Grosté

Description of one of the most beautiful routes you can take in Val Rendena. The route starts at the large parking lot across from the Pinzolo ski lifts. Follow a secondary paved road closed to traffic to reach Sant’Antonio di Mavignola. Continue on a road that turns into a dirt road until you reach Madonna di Campiglio, where you turn right until you arrive near the Campo Carlo Magno ski lifts. We alternate between a stretch of dirt road and a trail through the woods—pushing our bikes due to exposed roots—until we reach the road that climbs steeply to the Graffer Mountain Hut. From the Graffer Mountain Hut to the Stoppani Mountain Hut, there are several sections where we have to push our bikes due to steep gradients and loose terrain. Just a few more meters and we’re at the Grostè Pass.

If you don’t like walking or carrying your bike, head back to the Graffer Refuge; if, on the other hand, you want to enjoy the white limestone slabs of the Grostè, continue on to the intersection with the Grostedì trail. From here, descend along the slabs, keeping a close eye on the trail and the red-and-white markers. Don’t get distracted, as there are dangerous micro-crevasses. This is no longer MTB; we’re now entering the realm of light mountain biking. We descend to meet the trail coming from the Tuckett Refuge, and in no time we’re back at the Graffer Refuge. Just below, the beautiful trail begins that descends into Vallesinella against the backdrop of the Corna Rossa cliffs. The trail is stunning—all S2 with short S3 sections—and must always be ridden with the utmost caution.

You’ll reach Malga Vallesinella Alta and then descend to the Vallesinella parking lot. We continue downhill until we pass the Cascate di Mezzo and take the beautiful trail known as the “Arciduca.” Take a sharp left turn onto another beautiful trail that descends to the former Brenta nursery. Follow the trail to Sant’Antonio, where you’ll reach Pinzolo via the technical trail that cuts across the paved road taken on the way there.

If the weather isn’t ideal, avoid this route. We’re in the Adamello Brenta Park, and some sections of the trail are off-limits to bikes—walk those sections, and above all, avoid them during the summer months due to the high number of hikers. If the ski lifts are closed, you’ll encounter very few hikers—to whom you must always yield the right of way. In the photo report, we started from Sant’Antonio di Mavignola to reduce the elevation gain by about 300 meters; however, parking there is limited. You can find more information and photos in the photo report.