4TH ROUTE: Castionetto – Tirano (18.3 km)

Leaving Castionetto, one crosses the Val Rogna stream, arriving in the locality of Fracia. Here the slope is a succession of small plateaus that are home to clusters of rustic houses among chestnut trees and vineyards: one of these is Vangione, in a panoramic position overlooking the imposing Pizzo Coca group.

Continuing uphill to the east, at km 4 you enter the village of Sant’Antonio: here your gaze is free to sweep over the Orobic slope and the valley floor, which has remained untouched by industrialization in this area. Another 2 km and you reach the highest point of this stage, Teglio (850 m), a charming village that harmoniously combines an enchanting location with a pleasant year-round climate with architecture inspired by patrons over the centuries.

Leaving the village, the Rhaetian slope leaves more and more open space for meadows, fields and forests, and the tenacious vineyards do not abandon the traveler, with the rows running horizontally parallel to the valley near Bianzone. Descending into the built-up area, at km 11, the route offers some ups and downs with a slight elevation gain, until it reaches the gates of Tirano by crossing the Poschiavino canal.

A Tirano concludes this stage, as well as the Terraced Terraces Route, allowing you to discover the city, which is rich in proposals and suggestions: one of all is the Bernina red train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which departs from the local station and, having left Italy, climbs through spectacular landscapes along the Poschiavo valley to St.Moritz.

Length: 18 km
Elevation gain: 560 m
Downhill elevation gain: 690 m
Highest point: 858 m
Lowest point: 417 m
Type of surface: mixed

Municipality of departure: Chiuro
Starting location: Castionetto
Municipality of arrival: Tirano
Place of arrival: Tirano

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