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Northen Lakes cycle route - from Predore to Grumello del Monte |
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The Northern Lakes cycle route is, together with its Southern counterpart, part of a widespread agreement by the Provincial Administrations of Bergamo, Brescia, Lecco and Milan to improve connections between the respective cycling and walking networks and consequently improve the use and knowledge of natural, artistic and historic resources of the lake areas in Lombardy. This itinerary connects the area of Brescia, through lake Iseo, with Bergamo and from here it joins the Adda system, that can be accessed from Milan or from Lecco. This route aims at fulfilling an increasing demand for cycle tourism routes for a short and average distance, a request not only from those people using bicycles, but also from tourist operators who have received requests from a great number of enthusiasts wishing to spend eco-friendly and sustainable holidays. The itinerary was chosen, firstly bearing in mind the interconnection of the places visited, and then with a view to the possibility of a mixed method of transport, especially the railway, connecting one area of historic interest to another and the main tourist centres and nature reserves along the foot of the mountains.
Northen Lakes cycle route altimetry
From Predore the provincial road takes towards Sarnico, carefully negotiate the traffic to the Riva Shipyard. Here, along the shores of the lake, the cycle path begins again, take it right to the end where, on the left, you will take the reserved road. Reaching Sarnico, take via Montegrappa to the shores of the lake and follow the shorefront path the whole way, crossing the bridge towards Paratico.
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An Art Nuoveau capital on the shores of Lake Iseo
For Italian architectural history Sarnico is particularly important due to the wealth and value of the many examples of Art Nouveau designed by the architect Sommaruga. The two Faccononi villas are real treasures, scenically located between the mountains behind; of particular importance is the Casa Ora Passeri house, the Nursery School and the monumental Mausoleum to the Faccanoni family, near the cemetery. |
At the end of the lake shore road take the right and then left on an incline. After crossing a stream take the sand road on the left leading up an incline to the first houses of Credaro and at the traffic circle go towards the cemetery, leaving it on the left. Pass the Sentiero della Rosta, continuing along the path and following the fences of the houses. When you get to the end keep right and at the stop sign turn left, continuing to the crossroad for Trebecco castle. Now take the downhill road to Porto di Calepino and at the stop sign, being careful of the traffic, take the uphill road to the first junction where you will take the left, going downhill.
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The cotton mill at Porto di Castelli Calepio
In 1873 the Swiss company Weber & Co. bought out part of an old building that had been used as a mill and created the first cotton mill, replaced in 1887 by the imposing factory still seen today and considered to be one of the biggest in the Bergamo area. Note how the continuous passage of the over 500 workers who were employed here have worn out the stones on the two staircases, making them concave. |
 This road will lead us, in a short time, to the banks of the Oglio River, where there is the last difficult uphill ride of the route. At the end take the right onto the provincial road to cross into via Cercone along a one-way street to the industrial area. At the stop sign cross and continue straight on to the underpass beneath the motorway. Take the left hand road to the stop sign, then take the right into via Molinaretti until you reach a sand road in the middle of fields. Go straight at the next two crossroads, until you reach the guardrail of the provincial road SP 85. Be careful while crossing this road and continue along the secondary road keeping right until you reach the side of the motorway. At the stop sign turn right, take the under pass to reach the cemetery of Grumello del Monte.
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The Chapels to the Dead
Aligned along the route there are a number of votive chapels decorated by funereal symbols and figures in memory of the tragic plague of 1630, the one mentioned by Manzoni in his book. Despite efforts by the
authorities, the disease came from Milan and spread, wiping out half the population. Once the deadly effects of the contagious disease had ended, the survivors erected many votive chapels where masses are often said for the dead. |
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