Monte Crestoso dal versante valtrumplino

On the ridges of Crestoso. Very nice and particular AM / cycle-mountaineering tour on this splendid rocky mountain where you can admire the most grandiose and varied panorama of the Brescian Pre-Alps (from Adamello to the Po Valley, from Bernina to Lake Garda, from Orobie to Monte Baldo, from Monterosa and Cervino to Maddalena and Guglielmo.

Rather challenging climb, very pedaled with wild shoulder section to reach ridges. Long descent, first part on magnificent ridge very scenic, then a short exposed section, then long sections on ridge also below in the woods, in the end guided, all fun (max S3, maybe some S4 passages).

I started from Collio Val Trompia, m 800 (large parking lot on the right towards the end of the village) but it would be more logical to start in Bovegno at 650 meters (parking lot on the right before entering the village) to avoid going up the provincial road at the end of the descent. It is also possible to ascend, again from Bovegno, via Graticelle to rejoin the itinerary at elevation 1250. I like the climb better this way, as per the trail.

From the center of Collio you reach the hamlet of Memmo and continue to climb on asphalt (via Fisle) until near the locality of Staboi, among meadows and farmsteads, at an altitude of 1260, where the dirt road begins. Skirting the Mericolo you pass near Malga Croce and malga Sarle, at meters 1540. Here begins a more challenging stretch of small road that leads to Poffe di Stabil Fiorito, 1917 meters. Now go up the beautiful trail (you pedal in sections) 358 that leads to Foppa del Mercato.

Shortly reaching a wide shoulder with some rock formations you leave the trail by climbing up the grassy ridge without obvious trail, in places steeply shouldering the bike until you reach the ridge. Follow it to the right to reach the summit (large stone cairn topped by small cross, 2207 meters.

The descent begins by following the wonderful rocky ridge eastward. At the end of this a steep section leads onto a wide saddle. Continue straight on to the nearby Seven Crosses pass, where seven small crosses, whose origin is shrouded in mystery and legend, are lined up above a drystone wall. Turning right, you descend along path 341 (exposed section), which passes through a narrow gap from the rocky Dosso della Croce, where another mysterious small cross is placed.

Past a very scurvy section between the rocks the ridge becomes wide and grassy, the trail now descending straight ending near the Croce and Sarle huts, 1540 meters.

Skirting the Mericolo again we descend back down the ascent path to the hairpin bend, where turning left we take a wide grassy path leading to a hunting lodge. You follow it for a few dozen meters until you spot on the left the path that runs along the ridge entering the woods. Crossing a small road you follow it to the right with a short ascent continuing in a traverse at an altitude of about 1000 meters until you reach a fork. Turning sharply left, follow the small road for 50-100 meters where a fun trail begins on the right that still follows a ridge, ending at an altitude of 700 meters. Taking via Castive, one soon arrives on the provincial road north of Bovegno. Now all that remains is to return to the starting point.