Pradella (versione estrema)

This is the most mountaineering-oriented and challenging route of the loop that connects Valgoglio to Val Sanguigno via the Pradella area. Compared to the other route, which reaches the upper section via the Aviasco area, this itinerary continues toward Lake Zelt and tackles the Pradella slope (2,626 m) head-on.

It’s important to make this clear right away: this isn’t simply a more strenuous variant. In the upper section, you’ll encounter extended stretches of exposed terrain, portage over difficult terrain, and sections where you must be very confident in your movements—even while carrying your bike. The trail is rated T4, meaning it’s intended for very experienced hikers, and tackling it with a mountain bike on your shoulder makes it even more challenging.

This route should only be considered if you are not afraid of exposure, are accustomed to navigating challenging alpine terrain, and possess nearly mountaineering-level skills.

E-MTBs are strongly discouraged: even though the motor might allow you to pedal some sections of the climb across the meadows, that advantage quickly disappears. In the subsequent exposed sections and at points where the bike must be lifted and maneuvered through the rocks, its weight and bulk would become a serious problem. For an E-MTB, I strongly recommend the other route through Aviasco.

The route starts in Valgoglio, at about 960 m, initially tackling the climb on paved road. During the climb, you can take a short shortcut that bypasses part of the road and saves you about a quarter of an hour. It’s only about fifty meters long, but very steep, with a surface of concrete and laid stones.

You then continue on the unpaved agricultural and forestry road, which remains steep throughout. In the first section, it’s best not to follow the GPS track exactly: it’s better to stay on the road for a bit longer—gaining a few meters of rideable terrain—and then take the next trail. The recorded track, on the other hand, takes a more direct route, unnecessarily bringing the portage forward.

Once the road ends, the hiking section begins. Carry your bike on your shoulder uphill to the Lago Nero Hut (1,945 m), where there’s a fountain and thus the chance to refill your water supply, and then on to Lago Nero (2,013 m). From Lago Nero, continue with the bike on your shoulder until you reach the distinctive flat stretch that follows the pipeline: a paved strip about 1–1.5 meters wide that crosses the slope at nearly the same elevation.

Toward Lago Zelt

Here, this route diverges from the other variant. Instead of turning toward the Aviasco area, continue along the pipeline and then head toward Lake Zelt. The ascent initially crosses broad grassy slopes, though the trail isn’t always clearly defined. You’ll then proceed fairly freely across the open meadows, mostly carrying your bike.

Paradoxically, this would be one of the sections where an E-MTB could allow you to ride quite a bit, but the reason I don’t recommend it on this route becomes clear in the next section. Once the grassy slopes end, the terrain changes, and you continue on a trail with a more gravelly surface, continuing to gain elevation until you connect with the trail that climbs toward Pradella.

T4 traverse below Pradella

From here, the nature of the ride changes completely. You enter a T4-rated hiking trail, which is already intended for very experienced hikers when traversed on foot. Tackling it while carrying a mountain bike therefore requires even greater attention, balance, and confidence in your movements.

This is not just a single exposed section. There is a significant stretch of traverse along a very exposed slope, with a drop-off on the left and limited space to maneuver with the bike. Along this section, there is a metal cable that provides an important handhold and makes the passage more manageable. However, the presence of the cable should not lead you to underestimate the terrain: you must simultaneously manage the exposure, find secure footholds, and control a mountain bike, which inevitably limits your balance and freedom of movement.

Within the traverse, there is also a rocky section that is particularly difficult to navigate on a bike. At this point, I recommend riding in a group of at least two, so you can tackle the section separately and then pass the MTB to one another.

For those with sufficient experience and appropriate gear, it may make sense to consider using a lanyard or via ferrata equipment to secure yourself to the rope at the most challenging points. Of course, this assumes you already know how to use the equipment properly and does not replace the experience needed to navigate this type of terrain.

Beyond the traverse: the challenges continue

Once past the equipped section, the challenges aren’t over yet. You must continue on foot, crossing another stretch of very alpine and rocky terrain. In some spots, you’ll pass between large boulders with narrow gaps, and you’ll need to lift the mountain bike very high—almost above your head—to get it through.

You’ll also encounter a rocky step about two meters high, which you’ll need to descend by climbing down while carefully maneuvering the bike. Here, too, having at least two people makes the task considerably easier.

It is therefore the combination of these two sections—the exposed traverse equipped with a metal cable and the subsequent rocky crossing—that makes this variant significantly more challenging than the route through Aviasco. Only after completing this entire section do you rejoin the other trail and continue along the upper path toward the Lago Gelato area (approximately 2,417 m).

Descent from Lago Gelato S5

From this point, the first technically very challenging part of the descent begins. The initial section reaches difficulty level S5 and requires advanced technical skills. This is not just a single isolated passage: the difficulty remains high for a stretch, even if interspersed with sections that are very enjoyable to ride.

There is also a non-rideable section where you must carry your bike down a step of about 1.5–2 meters. Once you reach the Lago Gelato area, pay close attention to a fork in the trail: do not take the trail that descends directly toward Val Sanguigno on the right, but keep left and follow the trail.

From here, the nature of the descent changes and the difficulty decreases significantly. There are still numerous technical sections—roughly S3+/S4 with some S4 sections—but the terrain becomes much more manageable and often allows you to choose different lines.

This is one of the most beautiful sections of the route. The terrain features numerous granite slabs with excellent grip, and often multiple approaches are possible at the same spot: you can seek out the more challenging line by going directly over rocks and ledges, or simplify the passage by using the edge of the trail and the grassy areas. It is therefore a technical descent, but also a very creative one, where you can often choose just how challenging you want the passage to be.

Stagno della Corna and Val Sanguigno

Continue toward Stagno della Corna. In this section, the route isn’t yet a continuous descent: there are some ups and downs and short climbs where you may need to dismount and push your bike.

Once past the Stagno della Corna area, the descent gradually becomes easier. As you lose elevation, the difficulty decreases to roughly an S2 rating, though there are still a few more technical sections here and there that keep the ride interesting.

Once you enter the lower part of Val Sanguigno, the trail becomes much smoother and faster, with sections where you can pick up speed and several scattered technical sections. After the challenging upper section, here you can finally let the bike roll more freely. You then reach the Gianpace Mountain Hut (1,331 m).

Descent from Gianpace S4

On this route, once you reach the Gianpace Refuge, take the descent on the right side, which is significantly more technical than the alternative on the other side. After the section of Val Sanguigno where the difficulty had gradually decreased, the technical level suddenly rises again here.

The trail features numerous challenging sections, generally rated S4, with some sections reaching S5. It is therefore important not to consider the arrival at Gianpace as the end of the technical challenges: a demanding descent still lies ahead, requiring concentration and excellent riding skills.

• Easier alternative: From the Gianpace Refuge, you can choose the descent on the left side, used in the other route. This one also has some steep and technical sections, but overall it is more accessible, smoother, and faster than the descent on the right side.
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In summary

This variant adds a true mountaineering element to the ride. The difficulty does not stem solely from the amount of portage: in the upper section, you must tackle a T4 trail, a significant exposed traverse equipped with a metal cable, and a subsequent challenging rocky section that must be navigated while carrying your bike.

It is therefore a route exclusively for riders who are not afraid of exposure, are highly confident in their movements on alpine terrain, and are accustomed to handling their MTB even in situations requiring balance, strength, and movement skills bordering on mountaineering.

Added to this is a descent that is, overall, of a very high difficulty level, with two distinct sections reaching S5: the first in the Lago Gelato area and the second on the technical descent chosen after the Gianpace Hut. Between these two sections, the long descent through Val Sanguigno becomes progressively easier and smoother, creating a nice contrast with the more challenging parts of the ride.

For those who aren’t completely comfortable with exposure and carrying their bikes on T4 terrain, I definitely recommend the other route through Aviasco.

Technical Details

• Trail Style: All Mountain / Technical / Alpine Adventure
• MTB: Yes, only for very experienced riders
• E-MTB: Strongly not recommended
• Duration: About 8 hours
• Portage: Very high
• Ascent difficulty: Extreme ? T4, portage, and exposure
• Descent difficulty: S4/S5, with intermediate sections easier, down to S2
• Exposure: High in the Pradella area
• Trail Conditions: Best when dry
• Water: Lago Nero Hut, Gianpace Refuge, and streams along the descent