The best gravel rides around La Valletta Brianza

The parish church of San Giovanni Battista Martire in Montevecchia, built in the 1920s. The structure is located at the intersection of via Belvedere and via Donzelli, halfway up the hill. The main sanctuary, the Santuario della Beata Vergine del Carmelo, is located higher up and is reachable via a staircase of 180 steps. The area is famous for its cycling and walking routes in the Montevecchia and Valle del Curone Natural Park.

climb almost finished, last short stretch remaining

Sirtori is a charming hilltop village located in the heart of the alta Brianza lecchese, famous for its historic views, its paths immersed in greenery, and the majestic Church of Saints Nabore and Felice, which dominates the settlement from its elevated position. The territory offers a perfect blend of sacred architecture, ancient noble residences, and a dense network of hiking and cycling trails.

Montevecchia is a charming village suspended between Milan, Brianza and the Lecco Prealps. It stands at an altitude of almost 500 meters and overlooks the almost 3000 hectares of the Montevecchia and Curone Valley Regional Park, where the famous Pyramids, mysterious rock formations, emerge.

The Naviglio della Martesana, initially known as Naviglio Piccolo, is one of the Milanese canals that connects Milan with the course of the Adda river through the municipalities of Martesana. Commissioned in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, it was used for irrigating the countryside but also represented the ambitious project of connecting Milan with Lake Como and thus with the Alps and Ticino. The Naviglio della Martesana is a place rich in history and beauty, a heritage for everyone that, however, today is still little known and protected. Along the Naviglio runs a rather busy cycle path, which allows you to admire the landscape and cultural beauties, such as the rich flora, fauna, or the numerous historic villas, including the Renaissance Villa Melzi d’Eril in Vaprio d’Adda.

classic! Getting here and going down the other side of the Brianza roof ;)

Just be careful at one point on the descent, where the road is a little wider and there are some raised, concrete-covered ditches: you risk a serious fall! Especially when dry leaves cover the path and hide them from view.

In Groppello d'Adda, along the Martesana Canal, there is a large waterwheel called "el rudun." It is not a mill, but a noria that was used to raise water for irrigation. It was built in 1618 at the behest of Cardinal Federico Borromeo. It was used to irrigate the vegetable gardens and gardens of the Archbishop's Villa. Tradition attributes the design to Leonardo da Vinci. The water also fed kitchens, washhouses, and livestock watering troughs. The original wheel was dismantled in the late 19th century. The current one is a 1989 reconstruction, restored several times. It has a diameter of 11 meters and eight large blades. Today, it is a historical and educational symbol that tells the story of the area's past.