12V Dervio-Premana | Altolagocomo Bike

The route runs through the Valvarrone and is challenging. It starts from Dervio, which can be reached by car via Provincial Road 72 that scenically crosses the towns on the eastern shore of Lake Como, halfway between Lecco and Colico, or from State Road 36 Milan-Lecco with the Dervio exit; there is parking in Via Santa Cecilia; the Dervio train station is on the Milan-Lecco-Sondrio-Tirano line (80 km from Milan). It starts by going up from the Dervio lakefront, following the sign for Tremenico. Valvarrone is the most rugged and scenic part of the eastern shore of the Lario; Mount Legnone, which divides it from Valtellina, is the highest peak in the Lecco area, on the collar below Mount Legnoncino. The ruggedness of the places did not stop an early human settlement, due to metallurgical workings in the Valvarrone Mines, of Premana. Along Valvarrone's SP67 road, one first encounters the Derviese hamlet of Castello, a lovely cluster of houses dominated by the tower of Orezia Castle. Then, pass through the villages of Vestreno, Sueglio, Introzzo and Tremenico, with the still functioning mine clearly visible at the bottom of the Varrone gorge, and the nearby hamlet of Avano with an interesting nucleus of well-preserved rural houses. At many points on the ascent there are wonderful views of upper Lake Como. The stretch of road winding through the woods leads to Pagnona, and then coming up to the junction for Premana, the 18 km of ascent just completed is overcome. To get to the village, world-famous for its handicrafts, especially in the manufacture of blades and cutlery, you need to keep to the left and continue for 1 km uphill. The finish is in the church square at 951m asl.

A new cycle network has been created in the Upper Lake Como area. There are 23 routes in two large areas along the lake's shores, for a total of 380 kilometers. Two routes are for beginners, 10 for intermediates, 8 for advanced cyclists, and 3 for experts. The difficulty scale and route tracking were verified by CAI experts, and an international evaluation standard was adopted in agreement with the Lombardy Region.

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Along the routes, there are many panoramic points where you can admire the stunning beauty of Lake Como. The app provides all the information you need to safely navigate the routes, including directions to equipped areas, places of art and culture to visit, and events scheduled in the towns along the chosen route. You can also watch videos of the best panoramic views.

THE CYCLE ROUTES OF THE WESTERN NORTH LAKE COMO - There are 8 new routes at mid-mountain and high altitude, for a total length of 134 kilometers. The routes connect to existing connections between mountain towns and lakeside towns, where there is already a cycle path. The routes start in Sorico and pass through Montemezzo, Vercana, Trezzone, Livo, Peglio, Dosso del Liro, Gravedona ed Uniti, Stazzona, Dongo, Garzeno, Pianello del Lario, Musso, and end in Cremia.

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THE CYCLE ROUTES IN THE VALSASSINA - There are 15 routes that allow you to climb from the lake to the Valsassina and Valvarrone, taking advantage of the trails on Mount Legnoncino; the loop circuits in the North Valsassina; the connections with the Valsassina cycle path; and the routes of the Val d'Esino.

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WHAT ARE INTERNAL AREAS AND THE "UPPER LAKE COMO AND VALLI DEL LARIO" STRATEGY? - The "North Lake Como and Valli del Lario" Area Strategy was launched in 2018 as part of the National Strategy for Internal Areas 2014/2020. It involved 31 municipalities in the Valsassina, Valvarrone, Val d'Esino, and Riviera (Lecco) communities and the Valli del Lario and Ceresio communities (Como). The National Strategy for Internal Areas (SNAI) is a strategic plan designed to enhance and develop internal areas, which are often characterized by challenges such as depopulation, lack of services, and fewer economic opportunities. The goal is to promote the sustainable development of these areas by investing in infrastructure, services, the local economy, and the preservation of cultural and natural resources. The "Upper Lake Como and Valli del Lario" Area Strategy, implemented in the period 2018/2023, has made it possible to implement 31 projects for a total of 20 million euros, of which 5,285,000 euros were used to promote interventions to recover and enhance the heritage and to strengthen the cycle and hiking routes between the lake and the valleys.

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