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Valle di Blenio Bike (SwitzerlandMobility 387)

Mountain Bike recommended route

Valle di Blenio Bike (SwitzerlandMobility 387)

Mountain Bike · Bellinzona and Valleys
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  • Valle di Blenio Bike
    Valle di Blenio Bike
    Photo: Redesign, Bellinzonese e Alto Ticino Turismo
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    This route links Olivone with Biasca and features many historical and cultural testaments to the valley's past.

    easy
    Distance 26.2 km
    2:20 h
    137 m
    733 m
    907 m
    289 m

    The route winds along the valley floor past numerous testaments to the valley’s history. From Olivone towards Biasca, after passing the small village of Ponto Aquilesco and the hamlet of Aquila along mule tracks and hiking paths you reach the hamlet of Dangio and pass Cima Norma, the old chocolate factory which produced up to 1,500 tonnes of chocolate and employed more than 300 workers in the 1940s and 1950s, making a significant contribution to the valley’s economy in the last century.

    A short rise on a path leads to the hill where the Curterio Castle once stood, although there are no significant remnants of it left today. The Oath of Torre was signed here in 1182, in which the inhabitants of Blenio and Leventina expressed their desire to remain free, with no jurisdiction other than that of the Milanese.

    The route then continues towards Lottigna, home of the Blenio Museum, then descends along a path to the Terme di Acquarossa hot spring, renowned throughout Switzerland as a spa. The current building, which has been closed since 1971, was inaugurated in 1886.

    Continuing along the old Satro road you arrive at the hamlet of Dongio, passing through an area of caves and vineyards, where the «houses of the pagans» can be made out hollowed out of the rocks overlooking the town.

    The route then continues between Motto and Malvaglia on a section of dirt road following the Biasca-Acquarossa railway line, created in 1911 and dismantled in 1973. After passing through the hamlet of Malvaglia you take the end of the path from Legiuna, a floodplain of national importance.

    Author’s recommendation

    For mountain biking, follow the logo indicated on the red signposts: Valle di Blenio Bike no. 387

    Profile picture of Bellinzonese e Alto Ticino Turismo
    Author
    Bellinzonese e Alto Ticino Turismo
    Update: June 17, 2024
    Difficulty
    S1 easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    907 m
    Lowest point
    289 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 21.34%Forested/wild trail 26.42%Path 12.59%Road 39.63%
    Asphalt
    5.6 km
    Forested/wild trail
    6.9 km
    Path
    3.3 km
    Road
    10.4 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Ristorante Casa Greina (Bike friendly)
    Pensione Centrale, (Bike Friendly)
    Casa Lucomagno (Bike Friendly)
    Pineta Saracino (Bike friendly)
    Capanna Gorda (Bike friendly)
    Capanna Quarnei (Bike friendly)
    Ristorante Rubino Megabello (Bike friendly)
    Ristorante La Pernice, (Bike Friendly)
    BP service station, (Bike Friendly)
    Ristoro alpino La Furbeda (Bike friendly)
    Ristoro Sass Malt (Bike friendly)
    B&B Villa Ricordo (Bike friendly)
    B&B Il Calicanto (Bike Friendly)
    Grotto Canvett
    Al Giardinetto (Bike friendly)
    Hotel della Posta (Bike friendly)
    Cascata di Santa Petronilla

    Safety information

     

    • Wear protective gear.
    • Assess your capability accurately.
    • Give hikers right of way.
    • Stay on the trail.
    • Close fence gates.

     

     

     An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted.

    Start

    Olivone
    Coordinates:
    SwissGrid
    2'714'884E 1'154'217N
    DD
    46.529387, 8.936106
    DMS
    46°31'45.8"N 8°56'10.0"E
    UTM
    32T 495099 5152870
    w3w 
    ///crockery.landscape.inspects

    Destination

    Biasca

    Turn-by-turn directions

    The route winds along the valley floor past numerous testaments to the valley’s history. From Olivone towards Biasca, after passing the small village of Ponto Aquilesco and the hamlet of Aquila along mule tracks and hiking paths you reach the hamlet of Dangio and pass Cima Norma, the old chocolate factory which produced up to 1,500 tonnes of chocolate and employed more than 300 workers in the 1940s and 1950s, making a significant contribution to the valley’s economy in the last century.

    A short rise on a path leads to the hill where the Curterio Castle once stood, although there are no significant remnants of it left today. The Oath of Torre was signed here in 1182, in which the inhabitants of Blenio and Leventina expressed their desire to remain free, with no jurisdiction other than that of the Milanese.

     

    The route then continues towards Lottigna, home of the Blenio Museum, then descends along a path to the Terme di Acquarossa hot spring, renowned throughout Switzerland as a spa. The current building, which has been closed since 1971, was inaugurated in 1886.

    Continuing along the old Satro road you arrive at the hamlet of Dongio, passing through an area of caves and vineyards, where the «houses of the pagans» can be made out hollowed out of the rocks overlooking the town.

     

    The route then continues between Motto and Malvaglia on a section of dirt road following the Biasca-Acquarossa railway line, created in 1911 and dismantled in 1973. After passing through the hamlet of Malvaglia you take the end of the path from Legiuna, a floodplain of national importance.

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Bus no. 62.131 - Biasca to Olivone or Bus no. 62.136 - Lucomagno Pass to Olivone (from june to october).

    Directions

    Highway A2, exit Biasca then direction Lucomagno until Olivone. Alternative: Lucomagno Pass then direction Biasca until Olivone.

    Parking

    Free parking near the town hall of Olivone.

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'714'884E 1'154'217N
    DD
    46.529387, 8.936106
    DMS
    46°31'45.8"N 8°56'10.0"E
    UTM
    32T 495099 5152870
    w3w 
    ///crockery.landscape.inspects
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

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     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    S1 easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    26.2 km
    Duration
    2:20 h
    Ascent
    137 m
    Descent
    733 m
    Highest point
    907 m
    Lowest point
    289 m
    Public-transport-friendly Cultural/historical interest Linear route Singletrail/Free ride

    Weather at the route's trailhead

    Statistics

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    Features
    Maps and trails
    • 39 Waypoints
    • 39 Waypoints
    • Route
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     km Distance
    : h Duration
     m Ascent
     m Descent
     m Highest point
     m Lowest point