Mountain biking in Valsolda

From Porlezza you follow the road along the lake in the direction of Lugano and at the entrance of the tunnel you follow the disused road that after 1 km comes out again on highway 340. You follow it for 1 km and a half until the village Cima where, from Piazza Peppino and Angelo Selva, you take on the right Via Remo Gozzo. At the end of the street turn left and continue along Via 6 Caduti. Further on, at the crossroads, keep right and continue along via Caravina that after 400 m arrives at the Sanctuary of Caravina that is worth a visit.

When you reach the cemetery, continue along via Santuario that arrives at the hamlet of Cresogno, where you continue along via G. Finali. At the end of the village via G Finali becomes a cobblestone road that rises rapidly and ends in a short flight of steps that leads to the provincial road via Sasso Rosso Dasio. One arrives at the hamlet of Loggio (alt. 377 m) and, just past the school, at the height of the bus stop, one enters the historical center along Via Lucia and Via Galbiati. Go past a flight of steps to reach the church of San Bartolomeo. Here take Via alla Cascata that leads to a beautiful bridge from which you can see a waterfall formed by the Soldo river. Some hairpin bends with cobblestones lead to the hamlet of Puria. Cross the asphalt road and continue uphill along via per S. Rocco.

After a flight of steps, go along the cobbled road that offers a nice view of the hamlet of Castello on the opposite side of the valley. The cobblestones come out on a square and continue straight on the dirt road passing a gully and the Ponte Bizzo. Fifty meters after the bridge, and just before another small bridge, take the mule track n° 7 on the right. At the fork, where there is a small chapel, go straight on. When you reach Camporgna (700 m. altitude) leave the mule track n° 7 to follow on the left the path n° 16. You come out on a dirt road that you follow on the right for about 500 m. and, when you reach a wooden sign with an orange arrow, you take the path on the left. Following the signs, go down along the valley to reach Muzzaglio. Past the small church, at the crossroads, where there is a stone, go on the right towards Castello.

Cross the river on a nice little bridge and follow the cobblestones to reach the cemetery of Castello. From here follow the asphalt road to Puria. From Puria we follow the same road as we came.

Note: It is advisable to visit the beautiful hamlet perched on a rocky spur. In the Middle Ages a castle enclosed the whole village within strong walls, of which the remains of the access doors can still be seen. The church of S. Martino is worthy of note with its vault frescoed in 1697 by Paolo Pagani, a native of Castello. In his ancient residence a museum has been created that highlights the figure of the migrant artists of the valley info. tel. 0344 62427. The church and the museum are open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.