To Val Bregaglia on the Valchiavenna cycle path – Colico to Switzerland

Yesterday we travelled to Switzerland with Hausstätter Reisen. But we didn't have internet here. We took the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano. Luckily we had nice weather. Today we went on a fantastic tour. We didn't have to exert ourselves too much because it was mostly downhill 🌝

Beautiful cycle paths, poorly equipped, the only dangerous stretch of road before Colico

Beautiful cycle path that runs along the Novate Mezzola lake to Chiavenna and then goes further to Borgonuovo where you can see the beautiful Fraggia waterfalls.

Trekking bike tour from Colico via Verceia, Chiavenna, Crotto Belvedere, Cascate dell'Acquafraggia (waterfalls), back by train from Chiavenna to Colico. Of course, you could also go back the same way. Today there was a strong headwind towards Chiavenna. The route is largely on side roads or cycle paths. The lake near Verceia - Lago Di Mezzola was particularly beautiful today. After Garmin 250 hm, 36 km without waterfalls (450 hm - 44km with waterfalls) to drive yourself, in the opposite direction it is only flat or downhill from Chiavenna to Colico. The train cost 3.30 plus 3 euros for a day ticket for the bike. We wanted to start in Colico Piona, but there was a break on the hourly train to Chiavenna at 12.15. Therefore tour turned around and cycled to Chiavenna. The waterfalls Cascate dell'Acquafraggia are not far from Chiavenna, the small detour is definitely worth it. Now with admission. Train Adventure Ciavenna: Train should run 16.43. The train arrived early from Colico, tickets bought, bikes loaded. After the train station clock, 15 minutes to departure. Then I went to the counter to ask how much a person and bike would cost from Chiavenna to St. Moritz by bus (27 francs, e-bike ok, bike transport on the bus hanging on hooks at the back for a maximum of 5 bikes!). Suddenly a woman calls, the train door closes 7 minutes too early according to the station clock, the train is leaving without me. I don't have a phone, my wife doesn't have a ticket.... I don't trust any train station clock in Italy.... It turned out well, we found each other again in Colico.

Today we get back on the road and we head north: towards Chiavenna. First we drive the route we know to the bridge over the Mera, also called Maira (Switzerland). The Mera connects Lake Como with Lago di Mezzola. Immediately after the bridge on the left through the nature reserve of the river Mera to Lago di Mezzola. Here the path leads along the shore of the approx. 4km² large lake. Then continue along the Mera to Chiavenna. We park our bicycles on the Cassa Pestalozzi and we visit the place. We recommend a short but beautiful route on the Mera from one stone bridge to the other. Then of course the narrow streets in the historic city center and the Castello: a park with a botanical garden on a hill. From here you have a panorama over Chiavenna. At the foot of the "Paradiso", that's the name of the park with botanical garden, stands Il Castello on the Piazza Castello. Unfortunately no viewing option. all the more interesting is the church of San Lorenzo. The Collegiate Church is the city's most important religious building. It was built in the 5th century but expanded in the following centuries. The three-aisled collegiate church has 18th-century frescoes and the portico was built by Ticino masters in the same period. The baptistery, on the other hand, dates back to the 13th century. All around you can take a walk in the cloisters. After a hearty lunch at Bar Vicini, we drive back to Domaso.

The continuous cycle path from Domaso to Chiavenna is a feast for the eyes.