Val Bondione

Extremely challenging, cycle mountaineering tour with exaggerated views. Short variant of this ride Climb to Curò, then to Bondione pass to descend from Bondione valley. Start from Valbondione, where shortly after the road becomes a fairly challenging dirt road in mtb. At an elevation of 1400 meters the climb becomes too steep and rocky to be pedaled in mtb, while in Emtb you pedal to the refuge at an elevation of 1900 meters.

At the refuge, (water point) continue on easy pedalable trail to the junction for Val Cerviera, from here it is 200 meters on the shoulder and about 100 pedalable to the junction for the Val Cerviera lakes

We continue on the optional stage that in about 100 meters almost all pedalable allows us to reach the lakes of Val Cerviera (2320 meters), set in the fantastic valley of Treconfini and Recastello, in the lakes is reflected the King of the Orobie (Pizzo Coca). We turn back at the junction to divert to the Bondione Pass (2250 meters). There would be a path up from the lakes avoiding going back but it was too high on the ridge and I preferred to take a safer route. This is followed by 250 meters on the shoulder on a manageable trail and another 100 on very vertical and challenging scree. At the pass below Alice's Peak (2600 meters) we climb over on a less steep and easily manageable trail to Bondione Pass.

From here the views are fantastic but I recommend continuing on foot on an experienced hiker's trail to Treconfini Peak at 2800 meters

We retrace our steps, and at this point we can descend directly to Lizzola from the Bondione valley, technical descent S4 not always continuous (must like it), arrived in Lizzola we continue following the trail to then descend by the last fantastic descent of the coalmen (S3), all hairpin bend on pine needles bottom. We finally arrive in the valley (water point near the parking lot) to return to the car by comfortable road slightly downhill.

Personal rating: views 10/10; descents 9/10

MTB: yes

EMTB: not recommended (although I did it with a 20Kg light)

Elevation gain: 2000m D+ +200m if you hike up to Treconfini

Duration: about 9h

Exposed: nothing in particular downhill, uphill many sections of those on the shoulder

Draining: it would seem so

Water points: Valbondione, Rif. Curò, Various streams,