Fire road that ascends the Pollino Valley

The Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity and its parking lot can be reached in a couple of minutes from Ghiffa, following the road signs. In the past this enchanting ledge was an important meeting and praying point, and even if today it has lost its religious and social function, the atmosphere is still very evocative. Before jumping on your bike stop by for a few minutes and let surround yourself by the charm of its imperturbable quietness, broken only by the ancient voices, now severe and now joyful, that sometimes still echoes between the chapels and underneath the old arcades.

Once you got on the bike, take the gravel road that pass behind the Sanctuary and heads SW. At the first bifurcation head right, on the ascending fire road. After a few short but steep climbs alternated with some level sections you'll get to Caronio (494 m). Here you have to follow the paved road on the right, but after climbing for a few meters you'll find another fire road, marked with white and red signs and the number 1. Follow the signs (towards NE) and after less than 3 kilometers you'll arrive to Pollino (745 m), where you'll meet the paved road again. Go on the right along the main road (signs for the former Belvedere hotel), and after passing by a nice scenery point over the lake you'll get to the highest point of this tour, the antenna located at 788 m.

View from Belvedere in Pollino

There are many path that go down through the natural park, some very nice and smooth and some others almost unrideable. The best one for MTBikes is definitely the one that heads SW, going through the summit of Mount Cargiago. However, since there is a high trail concentration, it is very important for you to follow exactly the instructions reported here in order to skip the more unfriendly places.

From the open area beneath the antenna follow the path marked with number 18. You'll meet right away a bifurcation, where you'll have to turn right, to shun an unrideable spot. This way you'll head down to the Witches' Lake (Laghetto delle Streghe - actually it's a pond, and there's no witch to be found). Past the pond you'll get to another bifurcation. Head right again, and after a short climb you'll get to another bifurcation yet, where you'll have to go straight (the only direction not indicated on the sign). The path is pretty smooth and fast, and leads to another bifurcation, which is harder to find. Here you'll have to leave the main path (downwards) to climb up on the left. As a general guideline, try to stay on the crest. After some gentle up and downs you'll get to the summit of Mount Cargiago and then you'll start descending quickly, with some difficult technical sections. Here the less experienced bikers could possibly be forced to walk for a few meters.

Winter descent from Mount Cargiago towards Caronio

Keep on heading SW and skip a left U-turn. You'll get back to the main path and then to a fire road, which you'll have to follow to the left. After climbing the steepest part you'll meet another unmarked path on the right. This path is also very nice and smooth and will take you back to the gravel road that links the Holy Sanctuary to Caronio. Follow it backwards and you'll quickly find yourself at the starting point. Unless you did some mistake at some bifurcation: in this case you'll probably find yourself somewhere else.