Stage 5: From Aprica to Castione della Presolana
The Bergamo Alps stretch between the eponymous Bergamo in the south and the Valtellina with Sondrio and Tirano in the north. Aprica, the starting point of this stage, also clings to the northern edge of this mountain region. It is bordered to the west by Lake Como and to the east by Lake Iseo and the Valcamonica. This is a large and unspoilt mountain region through which there are few roads. And if there is a road, it is a small, winding road like the one over the Passo del Vivione. With every metre you crank up into the mountains, the feeling of being closer to the end of the world grows. There is only one direct north-south connection through this Alpine region, the Passo di San Marco further west. The Vivione, on the other hand, first digs its way in from the side to open up the Bergamo Alps in a south-westerly direction.
The pass connects two worlds. To the east lies the wide Val Camonica, which is connected to the motorways near Brescia in the south by a dual carriageway. This is a lively valley with commercial areas along the main artery and the tourist strongholds on the chic Lago d'Iseo. Things are much quieter in the Valle di Scalve on the other side of the Passo Vivione. When you're not whizzing down the road on your bike, you can go hiking or climbing in the mountains to completely forget the hustle and bustle and stress. The absolute haven of peace is just a few steps away when you leave the valley road.
TOUR Transalp 2022 makes a stop in Dorga
Once you reach Schilpario, the main town in the Valle di Scialve, there is a little more life again and soon a road leads out into the Val Camonica. However, the descent from Dezzo di Scalve to Boario Terme is not recommended for cyclists due to the many dark tunnels. So you take a detour via the Passo della Presolana, which now leads further south-west into Val Seriana - with the destination Castione della Presolana. Strictly speaking, the finish of this stage is in Dorga, a village in the municipality of Castione.
From the pass down, you get the feeling for the first time that this large mountain region is finite and that you can leave it again in a southerly direction. The sun has enough space in this wide valley to unfold its heating effect all day long. And indeed, it is only around 40 kilometres from here to the plain of Bergamo. However, you have not yet completely escaped the mountains here, as the broad ridge of the Presolana towers over the valley. A painter could not have placed this peak, the highest in this part of the Bergamo Alps at 2,521 metres, more beautifully in the landscape - a mighty grey wall above green hills with forests and meadows and small villages in sunny spots.
You are sure to find a sunny spot at the finish, where you can treat yourself to an espresso or aperitif at the end. After all, the valley is open to the south, spoilt by a warm breeze and you hardly notice that you are still around 1,000 metres above sea level in Castione.
You can stop off here
The route leads past the centre of Edolo on the outskirts of the village, but if you feel hungry and thirsty, you will find plenty of bars and cafés on a detour into the village. At the top of Passo Vivione is the Rifugio Vivione and on the descent into the Valle di Scalve in an equally beautiful location the Rifugio Cimon Bagozza. There is also a selection of bars and restaurants in Schilpario in Val di Scalve. And the finish of this stage, in the Dorga district of Castione della Presolana, is located in the centre with several bars, restaurants and supermarkets.
Shortcuts / variants to the original route
If you want to avoid the start loop of the TOUR Transalp via Trivigno, you can also start straight downhill to Edolo. From Edolo to Malonno, the Transalp route leads along the state road. Here there is a small pass as an alternative: the Passo di Fletta, which adds an extra 500 metres in altitude after Malonno, but is away from the traffic. From Malonno over the Passo del Vivione into the Val di Scalve and over the Passo della Presolana is then the shortest route to Castione.
The stage as a short trip:
If you want to do the stage in one day, you have to take a taxi back. Here are two addresses: autoservizipresolana.it and autonoleggiopaganessi.it
The stage as part of a round tour (2 to 4 days)
The Bergamo Alps stand like a massive block between Aprica and Castione, making it difficult to plan a round trip. If you want to cycle back from Castione to Aprica, for example, you can take the route of stage 6 to Breno in Val Camonica and then cycle back up the valley to Edolo. Here you have the option of travelling further into the valley and climbing the Passo Mortirolo from the east in Monno. Then follow the route of stage 4 back to Aprica.
Marc Schneider's tip
Black truffles are harvested in the Bergamo region and there is a good chance of finding a restaurant in Castione that serves pasta with fresh truffles, for example, at the right time of year. It's worth asking.
General info
If you want to stay overnight or are looking for other tourist offers, you will find what you are looking for at apricaonline.com and visitpresolana.it. If you need a service, you can contact Presoloana Ski e Bike inform.
The 5th stage from Aprica to Castione della Presolana, 93.93 km and 2,695 metres in altitude.
The GPS data will be available for download on the TOUR website after the TOUR Transalp 2022, which takes place from 19-25 June.
If you are still thinking about switching from Touri to Race mode, you can find all the details about the Everyman Race over the Alps at www.tour-transalp.de.
