The magic of the ancient larches trail on mountain bike.
A very panoramic route that starts from the valley floor and, first ascending on asphalt road and then on dirt road, takes us to the ancient larches trail. From here starts a long single track of about 9 km and 1000 m of downhill elevation all to ride down to the valley floor.
Beautiful view of the valley and the Dolomites of Brenta. It crosses an ancient forest where several ancient larches tower with their majesty. You can see a larch over 700 years old.
Adjust your speed according to your technical skills.
As you can imagine, the passability of routes in a mountain environment is strictly linked to current conditions and therefore depends on natural phenomena, environmental changes, and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this sheet may have changed. Before setting off, check the route status by contacting tourist offices.
The route starts at the intersection of S.S. 42 with provincial road no. 140 for Termenàgo-Ortisé-Menàs. The intersection is easily reachable from the nearby towns of Mezzana or Pellizzano via the cycle path until you reach a detour leading to the Noce river, which you cross (Pont de le Caore) to reach the intersection. Then take provincial road no. 140. It is an asphalt road, little used, which among wide largely uncultivated grass terraces, climbs significantly past the villages of Termenàgo (passing beside the old bell tower from 1322 and then at the foot of the stairway leading to the 'new' church from 1850), Castèllo (with its typical battlemented bell tower from 1500), Ortisé (1,477 m) arriving at Menas (1,517 m).
The place offers a spectacular view over Val di Sole and the villages of the valley floor, Passo Tonale, the mountains of the distant Brenta group, and the imposing Presanella Group.
After the village, at a junction take the dirt road on the right which first is flat then climbs to reach Malga del Monte Bassa. Another stretch on dirt road to reach the start of the ancient larches trail. A short push section and follow the trail that runs alongside ancient and majestic larches.
Then starts the descent with a technical and long single track (in the central part it crosses a comfortable dirt road... be careful at the hairpin turn to take the small road on the left) until reaching Mestriago. The route ends with the comfortable cycle path.
Possibility to use the Trentino Trasporti bus up to Ortisè.
From Bergamo-Brescia: follow the SS42 del Tonale.
From Bologna-Verona and the Brenner: A22 Brenner exit Trento Nord if coming from the south, exit San Michele all’Adige if coming from the north. Continue towards Cles, Val di Non, along SS43 and, after passing Cles, take SS42 towards Passo del Tonale, Val di Sole.
Multiple free parking spots in Val di Sole. The closest are in Mezzana near the sports center or Pellizzano near the sports field.
We always recommend carrying a repair kit: inner tube, pump, sealant, patches, and a set of tools for quick repairs.
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