9V Anello Esino Lario-Cainallo-Ortanella

The route is a loop along the Biodiversity Trail at the foot of Mount Grignone near Esino Lario in the Alto Lario Lecchese. Esino Lario can be reached from the lake by going up from Varenna and Perledo along the Strada per Esino, or from Valsassina along SP65 Cortenova - Perledo, passing through the magnificent viewpoint of Passo di Agueglio. Free parking lots are on Via alle scuole, Viale Adamello and Via Bertarini near the Grigne Museum. The start is from the central square of Esino Lario. From here, start climbing in the direction of Agueglio Pass, then turn onto the dirt path marked as the "Biodiversity Trail" along State Road 753 in Esino. Continue along a forest road halfway up the hillside until you reach the village of Cainallo. This section has small climbs and descents, with some particularly challenging sections over uneven terrain. Upon reaching Cainallo, it is possible to make a brief stop to admire the surrounding landscape at the Cainallo Refuge. From Cainallo, the route continues in the direction of St. Peter's Church in Ortanella, following technically accessible but physically demanding forest roads and trails. The surrounding environment is typically pre-Alpine, immersed in a beautiful beech forest. From Ortanella, return to Esino passing through the valley of the Esino and Busagna streams, following forest roads that are particularly steep in some sections. It is possible to take a break and recharge electric bikes at Agriturismo Ortanella or at Agriturismo dei cacciatori.

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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