The best cycling routes around Calanca

Great atmosphere and beautiful view

Cappella Santa Maria Assunta Sorte / Lostallo On October 7, 1611, the chapel of Sorte was consecrated in honor of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. The sacristy dates from 1656. If the bell, dating from 1526, does not come from another church, it is likely that a chapel existed earlier and was later replaced. The last restoration took place in 1960. The bell tower is covered with sails. The façade is decorated with frescoes in alternating registers in tympanum compositions, executed in 1611 by the same artist from Cabbiolo: Mary of the Assumption on the right flanked by kneeling women with Saint Margaret, and on the left by Saint George; above the blessing of the Eternal Father. Text / Source: Graubünden Holidays, Alexanderstrasse 24, Chur https://www.graubuenden.ch/de/ausflugsziele/cappella-santa-maria-assunta-sorte

Stage 7: San Bernardino – Bellinzona An exhilarating descent through the Mesolcina Valley. Eagerly absorbing the mild southern climate. In Mesocco, cyclists enjoy the largest ruin in Switzerland and, at the end of the tour, in Bellinzona, the defiant towers and walls of the tre castelli. Refreshed, they follow the rushing Moësa River out of the lively resort town of San Bernardino. The 46-kilometer-long tributary of the Ticino rises at the San Bernardino Pass and gives its name to the Mesolcina Valley (Misox). Although Italian is spoken in the valley, as in the Poschiavo and Bregaglia valleys, it has always maintained close ties to Graubünden. In the smaller villages, where many of the houses are covered with stone slabs, time seems to have stood still. You hardly stop on your bike during the rapid descent towards the south. Surrounded by rocky cliffs, you roar along a well-maintained road with countless skid marks. The highway, which practically hangs from the mountain, seems a bit surreal. Later, a varied side road leads down to Mesocco. Magnificent views of the valley are revealed. Below the village, perched on a rocky outcrop, are the ruins of the Castello di Mesocco, the 11th-century ancestral castle of the Count of Misox. It is considered one of the most important in Graubünden and the largest in Switzerland. Roveredo is the main town in the lower Misox Valley. And what could be nicer here than a break in a cool grotto, enjoying a typical lunch menu and a glass of local wine? The village also boasts several beautiful 17th-century houses, such as the one designed by local architect and builder Enrico Zuccalli. A secluded stretch follows near Lumino, just after crossing the highway and the river. A forest path leads along the Moësa River over hill and dale. Passing an inviting forest garden grotto and some secluded swimming spots, you reach Arbedo-Castione. Here, the Moësa flows into the Ticino River. Text / Source: Schweizmobil.ch https://schweizmobil.ch/de/veloland/route-6/etappe-7

Mesocco Castle San Bernardino Castle Mesolcina Calanca The ruins of Mesocco Castle stand on top of an imposing rocky hill that rises steeply from the valley floor. This imposing fortress stands in the center of the valley, forcing the Moesa River into a wide bend in a narrow, impassable gorge, leaving only a narrow passage to the west. Mesocco Castle is protected on three sides by steep cliffs. Only to the northeast, on the upstream side of the valley, does the slope slope more gently. Climbing up the old access road to the castle from the north side, you first reach the Church of St. Maria del Castello and are already on the castle grounds, which were once surrounded by a defensive wall. The impressive ruins consist mainly of the remains of defensive works built in the last decades of the 15th century, i.e., during the final phase of the castle's life. Among them are numerous ruins from earlier eras, so that the castle's current appearance reveals its eventful history, which has its roots in the early Middle Ages. Graubünden Ferien, Alexanderstrasse 24, 7001 Chur https://www.graubuenden.ch/de/ausflugsziele/castello-di-mesocco

Moësa (River) Moesa to Mesocco The Moësa rises at an altitude of approximately 2,245 meters above sea level on the Alpe Moesola above the San Bernardino Pass in the canton of Graubünden. After its source, it flows down to the top of the pass and feeds the first lake on its journey – the Laghetto Moesola – near the hospice. Leaving the lake at its southern end, it loses some elevation and then, at approximately 1,860 meters, joins the Riale Mucia stream from the right. A little later, the Moesa River also reaches the first village, San Bernardino (1,640 meters). It flows right through the center of the Graubünden village, merging with both the Ri de Fontanalba and Ri de Confin. While still in the village, it then flows into the Lago d'Isola reservoir. After the dam, the Moesa descends steeply, flowing through a gorge into the hamlet of Spina. It also shoots over the beautiful Moesa Waterfall and is joined by the Ri del Bech, Riale di Arbeola, and Riale de Spina streams. The Moesa now has a short distance to go to the village of Pian San Giacomo (1200 m), where it joins the Ri de Seda. After another steep drop and several tributaries (such as the Ri de Brion, Ri de Gratela, and Ri de Anzon), the river then reaches Mesocco (approx. 770 m). Text / Source: schweizerfluss.ch https://schweizerfluss.ch/moesa/

When cycling up route 6, the A13 eventually becomes the intermediate goal as one cycles up and up and comes closer in elevation to the highway.

After a short climb you reach the entrance

In Soazza, the railway line runs through a tunnel beneath the church. Wide tires are advantageous for bicycles. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful route.