DRONERO, MONTEMALE, VALLE GRANA, VALLE MAIRA
MUNTEBEN A MUNTMAL
34 km
Munteben a Muntemal, or “climb successfully to Montemale” in Piedmontese dialect, is an itinerary composed of a series of well-marked MTB routes around the municipality of Montemale, located on the watershed between Valle Grana and Valle Maira, a place rich in history (featuring a beautiful castle built on the medieval remains) that boasts the right conditions and the ideal soil for growing sweet black truffles. The routes vary from 10 km to 50 km, are suitable for all technical and physical abilities and offer fantastic panoramic views of the valleys and the beautiful villages hidden in the woods.
Please note that itineraries may include roads where motor vehicles are allowed. Authors and trail testers are not responsible for the information contained.
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This itinerary is known as the Chemin Classic, spanning about 34 km with an elevation gain of about 1380 meters; it is suitable for well-trained and technically competent cyclists.
From the central square of Montemale, climb a short stretch of asphalt and then turn left on the dirt road that cuts halfway along the sunny slopes of Cima Varengo on the Valle Grana side. This will take you around all the beautiful and characteristic villages in the area, to reach the Piatta pass at an altitude of 1,180 metres. A fantastic crossways trail awaits you, part of the Curnis Auta, the ridge route between the Grana and Maira Valleys that leads to the Colle Fauniera. It takes you to the Colle Traversera, the highest point of the tour, at an altitude of 1,288 meters.
After a long, pleasant descent on the trail on the Maira Valley side, which presents some technical sections with a difficulty level of S2, you will arrive in theArchero district, at the gates of Dronero, a city that won a gold medal for civil merit, rich in history and traditions. Its historic centre is the ideal stopping place to recharge your batteries, and is located just a couple of kilometres of flat ground away, the extra effort proving a wise investment. You’ll then resume the climb in the shade through the woods to the village of Pragermano, where you will turn left on the forest road that returns to Montemale. The adventures are not over yet and you will first be faced with a short technical descent and then some fun ups and downs, leading you back to the paved road, at the gates of Montemale.
If you are not tired yet, continue on the Chemin Classic, turning right towards Bersani on a forest road that leads to the Bric degli Arpiai, an excellent panoramic point. Continue to the San Giorgio area, and again take the asphalt trail for the last uphill stretch, which presents a splendid excursion on a dirt road around the Castle of Montemale and leads back to the centre of the village.
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