Castaneda
Description
From Roveredo, you reach San Vittore on the main road and take the mountain road to Giona at the end of the village. In a left-hand bend above the mountain village of Giona, turn right onto a singletrail, which initially rides smoothly along the altitude, but then becomes technically challenging as it leads to the village of Fontana. Less experienced mountain bikers will have to push their bikes a few meters here. A small road takes you to the small reservoir at the entrance to the Calanca Valley. Follow the main road out of the valley, but then turn off towards Castaneda and finally reach the village of Sta. Maria with its impressively situated church. The descent is on a tricky trail to Vardabbio and from there along a Roman path to Cama. You return to Roveredo via Grono along the Veloland route.
Alternatives:
- From Castaneda, take the trail directly to Verdabbio (skip the ascent to Santa Maria)
- Start the tour in Bellinzona and ride along the Veloland route to Roveredo
Map & GPX-Track
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Details of the tour
29 km
1160 m
1160 m
278 above sea level
1059 above sea level
1 day
Roveredo
Roveredo
1185
well suited
More tours nearby
User comments (6)
About the author: Thomas Giger
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.
Conclusion: From the point of view of a downhill-oriented enduro biker, this route makes no sense. Better to go straight up from the valley to St. Maria and look for an alternative for the second half of the descent. The descent in the upper part is difficult because it is rather damp and there is a lot of foliage, from the halfway point it is only a Roman path - boring. By the way, there is also a Posti riding up ;)
Rode from just above Sta. Maria to Grono today. Trail to Sta. Maria challenging as described, made even more difficult with all the foliage. No cycling on the Roman road to Cama. Out of respect, this should not be ridden on.
We did this tour at the end of May. There were no more forestry workers in the woods :-)
So the route is free again. I also don't find the route dangerous, as described in a comment.
I really enjoyed the route. The descent from Santa Maria to Verdabbio was particularly challenging. Partly with pushing passages - typical for this area. Very beautiful scenery and the best part was down in the valley - the route passes right next to the grottos in Cama, where it's a great place to linger.
I tried to ride the tour on February 8th, but shortly after you turn into the trail after a good 700m asphalt ascent, unfortunately the foresters are at work (logging) with a lot of material and ropes in the way. I left it and went back down the front, there are some nice trails there but it's still a shame! Trails are extremely dry at the moment and very rideable...
I really enjoyed the tour! Thx Ride! Here is a video for a little insight: https://youtu.be/nPapx1xyhNY
The tour is rated both on SwitzerlandMobility and on the Swiss Singletrail Map as 3 (out of 3) or black (blue/red/black) and has absolutely nothing to do with 3 (out of 6). Long pushing and carrying passages, both downhill (steep gravel stream bed) and uphill are super tiring and annoying. Sometimes there are exposed passages along a rocky edge, which are secured by rotten wooden railings or not secured at all, even directly in the hairpin bends, and the slightest riding mistake can be fatal. Even pushing is no fun, especially when the mossy granite slabs are still wet.
Not a fun tour and completely misjudged and dangerous. The beautiful views on the ascent are little consolation for the overall impression. If you want to have fun, you should be able to ride at least a full 5. Even if the situation doesn't allow you to fall.... :-/