Perched on the border between Italy and Switzerland, Col d’Anzana is the starting point for two seriously stoke-inducing downhills – head right to Prato Valentino before dropping down to Teglio; or swing a left to go straight to the valley floor.
From the station in Tirano, go directly to the border at Piattamala and continue to Campascio. Once there, turn left and follow a smaller paved road to Cavaione, then Pescia Bassa. (If you’re coming by car, you need to leave it here). Now on your bike, follow a gravel track to Pescia Alta for 2.2 km. There’s a mountain hut (Rifugio Anzana) here if you need to reload your energy supplies before following the clearly signposted trail to Col d’Anzana
You’ve got 1,805 vertical metres of descent waiting for you from the Col d’Anzana. It’s a downhill of two halves: the first is a gorgeous traverse that’s big on views, whereas the second half is a really cool mule track down to Frantelone (signposted step 2 at 1,740 metres of elevation). At this point, you can choose between an easier gravel descent down to Lughina or the more testing mule track, which is punctuated with a series of technical hairpins and asks for some steezy bike handling skills all the way down to the vineyards in Villa di Tirano.
INFOPOINT TIRANO
+39 0342 706066
iattirano@valtellinaturismo.com
Tirano has a lot going on in terms of its geography. After all, it’s where Switzerland and Italy meet, where the Aprica and Bernina passes merge, and on the road connecting Milan with the upper part of Valtellina. For a dose of ancient history, quaint old town charm and appealing views of centuries-old buildings, Tirano’s wealth of churches
