Grignasco: anello antiorario intorno al Monte Fenera

Proposed here is the classic tour around Mount Fenera starting from Grignasco. Nothing new, but since the itinerary section is new, let's put this training ride here as well.

We then start from Grignasco, I recommend the parking area soccer field-cemetery. We immediately start with a climb on bitumen for 5km, then take a dirt road on the right that will take us downhill comfortably to the Maggiora cemetery with outdoor fountain.

The trail continues to the Maggiora racetrack area, where the second 5-km climb on dirt begins. This is well pedaled until the last km, after that there are sections with killer 25% gradients! At the top we take a breather and the firebreak to the right where the descent immediately begins, which is very rocky, with wide stretches carved out by water that require attention and caution. At the bottom we meet a stream to ford and then climb back up on another dirt road that you find it by crossing the stream on the right. Beware that if there is a lot of water you could get your feet wet and present difficulties crossing it. Go up on well-pedaled dirt road for another 2.5km to Soliva locality, where we meet the bitumen.

From here the climb continues for another 3km to Castagnola, and then takes us by poorly surfaced asphalt to Colma. (From here if you go left (off this trail) you will reach the summit of Mount Fenera, where there is a nice view. The last stretch of 500mt is very hard.)From Colma the descent begins, a first short piece on asphalt and then on a rather fun trail to the locality Bertasacco (a couple of houses..) Beware on this descent of hikers going up, we adjust our speed always paying attention to others.

From Bertasacco there is a fork, on the right Ara short descent and on the left Ara long descent. I on 21/08/2022 took Ara corta but almost at the end groups of trees fell making it moooolto difficult to pass, so until they get them out of the way I strongly advise against it! Alternatively then you can take Ara LUNGA which joins the short one. Between descents and relaunches we find ourselves back in Grignasco.

Ride covered with spectral cf8, an AM, but also doable with a light trial/XC. The route is mostly in the woods and is rideable in all seasons, snow and water permitting. Note: it took me 4h, but I lost one just to pass fallen trees; the tour takes about 3 h of pedaling.