, very technical and on loose ground, great fun.

Once you get to Passo delle Platigliole again, take off your protections and resume the ascent on the dirt road, which from here on will not be as steep as in the initial stretch, in a short time it will take you to the foot of the Livrio glacier. Return to the Stelvio Pass now go to the other side, climb a short section of very steep dirt road up to the Garibaldi refuge, on Swiss soil, be careful because from here the path is forbidden to bicycles, you can baipass this problem by taking the path a little higher that will take you on a traverse, here you have to push the bike, this segment is very exposed and dangerous in places.

Once the traverse is over, bike on your back and proceed to Piz Cotschen or also called Punta Rossa. The summit of this mountain is separated by a small gully that is quite dangerous to do with the bike on your shoulders, so you can safely climb to the peak that precedes the actual summit. Put on your protections again and retrace your steps, another descent that seems to be a photocopy of the previous one made by the Scorluzzo, steep, technical, on the smosso, and sensational. Repeat the traverse carefully pushing the bike and once you are still near the Garibaldi refuge take the path that will bring you back to where you had left the car, these days (August 2023) they are doing maintenance of the path and unfortunately it is not passable, alternatively you will have to use the hated bitumen.

Take off the protections and just behind the Swiss customs house start the ascent to Piz Umbrail, path not rideable, for two-thirds initial you push and then instead in the last stretch you have to climb with chains on passages also quite dangerous, be careful and proceed with caution. From the summit you take in the direction of Punta di Rims, unfortunately this whole section is very unfeasible with your feet on the pedals, there are several passages also on small rocks, on the other hand you will have breathtaking views, on one side the Stelvio pass with the glaciers, on the other side the Rims lake just below the lunar valley you are going through.

From the Rims Peak descend to the ruins of the World War I alpine barracks and with a short climb go to Bocchetta di Forcola, from here on the trail will be a flow up and down and in a short time you will be at your car.

In conclusion, tour with resounding views, challenging but not extreme, needs however all mountain skills of a certain level, absolutely not recommended for beginners.