Rifugio Tagliaferri Original
Original variant for one of the most epic cycle-mountaineering tours in the Orobie. The original trail for the passes to get to the Tagliaferri hut from the passes is back "workable"! Note that I put the quotation marks. In fact, they made a variant that bypasses the landslide that had made it impassable. However, I recommend following this trail only if you have no problems with exposure, passages with chains and if you can be two to pass your bikes. If you do not have these possibilities or are on emtb I recommend following the Demignone or Belviso variant.
Today I take you to one of the most beautiful descents and valleys in the Bergamasque region. We are in Val di Scalve, here time seems to have stopped and the landscapes are little invaded by human beings. We are talking about the Tagliaferri, perhaps what is one of the most famous descents in the area (1200 meters of elevation gain for 10km!). Departing from Schilpario (in Ronco you have to pay with the app), you climb on a comfortable asphalt ascent to the Vivione pass. Here begins the real climb that will take you to the Passo del Gatto, which at the moment remains partly rideable but from 2025 they are working with a scraper and expect it will become fully rideable even by MTB up to the Passo del Venerocolo (so goodbye descent from the Passo del Gatto).
From the pass begins a descent on a trail that is never too narrow and not too technical, but watch out for exposed spots.
Small climb to Venerocolo Pass, AND the traverse to Tagliaferri begins, first ascent with a few passages with chains to Demignone Pass, followed by a long traverse with sections that you would want to ride but too exposed to risk. More passages with chains and a megascenic bridge. Arriving at the junction of the landslide trail detour begins the more complicated part where you need to pass your bike in a couple of passages. Past this point an easy S2 descent begins. To then resume a last traverse less exposed but still to be done carefully to the Tagliaferri refuge. Passing the Vo pass megavista on Belviso Lake.
After a nice plate of pasta and the ritual photos we get ready for the mythical descent. First 100 meters or so with not particularly exposed but a little complicated hand passages with chains. Finished the last headache begins the real descent all to enjoy in a mountain environment not very exposed with easy and not so easy passages, technical cuts, flow, rock garden and so on and so forth, which gradually increases in smoothness to end with a final faster path with various rocks and roots. The trail closes 100 meters below the starting point, tired but with a huge smile and a beautiful memory!
Trail Style: All mountain
Personal Rating: Views 10/10; Descents 10/10
MTB: Yes
EMTB: Not recommended
Duration about 11h (by mtb)
Portage: very
Difficulty climb: Easy up to Vivione then very challenging
Difficulty descent: Average S3/S2
Exposed: Very
Draining: YES
Water points: See description





