San Defendente
Description
Normally, long asphalt climbs on mountain bike tours are the necessary "evil" to get to the start of the single trail. But not on the tour to Sasso di San Defendente. The first few meters to Bellano lead along the lakeside road, followed by the little-used mountain road to Gittana with a first-class view of Lake Como. Finally, you head from Bologna into the wild and romantic valley of Esino Lario. The village is the stopover on the way up to the Passo di Agueglio. 900 meters of altitude difference have to be mastered this way on the road. The detour to the Passo di Agueglio is worth it for the view, although a singletrail branches off shortly beforehand, on which you climb the last stretch up to the Sasso di San Defendente. The bike has to be pushed for about a hundred meters in altitude and sometimes carried for a short distance. However, the view from the inconspicuous summit is formidable - just like the singletrail descent ahead. This always rides along the ridge, challenging in sections at the beginning, then becoming smoother and faster. After crossing a road, the trail becomes even more fun, as the local mountain bikers are clearly doing their bit to maintain the trail. Follow the ridge unabated until the path to Biosio branches off to the left. The small village with the chapel is the starting point for the final section of the tour. To do this, follow the historic access path to the chapel as far as the center of Bellano.
Map & GPX-Track
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Details of the tour
26 km
1345 m
1345 m
207 above sea level
1301 above sea level
1 day
Bellano
Bellano
1780
limited
More information
More tours nearby
User comments (4)
About the author: Thomas Giger
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.
Rode on 12.2.23 - some of the leaves were knee-high on steep, blocked trails. In terms of riding technique, this is a real challenge if you can't see the ground.
At the beginning, you shouldn't be afraid of trails next to steep walls.
With the e-bike, the carrying section was very tough, it probably wouldn't have been possible on my own.
Nevertheless, a great enduro tour that can be recommended to experienced bikers.
I rode the trail last year on 09.09.2021. As described, pleasant exit on a road with little traffic and always great views. The panorama at the summit is fantastic. As ride-r has already written, the trail is a bit exposed at the beginning and always has steeper passages in the forest. But the trail is really fun. A tour that is absolutely worthwhile in terms of scenery and trail technique.
Great views, spectacular & exposed summit ridge path. Afterwards in the forest, the path is often (too) steep, which then leads to a permanent braking action on the forest floor/roots, and thus to corresponding path damage.
Unfortunately, the lower part is not really well maintained (leaves, branches, large stones). But the potential for good trails would certainly be there...
Tour ridden on May 30, 2021 at the Ride Camp. Top scenery, the downhill trail too. Since the last ride two years ago, however, it has become a little more washed out and therefore more technical than back then. But still a top tour.