Croce della Reit

Croce della Reit (Bormio)

There are countless trail options around Bormio, the famous summer and winter sports resort in Valtellina. One particularly rewarding, technically varied and not too long loop is the circuit over the Croce della Reit - with impressive views and a classic hairpin bend descent.

Description

The starting point is the picturesque old town of Bormio. From here, you pedal eastwards along the slope on asphalt and later on gravel and forest paths - the uphill on the southern slopes of Monte Reit starts gently but soon becomes steeper. The dense network of paths allows for several variations, but the steepness should not be underestimated.

After crossing a small stream over a wooden bridge, there is a section on an old mule track. From here, the ascent is only possible by pushing or carrying - an alpine passage, but with a magnificent view: at the top, at around 2200 meters above sea level, at the Croce della Reit, the view opens up far over the valley, to Bormio and as far as the Swiss border area.

The descent is a highlight for hairpin bend fans. Technically, it ranges between S1 and S2, with the focus clearly on the numerous hairpin bends. Some of them can be ridden smoothly, others require a clean technique or shifting the rear wheel - especially when roots come into play. In between, there are always flowing sections to take a deep breath. At around 1450 meters above sea level, you come to a crossroads that leads back eastwards. Over a few final, easy trail sections, you finally roll back to Bormio in a relaxed manner.

Note for E-MTBs: The tour is also easily doable with a light e-MTB. However, in the upper section - as the track shows - pushing and carrying sections must be expected.

To view the detailed tour description, the topo map, the altitude profile and to download the GPX track, you need a user account on Ride-mtb.com with a subscription. Log in now or become a subscriber.