Fanano: The King e Madonne del Ponte

Two challenging descents, a good dose of technical skill, and a landscape that never disappoints: in the Fanano area, “The King” and “Madonna del Ponte” are two trails perfect for combining into a day of authentic mountain biking, featuring natural singletrack, technical sections, and some decidedly challenging stretches. Start in Fanano, at the free parking lot by the swimming pools, and take a scenic CAI trail that runs alongside the road and descends toward Tre Ponti. Once you reach the intersection, continue uphill on asphalt toward Lake Pratignano, passing through the villages of Serrazzone, La Teggia, and Pian della Farnia. After leaving the last buildings behind, the asphalt gives way to a dirt road that leads all the way to the lake. Once you’ve crossed the ridge onto the wide meadows above Pratignano, take the downhill forest road, following CAI 409. At the fork, keep to the right, staying on the 409, and tackle an initial stretch of trail that’s decidedly “flow,” before turning right onto “The King,” which is clearly marked by a sign.

The descent begins with a fast, smooth singletrack, but the trail’s character gradually changes: the terrain becomes more technical, with sections of loose stone, culminating in a final section that’s almost like a trial course, featuring boulders, small rocks, hairpin turns, steps, and more unstable gravel. The difficulty level is rated S3, with possible spikes to S3+ in wet conditions. “The King” runs parallel to “The Queen,” and while it’s a bit wilder and rougher than “The Queen,” it’s no less interesting. The route actually follows the old shepherds’ trail, which has been restored and cleared thanks to the invaluable work of the talented cyclists from Fana, who continue to preserve and enhance the area’s trail heritage. The trail continues to the picturesque village of Sega, which must be crossed strictly with the bike in hand. From here, you descend on asphalt until you reach the provincial road (SP) to Ospitale, then climb back up the road to Capanna Tassoni. The climb continues along a forest road and then a trail, reaching the Passo del Colombino: the final stretch is a single track and requires some technical skill even on the climb.

From the pass, you tackle the second descent of the day: Madonne del Ponte, also known as CAI 425, a true classic of the area and a trail that needs no introduction to those who frequent these slopes. The start is relatively smooth, with a flowing rhythm, but it’s best to watch out for a few slightly rutted sections. Gradually, the trail increases in difficulty, alternating between steps, steep sections, tight switchbacks, loose rocks, and rocky passages with smoother sections where you can let the bike run free. There are also several technical sections on the switchbacks, which require precision in choosing your line and good bike control. The average difficulty is S3, with peaks of S3+ when the trail is wet. The descent continues until it reaches a dirt road on the left, shortly after Ca’ Traleo. Turn left again to tackle the final stretch: a sequence of tight hairpin turns on compact rock and boulders, interspersed with some decidedly challenging steps. This section requires caution, especially when the ground is wet, as the difficulty can rise to S3.

Once you’ve cleared the final sections, you’ll finally arrive at Madonna del Ponte. From here, to complete the loop without further difficulty, simply follow the gentle little trail that runs alongside the stream and leads directly back to Fanano. In summary: a great double feature that combines the wildest and most natural character of “The King” with the technical challenges of “Madonne del Ponte.” Two distinct descents, yet both share challenging terrain and sections that require experience, the ability to read the terrain, and good bike control. This is a route not to be underestimated, especially in wet conditions, when the most technical sections can become decidedly selective.