Madonna di Tirano, Ragno, San Sebastiano, Novaglia, Romaione, Piatta, Lughina – return to Madonna di Tirano
Start from the parking lots near the Madonna di Tirano Sanctuary, pedal on State Road 38 toward Sondrio, cross the bridge over the Poschiavino River and turn right, following signs for Lughina. The climb at first is on a paved road, with many hairpin bends and a constant high gradient (from 15 percent up to 19 percent) that requires medium to high engine assistance. After 7.5 kilometers the road becomes unpaved with a compact surface and the gradient decreases making the effort lighter to reach Lughina. Here there is a small lake surrounded by huts, meadows and woods; to the right on a knoll you can see the remains of the old finance barracks hidden among the trees. To the left the dirt road continues with a more uneven surface for seven hairpin bends and arrives just below the meadows of Frantelone (last stretch on path). Text and photos by Federico Pollini.
