The Oglio River cycle route
It was the winner of the 2019 edition of the Italian Green Road Award for cycling tourism, the ‘Ciclovia del Fiume Oglio‘ in Lombardy, offers a route of over 280 kilometres between the provinces of Brescia, Bergamo, Cremona and Mantua, 1,883 metres the starting altitude at Passo Tonale, 21 metres the arrival altitude at Ponte di Barche in San Matteo delle Chiaviche, 1,862 metres the difference in altitude, 70% of the route is asphalt and 30% is dirt track.
It is a project born from the collaboration between the Lombardy region, the province of Brescia, three mountain communities and two regional parks. It is a cycle route that enhances gentle and sustainable mobility in the Lombardy region, where one pedals on stretches of embankment, farm roads and old state roads, on a route equipped with signs.
With such an extensive length, it is normal that the scenery also changes, as there are so many things to go and see that are worth a stop. Starting with the Naquane Rock Engravings Park, in Capo di Ponte (Brescia), whose value has been recognised by Unesco, which has included it among the World Heritage sites: 104 engraved rocks, in a story in images from the Neolithic to the Iron Age.
From Capo di Ponte one descends to Breno, Darfo Boario Terme, Pisogne, and then to Lake Iseo. Along the eastern shore of the lake basin you cross the beautiful scenic road converted into a cycle path, from Toline to Vello. Then on through the towns of Marone, Sale Marasino, Sulzano, to Iseo. To reach the southern Oglio River, the route skirts the Torbiere del Sebino nature reserve, crossing the gates of the Lombardy Po Valley through one of Italy’s best-known sparkling wine areas, Franciacorta.
The cycle path runs along three regional parks: the Adamello, the Oglio nord and the Oglio sud: it passes from vegetation growing between rock faces, and through coniferous forests to chestnut and ash trees, and then through wooded reserves and wetlands.
After travelling along the mountain section, the Oglio River reaches the Po Valley and flows into the Sebino, skirting Franciacorta, and is a succession of suggestions: Capriolo, Torre Pallavicina, Soncino, Bompensiero, Monasterolo di Robecco d’Oglio.
The Oglio Sud Park smells of cultivated fields and a few lonely farmsteads, follows the slow movement of the river, the peace of the countryside interrupted by the trampling of horses, the occasional bellow and the swift run of hares, and further on the flamingos. All stopped in a serene stillness that carries the Oglio in its final stretch towards the embrace with the majestic Po.
An experience to try starting from one of the structures of the Luxury Bike Hotel collection.
Courtesy photo: davide bassanesi archivio Parco della Ciclovia del Fiume Oglio; Marco Trabucchi per GQItalia2019 (Pinterest)
