STAGE 2: Berbenno – Sondrio (14.3 km)

We start from the village of Berbenno, beautifully set among the terraces of the Rhaetian slope and rich in medieval history and art, including Roccascissa Castle, the Torre dei Capitanei and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. With slight gradients, it takes 2 km to reach the built-up area of Polaggia, upstream from Berbenno and located on a wide plateau, characterized by narrow alleys and picturesque views. Another 2 km slightly uphill leads to the village of Postalesio, from which the reserve of the eponymous “Pyramids” can be reached.

The vast areas planted with vines continue to accompany the ride until we reach Castione Andevenno, a favored center for the production of grisùn wine. Proceeding in the direction of Sondrio, the vast production area of the Sassella wine, where the vineyard landscape manifests itself in one of its most typical and spectacular expressions: the scarcity of soil preserved on the rock led to the creation of short dry stone walls that support equally cramped spaces. A few vines grow here lined up in neat rows, while improbable-looking ladders allow passage from one terrace to another. Among impervious terraces, the route passes through small villages and enters the city of Sondrio by crossing the Mallero stream.

Length: 14 km
Height difference in ascent: 300 m
Downhill elevation gain: 400 m
Highest point: 560 m
Lowest point: 321 m
Type of surface: mixed

Municipality of departure: Berbenno di Valtellina
Place of departure: Berbenno di Valtellina
Municipality of arrival: Sondrio
Place of arrival: Sondrio

Recommended period:
All year round

Useful links:
http://www.altarezia.eu

The Terrace Trail is a route suitable for all bike lovers. Just over 70 km long, it runs through the Lower and Middle Valtellina and takes its name from the long rows of vines encountered on the way, with impressive visual impact. But in addition to vineyards and striking natural vistas, the Via dei Terrazzamenti offers a path of slow tourism, entering the most characteristic villages, discovering artisan workshops and stores of typical products, restaurants, wine stores and orchards. This local and cultural heritage is enriched even more by the remarkable monuments, churches, works of art and prehistoric sites along the Route.

The Via dei Terrazzamenti, which is maintained at an elevation between 300 and 800 meters (also on unpaved dirt roads), can be traveled in both directions in all seasons, but try to avoid the hottest summer days. Those who wish to tackle the Via consecutively can stay overnight at various locations along the route, while bus and rail connections allow return to the starting point for those who prefer to travel the individual stages in one day.

Credits gpx: Altarezia.eu and Distretto culturale della Valtellina
Credits ph: Luca Arzuffi, Jacopo Merizzi, Marco Brigatti, Ugo Zecca, Paola Balatti, Massimo Mandelli, Tamara Della Vedova and Fondazione Cariplo