Val Cavaliera Lagune freeride Ciliegiolo

The itinerary starts just before Piedimonte and faces a first part of asphalt climb to the Sambuca Pass. From here we enter the beautiful upper Mugello forest, a shady and evocative environment that leads to the mouth of Val Cavaliera. Val Cavaliera is a wild and natural descent, full of technical passages, tight turns and challenging sections that require careful riding. It winds through a wild and spectacular setting until it reaches Casetta di Tiara, where this exciting and authentically backcountry section ends.

From Casetta di Tiara begins the toughest climb of the itinerary: a steep and prolonged section, partly on dirt road, where at several points it is necessary to push the bike by hand, unless you have an e-MTB that allows you to tackle the ascent in the saddle. The effort is fully repaid upon arrival on the Lagune ridge, the adrenaline-pumping heart of the route: a scenic and technical section, ideal for freeride enthusiasts, with passages over rocky terrain and breathtaking views of the Apennines.

From the end of the ridge, you continue on an initially rideable trail that allows you to reach the Ciliegiolo trailhead (CAI 607). The last connecting section requires a short bike ride, but the trail is well marked and marked as it is an integral part of the route of the famous Trail del Cinghiale, a trail running event that guarantees its perfect walkability and maintenance.

The Ciliegiolo trail represents the ideal closure to the tour: a smooth, streamlined single track, immersed in the woods, with natural curves and a firm bottom that allows you to let your bike run all the way to the final return, an exciting and rewarding conclusion to a complete, technical and emotionally rich itinerary.

Difficulty and advice

• Technical difficulty: high (S2-S3 in the downhill sections and on the Lagune ridge)
• Physical difficulty: medium-high (challenging climb from Casetta di Tiara and portage sections)
• Recommended bike: full MTB or e-MTB with good travel range
• Ideal time: May to October (avoid after rains due to mud and slipperiness)
• Equipment: full-face helmet and pads recommended for freeride sections