Cima Papa Giovanni, Discesa passo di Mezzeno

This is a truly unique all-mountain ride that connects Roncobello and the Mezzeno mountain huts to the Laghi Gemelli area, then descends into Valcanale to Alpe Corte, climbs back up to Passo Branchino, and ends back near Roncobello.

Compared to the more classic version of the route, this trail also includes Cima Papa Giovanni XXIII, reached via a subtle detour that makes the upper section much more interesting.

It’s a physically demanding and rather rugged ride, involving plenty of carrying your bike on your shoulder and, above all, a very technical first major descent. The reward comes in the second half: the descent from Branchino toward Mezzeno is truly beautiful, and instead of simply ending on the road, you can link up with other technical trails all the way back to Roncobello.

The route can also be planned starting from Valcanale, but in the version proposed here, the starting point is Roncobello.

Roncobello – Baite di Mezzeno

From Roncobello, you begin to gain elevation toward the Baite di Mezzeno, located at around 1,600 m.

This is the easiest part of the day and allows you to comfortably reach the start of the alpine section of the route.

At the Mezzeno huts, you can refill your water bottles before starting the actual climb.

From here, take the trail toward Passo di Mezzeno, where the trail becomes rapidly less bike-friendly.

You’ll gradually switch from riding to carrying your bike, and the long portage of the first part of the route begins.

Toward Cima Papa Giovanni XXIII

During the climb toward Passo di Mezzeno, you leave the most obvious trail and take a traverse toward Cima Papa Giovanni XXIII.

This detour does not always follow a clearly visible trail.

Recently, some stone cairns have been placed to make the direction more intuitive, but it is still strongly recommended to have the GPS track with you.

The terrain makes it fairly easy to figure out where to go, but don’t expect a standard, well-marked CAI trail.

You’ll continue mostly with your bike on your shoulder until you reach the area around Cima Papa Giovanni XXIII, which offers a beautiful view of the Laghi Gemelli and the surrounding mountains.

It’s a detour that adds some effort to the ride, but it makes the upper section much more interesting than simply passing through the Mezzeno Pass.

Descent from Cima Papa Giovanni XXIII ? S4/S5

A very technical descent begins immediately from the summit.

The first part is the most difficult and can be ratedS4/S5, with some decidedly extreme sections.

This isn’t a descent where you can expect much continuity: you’ll need to read the terrain and be prepared to get off your bike when necessary.

After losing a bit of elevation, the terrain gradually becomes more manageable, and the descent allows for a smoother ride until you reach the Passo dei Gemelli area.

Passo dei Gemelli - Alpe Corte

From Passo dei Gemelli, the first truly major descent of the day begins.

And here, too, practically nothing is given to you on a silver platter.

The upper section is extremely technical, very steep, and continuous. The difficulty is essentiallyS5, and several sections will inevitably have to be tackled on foot by those without a very high technical skill level.

It is precisely this characteristic that made the old version of the route less appealing: the descent from Passo dei Gemelli is not one of the smoothest in the area and requires a lot of effort even on the downhill sections.

Once past the most extreme section, the trail finally becomes more rideable.

However, it doesn’t become easy.

The difficulty remains mostly in theS4 range, on technical and challenging terrain, as the trail gradually descends toward Valcanale.

You’ll eventually reach the Alpe Corte Mountain Hut, at about 1,415 m.

It’s a good idea to stop here for a moment, refill your water, and, above all, recharge your energy: the day is far from over.

Alpe Corte – Passo Branchino

From Alpe Corte, you’ll need to regain all the elevation you’ve just lost.

Passo Branchino is located at 1,821 m, so at least another 400 meters of elevation gain await us.

The climb is steep and physically demanding.

Some sections allow for riding, but don’t expect an easy, continuous climb. With a muscle-powered MTB, you’ll need to be prepared for several sections where you’ll have to push the bike, especially on the steepest parts.

This is probably the moment when you’ll find yourself wondering why you decided to descend all the way down to Alpe Corte.

The answer becomes clear once you reach the area around Lake Branchino.

Branchino Pass – Mezzeno Huts ? S3

In fact, one of the best parts of the entire ride begins at Passo Branchino.

The descent toward the Baite di Mezzeno is a beautiful mountain trail, much more continuous and enjoyable than the previous descent.

The difficulty can generally be rated S3.

The terrain finally allows you to ride at a steady pace, without the constant need to stop at extreme sections.

The official route between Branchino Pass and Baite di Mezzeno is Trail 219, which descends about 240 meters through pastures and then through the woods.

After the grueling climb up from Alpe Corte, this is probably the section that makes you feel it was all worth it.

Baite del Grumello

Once you reach the Mezzeno area, instead of simply taking the road back toward Roncobello, the route continues along the trails.

Take the Baite del Grumello trail.

It’s not a particularly long descent—roughly a hundred meters of elevation drop—but it’s a beautiful, rocky, and technical trail.

The difficulty is roughly a solid S3.

The terrain requires active control, but there are no truly extreme sections, so it can be ridden with good flow.

Barca Trail

Continue on the Barca Trail.

Here, too, the terrain is generally in theS3 range, interspersed with a few easier sections.

The trail is very pleasant to ride but requires caution, especially as you approach the final section.

In fact, there are two particularly exposed sections.

There’s no need to take risks: if you don’t feel completely confident, simply get off your bike and walk through them.

Once past these points, the route continues, connecting with the classic descents above Roncobello.

Finale toward Roncobello

From here, all that’s left is to choose how to link the final trails leading back to the village.

The difficulty gradually decreases, and the ride ends with a series of beautiful descents through the woods that take you straight back to Roncobello.

After a day marked by portages, S5 sections, a long climb, and several technical trails, this is a decidedly more relaxing finish.

Alternative Route Starting from Valcanale

The same route can also be done starting from Valcanale.

In this case, the order of the climbs and descents naturally changes, but the main features remain the same: Passo dei Gemelli, Alpe Corte, Branchino, and the connection to Mezzeno.

However, starting from Roncobello remains the most logical choice for this version, as it allows you to finish directly on the Grumello and Barca trails without needing any additional transfers.

In summary

This new version transforms what could have been considered simply a link between Passo Gemelli and Branchino into a complete and decidedly challenging all-mountain ride.

From the Baite di Mezzeno, you’ll mostly hike with your bike on your shoulder toward the upper section, leaving the classic route to reach Cima Papa Giovanni XXIII via a barely visible traverse, where using a GPS is strongly recommended.

The first descent from the summit is S4/S5.

From Passo dei Gemelli, the difficulty remains very high: the upper part of the descent toward Alpe Corte is essentially S5, and only further down does it become a more rideable S4.

Once you reachAlpe Corte, you’ll need to put your legs to work again and climb over 400 meters in elevation to reach Passo Branchino.

It’s a tough climb, but it’s worth it to reach what is probably the most beautiful and fun part of the entire ride.

From Branchino, you descend along a beautiful S3 trail toward the Baite di Mezzeno, then continue on the technical trail of the Baite del Grumello, over the Barca, and finally down the classic descents that lead back to Roncobello.

It’s therefore a ride with plenty of challenging sections, both uphill and downhill, but much more well-rounded and interesting than the simple Passo Gemelli–Alpe Corte descent.

Technical Details

Trail Style: AM / Mountain Biking

MTB: Yes

E-MTB: Not recommended

Portage: High—especially toward Cima Papa Giovanni XXIII

Ascent difficulty: Challenging; significant climb up to Alpe Corte-Branchino

Descent difficulty: Mostly S3/S4, with significant S5 sections

Cima Papa Giovanni XXIII: S4/S5, very technical initial section

Passo Gemelli–Alpe Corte: S5 in the upper section, then mostly S4

Branchino–Mezzeno: S3, much more continuous and enjoyable

Grumello: well over S3

Barca: approximately S3, with two exposed sections in the final part

Exposure: limited on the overall route, but significant in some sections of the Barca

Drainage: Generally good, though conditions should be assessed on a case-by-case basis

Water sources: Roncobello, Baite di Mezzeno, and Rifugio Alpe Corte

Navigation: GPS strongly recommended on the detour toward Cima Papa Giovanni XXIII