Monte Alben (versione cicloalpinistica)

In this Cycloalpine version we go to on the spectacular trails of Mount Alben. Start from Cornalba, we continue towards Serina and Valpiana on asphalt, then we deviate on gravel road with 80 meters quite steep in places, continue to Pian della Palla and to follow on path not always rideable (in mtb) until the path that descends from Passo del Sappli. Bike on the shoulder and in 150 meters we are at the Pass from which we will continue on beautiful, mostly rideable trail to the Alben Refuge.

Again Bike on the shoulder and in 450m we climb to the summit of Mount Alben, from which we can admire the 360° panorama

To descend we retrace the same path as the ascent. This is a beautiful S4 trail with a few S5 passages and no particular exposures.

Definitely avoid thinking of doing the high ridge from the Brassamonti Pass to the Alben (it is all on the shoulder with narrow and ultra-uncomfortable passages). (Optional) From the refuge if we still have some we can climb 250 meters with the bike on the shoulder to the gallows (Brassamonti Pass). The trail is less uncomfortable than the one going up to Alben and by emtb we ride a few sections. We leave the bike at the pass and and continue on foot for about 150 meters to the summit of Cima della Croce (the trail has downhill rideability practically close to zero). We then descend to the Alben hut from nice trail S3. We then descend by technical descent S4 to Cornalba

Ascent variants

By emtb it is more comfortable to climb from Cornalba by this trail.

In mtb climb from Serina this track.

Descent variants

Easy descent S2 from Sappli pass this track.

Technical descent S4 from Sappli pass this track.

Trail style: all mountain

Personal Rating: Panoramas 9/10; Descents 9/10

MTB: Yes

EMTB: Not recommended because of the long portage

Duration about 7h (by mtb)

Portage: +1000m

Difficulty ascent: at times challenging in mtb

Difficulty descent: Almost all S3/S4

Exposed: a few sections

Draining: YES

Water points: Alben Refuge

Full video of the descent from the summit