L8 - Dongo – Pianello – Curtesela – Tegano

This mountain bike loop is a challenging ride that takes you through the hills and valleys of the Lake Como region. The route starts and ends in the town of Dongo, where it is recommended to visit the Museum of the End of the War. This loop features a variety of challenging sections, including climbs on asphalt, mountain roads, mule tracks and trails characterized by tight bends and significant slopes. Starting from Dongo, take the road to Musso. Once you have passed through the town of Musso, you will reach Pianello del Lario, where you will start an uphill climb towards the Monti di Dacca. The first part of the route is on a 4-km asphalt road, then you will continue on a trail that crosses the valley of the Musso Stream. Here you will rejoin the agro-silvo-pastoral road that leads to the Monti di Labbio. From this point, the route features winding curves, unpaved stretches and trails until you reach the Bocchetta di San Bernardo. The climb continues to the church located on the grassy slope of Monte Bregagno, which is the highest point. This is the perfect place to admire the magnificent view. The descent is characterized by very steep sections on trails and mountain roads. You will start from Sasso di Musso to descend towards Monte Cortesello, crossing the grassy ridge above Sasso di Musso and passing through the Lami Rosso Stream. During the route, there are numerous stream crossings, so it is advisable to be careful of the high water levels, especially after periods of rain or snow. Some sections of the trail can be exposed and characterized by significant slopes. The bottom of the route is irregular, at times rocky. The descent continues in the valley of the Lami Rosso Stream and towards the alpine pastures of Mutadello and Guaggio. It is important to follow the GPS track carefully, when, shortly after the locality of Guaggio di Sopra, you will need to take a road that turns right to access the trail that leads to the localities of Costa and Tegano. This section also features very steep and steep slopes, with a continuous up and down along the ridge. The return to Dongo is comfortable on paved roads. Along the entire route, it is possible to refill water. The ascent in an e-bike is recommended, without the assistance of the engine, this route can be extremely challenging in the steepest sections.

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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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