Passo Salmurano

A fairly challenging all-mountain ride, especially due to the numerous sections where you have to push or carry your bike in the upper section. The route climbs toward the Piani dell'Avaro and continues at high elevation toward Passo Salmurano, before tackling the long descent toward Ornica. It’s a scenic and interesting route, but personally, it’s not one of the ones that has thrilled me the most in the area: the long traverse toward Salmurano is hard to ride, and the first part of the descent is quite rough, making it less smooth and enjoyable compared to other routes in the Orobie Alps.

Ascent to Piani dell’Avaro

The climb up to Piani dell’Avaro is on asphalt.

Once you reach Piani, in front of Ristorobie, there’s a water fountain where I recommend stocking up on water before continuing.

From here, you leave the paved road and continue first on concrete and then on a dirt trail.

The rideable climb is generally easy, though there are a few sections that are quite challenging for a muscle-powered MTB.

You’ll stay in the saddle until you reach an elevation of approximately 1,850 meters.

Upper Section: Pushing and Portage

From this point on, the nature of the ride changes dramatically.

You’ll need to account for about 200 meters of elevation gain involving pushing and carrying your bike, interspersed only with a few short sections where you can ride again.

Even on an e-MTB, this section should not be underestimated: the challenge lies not only in the steepness but also in the trail conditions and the lack of continuity, which make it difficult to stay in the saddle.

If you wish, you can extend the route by passing through the beautiful Ponteranica Lakes and continuing toward the Passo Triomen area.

Crossing toward Passo Salmurano

You then continue toward Passo Salmurano.

This is probably the least rideable section of the loop.

The route runs along the hillside and features many sections where you’ll have to push your bike, with a few short stretches where you can ride again.

In some places, you’ll also need to be mindful ofthe exposure.

It’s not necessarily an extreme traverse, but carrying your bike—especially a heavy e-MTB—requires concentration and some experience navigating mountain trails.

Those looking for a route that’s almost entirely rideable should therefore keep in mind that this trail doesn’t fall into that category.

Salmurano Pass - Ornica

Once you finally reach the Salmurano Pass, the descent begins.

The first part is mostly S3, on a very rocky and rutted trail.

Technically, it’s interesting, but personally, I didn’t find it particularly smooth: the terrain forces you to work hard with the bike and makes it difficult to find a steady rhythm.

It’s not so much the presence of individual extreme sections that defines it, but rather the rough, physically demanding terrain.

Those who love natural, very rough descents might appreciate it more; those looking for flow will likely enjoy it less.

Toward Colle della Maddalena

As you lose elevation, the descent gradually becomes more enjoyable.

You’ll first tackle an easy, relaxed stretch with a few short climbs before entering the final section.

Here, the trail finally becomes easier and smoother.

The last 300 meters or so of elevation drop are mostly S2, with a smoother and faster ride than the upper section.

You then continue toward Ornica, completing the most enjoyable part of the return trip.

Difficulty: What to Really Expect

This ride should be evaluated primarily based on the amount of terrain covered out of the saddle.

The climb up to about 1,850 meters is largely rideable and isn’t the main challenge.

After that, you’ll need to factor in about 200 meters of elevation gain for pushing/carrying your bike and a long connecting stretch toward Passo Salmurano, which remains difficult to ride even on an e-MTB.

The traverse also features some exposed sections where you’ll need to proceed with caution while walking your bike.

The descent from Salmurano is mostly S3—very rough and physically demanding, but without any continuous S4 sections. As you lose elevation, the trail gradually improves until the final S2 section, which is decidedly smoother.

It is therefore a ride to choose primarily for the route and the surroundings, rather than for a long, particularly smooth descent.

Technical Details

Trail Style: AM

Duration: about 5 hours

MTB: Yes

E-MTB: Yes, but with several sections where you’ll have to push

Rideability: Good on the first climb, significantly worse in the upper section

Walking/carrying: about 200 m of elevation gain plus several sections that are difficult to ride on the traverse toward Salmurano

Rideable climb difficulty: generally moderate, with some challenging sections

Traverse toward Salmurano: difficult to ride and exposed in places

Salmurano–Ornica Pass: Mostly S3, rocky and very rough

Final section: approximately S2, more flowing and smooth

Maximum difficulty: S3

Exposure: present in some sections of the traverse toward Salmurano

Drainage: Good

Water sources: Piani dell’Avaro

Views: 8/10

Descents: 7/10

Physical effort: Medium-high

Weak point: A lot of time out of the saddle relative to the quality of the descent