With the arrival of fine weather, Valtellina opens up to two wheels, featuring major alpine elevation gains, valley floor routes and itineraries on secondary roads that cross vineyards, terraced landscapes and historic villages. The entire territory boasts approximately fifteen cycle paths and mixed cycling-pedestrian routes, allowing you to explore almost the entire province of Sondrio in a sporting and scenic way, from road bikes to MTB, right through to e-bikes and gravel bikes.

This identity is further strengthened by major international events and initiatives spread throughout the territory: from the start of the Tour de Suisse (June 17), which consolidates Valtellina's connection with professional cycling, to the Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina days, when major alpine passes are closed to motor traffic and returned to cyclists.

SLOW MOBILITY, TRAILS AND CYCLE TOURISM

Starting with the Valchiavenna Cycle Path (easy and scenic), which crosses typical alpine landscapes from Colico to Chiavenna and the entrance to Val Bregaglia, at the border with Switzerland. The route follows approximately 40 km between scenic viewpoints and natural environments, from the Pian di Spagna Reserve to Lake Mezzola, through to Chiavenna, Piuro, the Acquafraggia Waterfalls and Palazzo Vertemate Franchi.

Moving towards Lower Valtellina, the Olympic Promenade connects Morbegno to Cino — the first municipality of the Costiera dei Cech on the Rhaetian side at the valley entrance — with totems dedicated to the Olympics and the Valtellina territory. Designed for walkers, it can also be followed by MTB or gravel bike with flexible gearing. Here the five great Olympic rings become a symbol and tourist attraction for the entire valley.

From the entrance to Valtellina, the Sentiero Valtellina takes shape, a cycling-pedestrian axis that runs from Colico through the entire valley to Bormio, hugging the Adda River for over 110 km. A continuous but flexible itinerary, predominantly flat and therefore accessible to everyone. It is a well-served route with railway access, rest stops and bike rentals, ideal for slow tourism.

Inserted into this network is the Sentiero Rusca, a historic cycling-pedestrian route that partially retraces the Strada Cavallera, which connected Sondrio with the Muretto Pass (2,562 m), a historic gateway between Valtellina and Engadin. The itinerary starts from Sondrio and reaches the Muretto Pass. By mountain bike, through a convenient cycle path, you can reach Chiesa in Valmalenco via San Giuseppe and Chiareggio, arriving at the Muretto Pass on unpaved roads, trails and mule tracks.

In the same context sits the Via dei Terrazzamenti, which crosses the Rhaetian side between Morbegno and Tirano, passing through the heroic vineyards of Valtellina viticulture. Over 70 km of terraced landscape, supported by dry stone walls, shape the mountain with slopes reaching up to 60%.

At Tirano, an important connection hub with Switzerland, you encounter the Raetica Classica, a circular road cycling route connecting Valtellina and Swiss territories through alpine passes and lateral valleys. It is a sporting and dynamic route, more challenging than valley floor cycle paths, with climbs and gradient changes; it is also an excursion route, though its primary use remains cycle tourism.

Along the slope between Ardenno and Tirano lies the Wine and Flavours Road of Valtellina, a themed itinerary that highlights the terraced landscape and the relationship between man and mountain. It can be cycled on road bikes, e-bikes and gravel bikes, also in stages, with a strong cultural and gastronomic component.

Finally, towards the east, the Bormio area introduces the Cancano Lakes, where the Lakes Tour offers an accessible excursion and cycling experience in an almost high-mountain setting, with open and gentle landscapes. In the same context sits the Tee Tour in Livigno, an itinerary crossing small rural settlements and alpine pastures. A route that highlights the more intimate and widespread dimension of the Valtellina territory.

Valtellina confirms itself as an ideal destination for cycle tourism, with a strong vocation for gravel biking, a discipline halfway between road and mountain bikes that allows you to tackle unpaved roads, country roads and trails. The territory alternates challenging climbs and gentler sections, offering routes of great variety: from the Salt and Wine Road to the historic military roads of the Great War, from the Val Viola valley floor to the Cancano Lakes, right through to the climb of the Stelvio Pass, one of the most iconic and challenging in the Alps. The cycle network allows you to explore the valley safely among villages, churches, castles and agricultural areas, thanks to rest stops and services spread throughout the territory.

WITH A ROAD BIKE

For two-wheel purists, Valtellina offers, beyond cycle paths, some of the roads and alpine passes that have made cycling history. The Giro d'Italia has reached the valley numerous times with stage finishes and has crossed it thanks to its iconic passes.

Among these stand out the Stelvio Pass, climbed 13 times, and the Mortirolo Pass, tackled more than 10 times, confirming Valtellina's central role in the history of the Giro d'Italia. The great cycling climbs — Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo — are symbolic places of the exploits of champions like Fausto Coppi and Marco Pantani.

The Stelvio Pass (2,758 m), Italy's highest automobile pass, became legendary in 1953 with Coppi's feat, while the Gavia Pass entered history in 1988 with a memorable stage under snow.

In this context Stelvio Epic Rides was born in 2025, a project dedicated to cycle tourism in Upper Valtellina: not a race, but an experience to be lived between June and October tackling the three legendary climbs — Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo — alongside seven other new itineraries, with the aim of promoting the territory beyond the summer season.

The Mortirolo Pass, between Valtellina and Valcamonica, is among the hardest climbs in the world, with peaks exceeding 20%. Here the Pantani myth was born in 1994. Numerous other itineraries test cyclists among spectacular panoramas: from the Cancano Lakes (Little Stelvio), to the Spluga Pass (2,227 m), right through to the Aprica Pass (1,181 m). Among the lesser-known climbs: San Marco Pass, Campo Moro in Valmalenco and Foscagno Pass (2,291 m). In summer, with the Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina project, some passes are closed to traffic, offering days dedicated to cyclists in complete safety. Added to this is Spluga da Capogiro: the initiative that provides for the closure of the SS36 state road from Campodolcino to Pianazzo, that is one of the most scenic and suggestive stretches of the Spluga Pass. To guarantee cyclists and pedestrians the opportunity to enjoy, in complete safety, spectacular panoramas and pure mountain air, closure is scheduled every Sunday morning in July and August (8-12).

MOUNTAIN BIKE, DOWNHILL AND BIKE PARKS

Mountain bike enthusiasts appreciate the more challenging elevation gains in the Val Belviso area, in the Aprica zone, which crosses the Orobie Valtellinesi. The Alpe Groppera Loop, suitable for beginners too, winds through forests above Madesimo on the eastern slope where skiers tackle ski runs in winter; in this suggestive itinerary it is possible to stop for a refreshing dip in the wonderful Lake Azzurro immersed in the pine forest, or admire the panorama of the Andossi plateau and the peaks of the upper Spluga Valley: Pizzo Quadro, Pizzo Ferrè and Pizzo Tambò, to name the most important.

In summer the ski lifts open to bikers, with routes dedicated to every level. Livigno is a reference destination with the Mottolino Bike Park (14 trails) and the Carosello 3000 (over 50 km of routes), connected to the Mountain Area Sitas.

In Bormio, the Bike Park on Mount Vallecetta offers downhill, freeride and cross country itineraries, plus the Tour of the 3 Gondolas connecting the three facilities in the resort. Here also develop the Stelvio Natural Trails, routes on natural tracks among forests and high-altitude trails, and the Bormio 360 Adventure Trail, a scenic loop suitable for both trekking and more experienced bikers.

In Valmalenco, the Palù Bike Park offers routes between 1,400 and 2,400 m, suitable for beginners too. The area is completed by a Trial Zone, dedicated to technical training on natural and artificial obstacles, and a Pump Track in Caspoggio, a loop circuit with bumps and banked curves that you navigate using body movement without pedaling. Another Pump Track is located between Poggiridenti and Piateda, along the Sentiero Valtellina.

Opened in 2012, the Made Bike Park in Madesimo offers routes for all levels, from gravity tracks for beginners to more technical flow trails. Among these stands out the Valle delle Streghe, a black run with obstacles and natural slopes. Other MTB itineraries complete the picture between Val Grosina and border areas of Valposchiavo, with routes on mule tracks and technical descents.

THE TWO-WHEEL EVENTS CALENDAR

June 7, 2026 – La Stelvio Santini (Bormio)

· Type: Road bike / Gravel

· Details: Gran fondo on three routes featuring the Stelvio Pass. The 2026 novelty is the addition of a gravel route.

June 12-14, 2026 – Italian Internationals Downhill (Aprica)

· Type: UCI C1 international race (downhill MTB)

· Details: second round of the international circuit, technical and high-speed tracks.

June 13, 2026 – Nova Eroica Switzerland (Poschiavo - CH)

· Type: Gravel

· Details: First edition of the gravel event on three routes between Tirano and nearby Val Poschiavo.

June 17, 2026 – Tour de Suisse (Sondrio)

· Type: Road bike

· Details: Historic start from Italy, for the first time in history, of the Swiss Tour.

June 26-28, 2026 – MOGAST MOrtirolo, GAvia and STelvio (Sondrio)

· Details: non-competitive cycling event

June 27, 2026 – Granfondo Livigno Alé (Livigno)

· Type: Road bike

· Details: Gran fondo on road with routes of 106.8 km and 166.8 km.

July 5, 2026 – Granfondo Gavia & Mortirolo (Aprica)

· Type: Road bike

· Details: Cycling event dedicated to the great historic passes of the Giro d'Italia.

July 12, 2026 – Re Stelvio Mapei (Bormio)

· Type: Road bike

July 25, 2026 – Alta Valtellina Bike Marathon (Valdidentro)

· Type: mountain bike marathon race

· Details: three routes among the trails of the Stelvio National Park.

July 31 – August 2, 2026 – Italian Internationals Downhill (Bormio)

· Type: international downhill MTB race

· Details: round of the national/international circuit on alpine and technical routes.

September 4-6, 2026 – Italian Internationals Downhill (Madesimo)

· Type: downhill MTB circuit finals

· Details: season-closing event on technical and highly spectacular tracks.

September 12-13, 2026 – La Rōda Tellina in Berbenno di Valtellina (Sondrio)

· Type: Vintage bike

· Details: "Cyclohistoric" race on two routes reserved for bikes predating 1987.

September 19-20, 2026 – Gravellina (Sondrio)

· Type: Gravel

· Details: Gravel event along rural roads.

September 27, 2026 – Alpe Motta Time Trial (Campodolcino)

· Type: Road bike for the competitive race, open to all for the non-competitive.

· Details: a classic cycling race and non-competitive gathering in Valchiavenna.

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For more information on the Valtellina territory: www.valtellina.it