The original plan for the weekend was camping and mountain biking in Val Mustair; however, a few days prior there was snowfall that covered many of the alpine trails in the valley. The group decided to head to Monte Bar for a day trip instead.
(Photo credit Connor)
(Photo credit Georgia)
(photo credit Georgia)
After an early Sunday morning train ride to Lugano, the group took a couple of buses to start the ride in Bogno. After pedaling uphill for roughly an hour, we arrived at an old church surrounded by amazing alpine scenery. This signaled the start of the several km alpine singletrail traverse of the Monte Bar Valley. The trail weaved through the golden grass covered hillsides until we reached the first downhill. This fun downhill singletrail went through the forest down to the main road of the valley. After a long traverse and climb on the pavement we reached the final descent of the day. The trail started in the alpine, again among the autumn colored hills, and quickly transitioned into the trees. While riding in the forest we would occasionally break into pastures and ride amongst the beautiful Ticino farms. At the bottom of the last singletrail we began our ride down to the Lugano lakeside where we enjoyed a well-deserved post-ride pizza.
(photo credit Georgia)
(Photo credit Georgia)
Excluding the ride down to Lugano, the group rode roughly 1400 hm and 34 km in the Monte Bar valley.
(Text: Seth Griffith)
