The narrow path past Biscia, right before the San Jorio Pass

This tour starts in Arbedo, following the narrow cement road that reaches the top of the village and continues into the woods, on the left of the river. Up to Alpe della Costa (1600 m) there will be no rest, only a few U-turns and a slope constantly around 10%. Past Alpe della Costa there is one kilometer of flat gravel road, and then another cement climb that reaches the refuge of Alpe del Gesero (1765 m).

A few meters after the refuge you have to take the steep and bumpy fire road that starts on the right, and leads to Biscia (1995 m), turning then into a narrow walkway. The first section of the walkway is too steep to be ridden, then it gets better, even though there are still many short sections where you'll have to carry your bike. After 3 kilometers you will reach Passo San Jorio.

Panorama from Passo San Jorio

On the other side of the pass there is a short single track that leads down to the refuge, then a easy gravel road continues down to Il Giovo (1714 m), where there is another refuge.

In Il Giovo you have to head right, on the wide single track that heads toward the West. After a few hundred meters you'll start climbing again, entering a lonesome valley and going in search of its springs. In Mutata Sommafiume (1800 m) the single track becomes steeper, and you'll have to push your bike for several meters. At 1925 m the slope will decrease and you'll meet a bifurcation on the right which will lead to Bocchetta di Sommafiume.

A dangerous section by Buco di Giumello

After this second pass you'll start going down again towards Valletta. After a first few meters there will be another short climb, then you'll get to ride down on a hard and technical single track. After a few minutes you'll run into a dangerous section, where the trail runs on the side of a precipice. Here you absolutely have to push your bike to avoid accidents.

After this dangerous spot you'll go through a few more bumpy ups and downs, then you'll reach Piano delle Pecore (1758 m), where you'll get on a fire road. Follow the fire road and you'll easily arrive to all'Alpe di Giumello (1594 m), where you'll finally meet the cement road.

Flying down the open pastures of Alpe di Giumello

Instead of taking the cement road you can still have some excitement if you follow the path that goes down through the pastures. You'll have to follow the yellow sign that reads Carena and the poles with the red and white markings that stick out of the meadows. Once you crossed the pastures you'll enter the woods, but the single track will still be rideable. You'll then get back on the cement road, but if you keep following the red and white markings you'll get on a second shortcut through the thick woods again, on the left of the road. The first part of this single track is steep and bumpy, but the second part is very smooth and fast. The shortcut ends at 1160 m, where you'll finally get back to the cement road.

From there on you should stay on the road. A smooth gravel section will take you down to Carena, then take the main road and you'll reach Giubiasco. Your last effort of the day will be the few kilometers that separates Giubiasco from Arbedo.