An electric mountain bike allows even less experienced riders to tackle mountain trails safely and enjoyably: we explore Valtellina this way.
Some call this area "the gateway to Valtellina", but the lower valley has just as much to offer and, in fact, certain features make it special and ideal for spending short breaks in contact with nature, perhaps doing sport in the open air. We discovered it by riding some of its trails on an e-bike: a magnificent experience because, thanks to the assistance of these electric vehicles, anyone can tackle even significant climbs with greater ease. We pedal through this valley to immerse ourselves not only in its nature, but also in its traditions, villages and local produce.
One of the great advantages of this valley is that it can be reached by train (1 hour and 40 minutes from Milan), at least as far as its main centre, Morbegno: we are in Lombardy, in the Province of Sondrio, and lower Valtellina can be explored using this town as a base, ideally located between the Rhaetian Alps and the Orobie. Morbegno is indeed the hub of a territory that offers headlands, mountains and valleys rich in history, culture and beautiful natural landscapes, as well as high-quality local produce. A valley that "contains" others: the Val Masino and Val di Mello, the Bitto valleys of Gerola and Albaredo, and Val Tartano, each with its own distinctive character and offer that embraces all types of tourism. Food and wine tourism is well established here in lower Valtellina, thanks to the many excellent products — wines and cheeses above all — but sports enthusiasts are equally in the right place: the trails for trekking and those for mountain biking are plentiful, well maintained and suited to any level of fitness. Those who love peace and quiet in a mountain setting and want to enjoy it in an environmentally respectful way can come to this valley and "experience" it as we did, by e-bike.
The spread of "soft mobility", particularly cycling, is certainly one of the few positive consequences of the pandemic. In Italy, a 44 per cent growth in the electric bike market has been recorded compared to the previous year: data from Ancma (Associazione nazionale ciclo motociclo accessori) tell us that as many as 280,000 Italians bought one in 2020. Who knows how many of them opted for a mountain bike that allows even the less fit to venture onto mountain trails and cover significant elevation changes. In lower Valtellina, routes for those wishing to explore the area on these vehicles are plentiful and are indeed suitable for "novices" to the discipline as well.
Considering only those that branch out from Morbegno, the options allow riders to admire and reach some of the valley's most characteristic places, such as the remains of the ancient abbey of San Pietro in Vallate dating back to the eleventh century. This easy route of around 13 kilometres can be completed in a maximum of 2 hours and is truly accessible to everyone.
Of medium difficulty, both in terms of route length (27 kilometres) and elevation gain (700 metres), is the traversata dei Cech. The name, according to some, derives from the fact that the mountain-dwellers of this area were descendants of the ancient Franks – Cech – who crossed the Alps in the eighteenth century and colonised the area in question; according to others, it comes from ciechi (blind), because paganism persisted for a long time among the local populations, who converted to Christianity very late – hence: blind to Christianity. It is a long, sun-drenched terrace overlooking the Morbegno plain, dotted with towns, hamlets and villages amid chestnut groves and terraced vineyards. This is a route best tackled in the cooler seasons, such as autumn, when the colours are wonderful and full of atmosphere.
For more experienced riders, we recommend a route of around 30 kilometres with a significant elevation gain of over 1,000 metres that can lead all the way to Lago Culino and Cima della Rosetta. Thanks to e-bikes, this route is doable in around 3–4 hours.
To share a passion for cycling and find new inspiration and excitement, a festival has existed for two years now that stands as one of the few dedicated to electric bikes, and to mountain bikes in particular. It takes place in lower Valtellina in September, and aims to reveal not only the potential of these sustainable modes of transport, but also – and above all – the perfect places in which to use them across the territory. For an entire weekend, enthusiasts and casual riders of varying levels of experience have the chance to try out e-bikes on trails that branch through the area's stunning valleys. The atmosphere is the same for everyone: enthusiasm and a desire to share are what drive every participant. Valtellina ebike festival has the great merit of speaking to everyone and making the mountains accessible to all: the satisfaction of reaching your destination in the saddle of an electric bike is immense. As is the sense of wonder at the villages passed through and the local traditions that are still very much alive and cherished by the people who live there. Not to mention the food and wine side of events, which creates an even stronger connection between the "cyclists" and the local producers who offer their finest products at the various refreshment stops, presenting a piece of their land to those who travel through it on two wheels.
One tip: take a good look at the routes before signing up for the tours, so that you can choose the one that suits you best in terms of length and difficulty, and get the most out of the experience. At the festival village in Morbegno, you will find a number of operators who can rent you a bike if you don't have your own, as well as a great many experts on hand to answer any questions you may have about this new way of experiencing the mountains.
There are many events planned for this autumn, which has just begun, in the lower Valtellina area: first among them are the food festivals and events celebrating the territory's prestigious local produce. Coming up in the valley are Degusta Morbegno, Sapori d'autunno in val Masino, Formaggi in piazza, and the Mostra del Bitto. Alongside a taste-led break, you could also try one of the most evocative walking routes in this part of Valtellina: la via dei terrazzamenti (the terrace trail). This is a path situated on the sunniest slope of Valtellina, the Rhaetian Alps side, at an altitude of between 300 and 700 metres, linking Morbegno to Tirano and telling the story of the remarkable human endeavour that succeeded in making the hillsides of these mountains cultivable – hillsides that now host the terraced vineyards from which the prized Valtellina wines are produced. Indeed, viticulture in Valtellina is often called "heroic winemaking" for precisely this reason.
As well as taking in the beauty of the landscape, walking the 70 kilometres of la via dei terrazzamenti you can discover an immense cultural heritage: churches, prehistoric sites, rural cellars, farm stays and ancient villages.