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Traces of long-ago in Val di Sole

Pedal deep into the history of the valley

Before climbing onto the saddle and getting to grips with the Do-Ga tourist cycling route, we recommend exploring a little in the area around Malé, in Val di Sole, the first stage of your itinerary.

 

From Malé to Val Meledrio

You can set off from the town centre, where you’ll find the Fucina Marinelli, an ancient forge dating back to the eighteenth century. You’ll be able to see how the water from the Rabbies river has been ingeniously channelled to power the trip hammer (dated 1834) via a hydraulic pump. Today, the forge is only active for educational purposes.

After this stop, take the cycle route towards Dimaro. Val di Sole is ideal for travelling by bike, as it offers an almost completely flat stretch from east to west until it meets Val Meledrio.

This is also the location another interesting site: the Venetian Mill, a masterpiece of hydraulic and mechanical engineering. Used from the time of the Republic of Venice, it consists of a wheel 65 cm in diameter which requires water flowing at a rate of around 95 litres per second to move. The mill remained in use until 1960, processing wood taken from the forests of Val di Sole: the very same forests which you will encounter as you climb towards Costa Rotian, in the direction of Campiglio.

The Do-Ga cycling route: Val di Sole

From Monclassico to the Carlo Magno Pass

Before embarking on the climb that will take you to the Carlo Magno Pass, the Do-Ga cycling route passes through the town of Monclassico. Since 2002, many artists have worked in collaboration with the association “Le Meridiane” (The Sundials) to embellish the walls of homes here with over 50 sundials, skilfully combining the art of painting with astronomical science. This means that as you weave through the streets of the town on your bike, you’ll always know exactly what time it is! This tradition has made Monclassico an unmissable stop.

The Do-Ga cycling route: Val di Sole

The time has now come to climb to the highest point of the Do-Ga cycling route: the Carlo Magno Pass, where you can admire the Brenta Dolomite group.

From the forests of Val Meledrio (travel by e-bike if you're not an experienced cyclist), you can glimpse the great limestone walls of the less-visited Brenta mountains to the north. Steep valleys and huge piles of scree slope down, coming to a sudden halt on the plain that lies parallel to your route.

The road begins to level out, the forest grows thinner, and before you the entire spectacle of the Brenta peaks is revealed. This marks the end of the climb, and you can enjoy a relaxing break in the meadows of the Carlo Magno Pass at an altitude of 1,682 m.

Discover the full Do-Ga route

Discover the full Do-Ga route

BY BIKE
Published on 06/06/2023

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