Madesimo has always played an important role in logistics and transport and since Roman times it was considered a strategic centre given that the Via Spluga passed through here, a road that connected Milan with Lindau on Lake Constance.
The town is now known as a top-class tourist destination that welcomes visitors year-round. In winter, Madesimo is the ideal destination for Swiss winter sports enthusiasts and snow lovers: here, you can find 40 km of slopes, numerous cross-country ski trails, and snowmobile and snowkite excursions. Furthermore, the Valchiavenna Ski Area, accessible from Madesimo, includes several freeride zones , from Val di Lei to Pizzo Groppera , with thrilling fresh snow descents of varying difficulty levels.
In summer, however, the town attracts tourists thanks to its natural heritage and numerous outdoor activities, such as trekking, mountain biking, cycle tourism, climbing, Nordic walking. There is also a riding stable and a 9-hole golf course, a wellness center and spa, as well as downhill tracks where cyclists can experience the thrill of descending on specially equipped routes.
Cycling routes are easy, such as the Madesimo-Motta-Fondovalle loop or the Andossi cycle path. It is in this magnificent setting that the "Spluga da Capogiro" initiative took place from Sunday, July 21st to Sunday, August 25th. These were Sundays when traffic-free car and motorcycle traffic on the SS36 from Campodolcino to Pianazzo was completely free from traffic from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., allowing for complete safety, while enjoying spectacular views and breathing in the pure mountain air.
Once reached Pianazzo it was possible to continue the climb by retracing the stage of the 2021 Giro d'Italia or continuing on the old road that leads to Madesimo and then also reaching Alpe Motta up to Motta Alta from which to admire the splendid Lago Azzurro.
There were six opportunities to attempt this unique climb, following a route conceived two centuries ago by the extraordinary engineer Carlo Donegani. There are numerous restaurants where you can refuel after your exertions and enjoy typical Valchiavenna dishes, including Ristorante Capriolo in Madesimo and Ristorante Tambò in Motta. For on-site bike or e-bike rentals, Team Adventure Madesimo or Powder are available , while for overnight stays, Madesimo is a small town but offers a variety of accommodations.
From hotels to apartments, from resorts to mountain huts, Madesimo can satisfy every visitor's needs. The Hotel Andossi, for example, is a 4-star establishment offering a perfect balance between price and quality. A guided tour of the Mu.Vi.S. , the Museum of the Via Spluga and the Val San Giacomo, is also a must. This tour, preferably with director Enrica Guanella, will reveal the history of the town of Madesimo and the Valchiavenna. Here, you'll discover that in 1901, the City Council of Isolato, as Madesimo was then called, unanimously voted to grant honorary citizenship to the poet Giosué Carducci, who had chosen to spend his summer holidays here.
Our report “The E-Bike Paradise in Lombardy” is part of “Activities carried out with the contribution of the Lombardy Region”.
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