Hike in Traversetolo

Start from Piazza Fanfulla, the beating heart of Traversetolo, for this tough day on your MTB. Part of today's route is included in the Baratti Bike amateur race, organized by the local Pigarella team, and features almost 1,500 meters of altitude difference in just 43 kilometres. The succession of steep climbs and technical descents puts anyone to the test.

The first climb leads towards the hamlet of Guardasone. An initial off-road passage in the Montefiascone area presents the first double-digit gradients, but it is the subsequent climb towards the Guardiola that puts even those with more experience in difficulty. After these first uphill efforts, a fun up and down on the coast between Guardasone and Bazzano will allow you to sample various types of terrain.

The dive towards the Enza river is followed by the hardest climb of the day, the one that those who cycle here call "La Palestra": about three kilometers at an average 12% up to Monte Castello. The next notable point of the route arrives a few kilometers later: it is the splendid Boscone trail, which takes you to Castione Baratti in no time. After crossing the provincial road near Orio, the fearsome ascent of Trinzola begins. In its hardest part, the so-called "Angel tear" which leads towards Mount Moro, the concrete road reaches gradients of 30%.

A rapid succession of climbs and descents allows you to pass Torre and Rivalta. At the latter, in the Barboj park, I recommend you stop for a break at the fountain. After the panoramic ups and downs on the coasts of Sivizzano, all you have to do is go down towards the bridge where the Termina di Castione and the Termina di Torre meet and undertake the last ascent of the day, on asphalt but not therefore easy: Stombellini. It is the southern side of Guardasone and the slopes are close to 18%.

All you have to do is cross the Termina and return to the square in Traversetolo, where an ice cream at Caffè Centrale will give you all your energy back.