Monte Confinale

Those tackling the tour to Monte Confinale and Bivacco Del Piero Giampaolo should be at the top of their game in terms of fitness and trail technique. In return, one of the most scenic, alpine tours in Valtellina awaits - raw, challenging and impressive.

Description

The starting point is Santa Caterina Valfurva. The idyllic village is quickly left behind and the ascent begins on asphalt towards Rifugio Forni. The ascent is a varied gradient, flattening out from time to time before changing to gravel. Shortly afterwards, you turn off onto Sentiero 575 towards Lago della Manzina - a scenic high-level trail with increasingly rough sections.

After Lago della Manzina, the route becomes increasingly alpine and challenging. The path loses its contour, orientation becomes more difficult and by now at the latest you should memorize the key points and lines. The last section to the Bivacco Del Piero Giampaolo (at 3180 meters above sea level) is a very steep carrying passage where alpine experience and surefootedness are also required. At the top, you are rewarded with a first-class panorama - with views of the Ortler, the Cevedale massif and the surrounding high peaks. If you still have reserves, you can reach Monte Confinale (3370 m) on foot without a bike via the east ridge - but this is definitely not recommended with a bike.

The descent from Bivacco is technically difficult throughout (S3-S4). Some passages are not rideable, the bike has to be pushed or carried. In the rugged, bouldery terrain, the route is sometimes difficult to recognize - absolute attention is required. From Lago della Manzina, things become smoother: the trail now runs at S2-S3 level and later joins Sentiero 527, which is much easier to ride at S1-S2. The 571A finally takes you back to Santa Caterina.

Conclusion: A very alpine and challenging high-end tour that is unparalleled in terms of scenery - but is only recommended for experienced, very well-prepared bikers with a high level of surefootedness, technique and stamina.

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