Between the bulwark of the Presanella group with its ice reserves at over 3,500 metres above sea level and the equally high, vertical Dolomite walls of the Brenta, we head straight south today. From the bottom of the Meledrio valley, you wouldn't believe that you could even conquer these rocky fortresses on the right and left by bike. But it is possible - if you just want to and invest enough energy ...
The Val di Sole offers five kilometres to warm up, then the wild Meledrio valley branches off to the south. A rather high-percentage gravel road sets course for the Passo Campo Carlo (1680 m), which stoically awaits 1000 metres further up. On the way there, dense forest provides shade, but there are also a few root ramps with a short interlude of pushing. This can also be quite relaxing on such a long climb.
When you reach the top of the pass, you feel very close to the Brenta walls. However, the route now descends into the valley, winding through the streets of the fashionable ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio and losing 500 metres in altitude until shortly after Plazza. These then have to be painstakingly picked up again in Val d'Agola. A zigzagging gravel road takes you up the green base of the Brenta. A short flat section by the lake, then on to the trail. However, the fun is limited at first: 300 metres of pushing and carrying - up to the Passo Bregn de l'Ors (Bear Pass), where the mood barometer explodes again.
Directly behind the alpine meadows of Malga Movlina, the highest Brenta towers rise into view. Without a race number on your handlebars, you can plop down on the grass up here and maybe even see a pair of golden eagles circling in the sky while having a picnic.
Only the racers have to hurry if they are technically experienced, because for 18 kilometres it's mostly downhill. First on wide alpine paths where overtaking is still possible, then on a steep forest path down the Val d'Algone and finally 600 metres of rooty downhill on a zigzag trail from Casarole to the banks of the Sarca. Exactly! The river that has a completely ascent-free route to Lake Garda - so all you would need is a small boat ...
But hey, the 300 metres in altitude to the stage finish in Roncone in the Valle del Chiese don't make up for it today.
The Val d'Algone simply had to be included in the anniversary route. Its rough, earthy forest paths have already been part of the Transalp twice, but each time in muddy condition. This time we're hoping for good weather and a correspondingly grippy descent - Marc Schneider, route manager of the BIKE Transalp
More articles about our BIKE Transalp 2023:
Info stage 5 to follow - from Malè to Valle del Chiese
The fifth stage makes its way directly from the Val di Sole through the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park. Both 3000 metre massifs offer only a few access points for mountain bikers. That's why it looks rather bad here with shortcuts for riders. Theoretically, you could skip the detour over the Passo Bregn de l'Ors (1836 m) and simply continue on the valley cycle path from Madonna di Campiglio to the stage finish in Roncone. This would save almost 1000 metres in altitude, but at the same time ruin the overall scenic experience of this stage. So we can only advise you: Bite your way up the 300 metre ascent, it's worth it! Unless it rains. If the Brenta towers are stuck in the clouds and the trails in Val d'Algone mutate into mud slides, it's actually better to make the most of your time in a cosy trattoria in Valle del Chiese.
Alternative
At Malga Mondifrà, shortly before the Passo Campo Carlo, the somewhat rough gravel ascent to the Rifugio Graffer branches off to the left - a classic Transalp route that climbs another 700 metres up to the spectacular rocky region of the Brenta. You could spend the night up here and set off the next morning via Vallesinella (challenging trail) and past waterfalls to Passo Bregn de l'Ors.
Refreshment tips
The Malga Mondifrà is well worth a stop before setting off on the Brenta climbs.
Destination Valle del Chiese
The region lies in the more hidden corners of Trentino, but together with the Valli Giudicarie it turns out to be a rewarding, extremely trail-rich biking area. Transalp pope Uli Stanciu presents the best tours on his portal bike-gps.com.
Abbreviations & variants
If you want or need to shorten the stage, cycle from Madonna di Campiglio on the old road to the left of the state road downhill to Pinzolo, then on the cycle path through Val Rendena to Tione, where the shortcut rejoins the route. The stage experience in the face of the Brenta is lost, but this shortcut is advisable in bad weather.
The stage as a short trip
For a day trip, it makes sense to shorten the stage a little. After the descent into Val Rendena near Tione, the route does not continue into the Chiese Valley, but instead follows the cycle path in Val Rendena to Pinzolo/Carisolo. From here, the bicibus takes you via Madonna di Campiglio back to Val di Sole to Dimaro, which is only a few kilometres away from Malé on the cycle path.
The stage as part of a circular tour
If you cycle back from Roncone to Val Rendena near Tione, you will return to the Dolomiti Brenta Bike routes and can continue in an anti-clockwise direction. A tour around the massive block of the Brenta is a multi-day experience full of scenic surprises.
Do not miss
The Malga Movlina after the Passo Bregn da l'Ors offers good prospects for the title of "Most beautiful place of the entire Transalp". If you are planning a break, you should stop here. The mountain pasture is not serviced. However, you could buy a snack in Madonna di Campiglio. To the east, the walls of the Brenta are close enough to touch in the sky. To the west, the Adamello massif rises above the Val Rendena, with the 3463 metre high Carè Alto, the highest peak. This is a place of power to pause for a moment.
Cycling & Events
The 9th Dolomitica Brenta Bike Marathon starts in Pinzolo on 24 June 2023. On 4 June, racing cyclists can tackle the region's mountain passes in the Top Dolomites Granfondo. The start is in Madonna di Campiglio.
BIKE Transalp 2023: Registration
Are you still thinking about switching from tour to race mode? The 25th BIKE Transalp takes place from 9 - 15 July 2023 and costs from 1299 euros per person (U23 riders 1099 euros) for the basic package including race organisation, luggage and bike service, stage catering, medical care and much more. All details about the race, information and registration: bike-transalp.de
Download GPS data
For all those who would like to ride the 25th BIKE Transalp as a tour, we offer the GPS data for download. Now here the GPX tracks the entire BIKE Transalp 2023 (stage 1-7) download free of charge >>
