The Cima d’Asta Loop is a two-day mixed-terrain bikepacking ride around Cima d’Asta, the highest peak of Lagorai, a small mountain range in Italy’s northeastern Alps, which are less famous and crowded than the nearby Dolomites but equally fascinating for their wild landscapes…
The Cima d’Asta Loop is the most logical overnighter loop in the magnificent Lagorai mountain range. The route is mainly on secondary and unpaved roads, with the highpoint at 5 Croci Pass, in view of the majestic Cima d’Asta. After the lower Brocon Pass, it goes back to the Valsugana Valley using flowy and fun singletrack trails.
In summary, the route starts very close to the city of Trento where you can begin the day with an espresso in the scenic old town, ride out to enjoy a starry night in the wild mountain environment, and then return the next afternoon to watch the sunset with a fresh beer on Lake Caldonazzo.
The climb starts in Valsugana Valley, traversing Campelle Valley on steep and shady secondary roads until Conseria Bridge. Here, a gravel road keeps climbing through dense woods and wide lawns where horses and cows graze peacefully. Right before the end of the climb, Malga Conseria is the perfect place to take a break, have a beer, or enjoy a local lunch—or just a slice of their delicious peach pie. Ten more minutes of climbing on the loose gravel road lead up to 5 Croci Pass, the highest point of the ride at 2,070 meters, offering a majestic view of Cima d’Asta’s peak. Shortly after the pass, the road, now flat and flowy, runs along Malga Valcion. There, you’ll find a rustic (and quite dirty) shelter with a fountain, which is also a good place to stay dry in case of a sudden shower.
After that, the route begins a long descent on a dirt road that leads to Bivacco Sucede at 1,537 meters, a five-star shelter that makes a great place to spend the night. It’s big, comfortable, clean, and equipped with a fountain, a huge open fireplace, lots of dry wood, and some mattresses to sleep on.
The second day starts with an easy descent along Vanoi Creek through the Cia Valley, where the signs of the 2018 Vaia windstorm can still be seen. The last long, winding, and gentle climb ends at the decadent Brocon Pass, where the fun begins: the longest downhill, from raw dirt road at first to flowy singletrack.
Right at the end of the downhill, a dive into Salton Waterfalls’ clear and cold waters is a must.
ROUTE DIFFICULTY
Our difficulty rating is based on a summer mountain bike tour. Riding it off-season or on a different bike could make it more difficult. The tour doesn’t involve any technical sections, and the length and elevation gain are not extreme, but the loop goes through mountain landscapes where the weather can be a variable. During winter and spring, 5 Croci Pass is covered in snow and probably not ridable. In the summer, the loop is full of support points where you can eat/sleep without carrying the camping gear, but we definitely recommend sleeping at the shelters to have the full experience.
Contributors:
FRANCESCO AND DENIS
Long-time friends and mountain enthusiasts, based in Trentino, Italy, Francesco Bonvecchio and Denis Sassudelli discovered cycling a few years ago, first through road touring, and then MTB bikepacking to truly enjoy the mountain environment of their homeland. The two also share a passion for route planning and storytelling. Denis never leaves home without his camera and Francesco often translates the tours into graphic maps and illustrations (@bonvecchiofrancesco).
