The Raetica Classica is a circular route
that brings together the best of both. Linking Switzerland’s St Moritz in the
Engadin valley with Valtellina in Northern Italy, expect glaciers and mountain
lakes to give way to palm trees, vineyards and beautiful traffic-free bike
paths as you follow the route from Val Bregaglia (Switzerland) – home to
Europe’s largest sweet chestnut forest – through Valchiavenna and into
Valtellina before crossing back into Switzerland, climbing into the canton of
Graubünden, and descending the Maloja to round it off.
Given their geography, these distinct areas
– one border, two countries, three languages – have a lot of shared history,
which you can now rediscover and reunite in the most peaceful way possible – by
bike, bus, train or even all three. Top tip: a ride on the jaw-dropping
UNESCO-listed Bernina Express is a must-do (click here for more info)
For the Italian stretch, the two
predominantly flat, smooth tarmacked bike paths – the Ciclabile Valchiavenna
and the Sentiero Valtellina – whisk you along for over 100 km, letting you
admire the unique landscape from the saddle with the Rhaetian Alps on one side
and the Orobic Alps on the other. There are some unmissable local delicacies on
the way.
Being a circular route with no fixed
departure point, the Raetica Classica offers riders the flexibility to pick and
choose.
If not riding the whole thing (either in one go or multiple stages),
hop on the Swiss post bus down the Passo Maloja to the charming medieval town
of Chiavenna (here what to see in and around), where you can a rent a bike and cruise down the Ciclabile
Valchiavenna for 42 km (click here for more info) to Colico on the shores of Lake Como.
From here, follow
the Sentiero Valtellina for 75 km (click here for more info) all the way to Tirano, passing Morbegno and
Sondrio, the province’s capital. Tracing the Mera and Adda rivers, enjoy
awe-inspiring views over the steep terraced vineyards where the valley’s
esteemed wine is produced.
Bike rental points are located along the
bike path, including Chiavenna, Colico, Morbegno, Albosaggia and Tirano.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
If you plan on a mix of pedalling and public transport, check the timetables and book in advance.
Visit:
Autopostale
Trenino Rosso del Bernina
STPS | Trenord (public trasportation in Valtellina)
Are you interested in purchasing the tour package of the "Raetica Classica" tour? Here are the proposals of our partners:
https://www.tour-explorer.ch/touren/bike/raetica-classica
https://www.tour-explorer.ch/touren/bike/raetica-classica-patgifica
https://www.eurotrek.ch/en/activities/hiking-holidays/switzerland/ch-hiking-around-the-bernina-group...