Monte Mario 5X

The 5 Best Downhill Rides on Monte Mario. The route starts in Bologna, following secondary roads and bike paths; just before Pianoro Vecchio, you climb the beautiful but steep road that leads to Guzzano, starting from the valley floor. In Guzzano, keep left and continue through some ups and downs until you reach Ca di Cò. Here, take the dirt road and then the trail with some technical uphill sections until you reach the dirt road leading to the wildlife conservation center. From there, follow the trail toward Monte Mario and the cliffs. Here, take the first trail: “Secret,” which descends to Badolo. A technical and challenging route with steep sections, rock passages, and, in the final stretch, sections bordering on trial-style riding.

In Badolo, turn right to climb a bit on asphalt to the start of the Vagabunder trail, now a classic in the area: a fast-flowing route with some sprints but also some technical rock sections. Incidentally, it has been improved at the start to avoid a section that was always muddy (detour to the right) and in a middle section (also to the right) to avoid a passage that was always wet. Once on the asphalt, climb to Battedizzo via the trail and then to the Monte Mario saddle, and from there to the summit of Monte Mario (a short push).

A short but fun trail descends toward La Commenda, and just before reaching it, turn right to take the 4th trail: Nuvola Rossa. Another beautiful technical trail with rocky sections, steep drops, compressions, and jumps to return to the provincial road. Climb back up to Battedizzo and then to the saddle, then proceed toward La Commenda and from there to the meadows of Mugnano. At the parking lot, head down to the left toward the three cypress trees and, just before reaching them, turn right onto a trail: the final trail is quite challenging (only to be attempted on dry ground): breathtaking steep sections, jumps, natural wall rides, and flowing sections. You arrive on the Strada delle Ganzole, cross Sasso Marconi, and then take the Porrettana for a short stretch until the small road toward Castel de Rossi, and from there the dirt road to Parco della Chiusa (Talon). Climb up a steep trail and then a dirt road until you reach the hill road to San Luca. Turn left, and shortly after, left again onto the Bregoli trail. A technical yet smooth single-track route leading to the start of Parco Talon, and from there, return to Bologna via bike paths.

Difficulty S3 (some sections S4).