Stelvio Epic Rides: The Conquest of Cancano - From Fiordalpe/Turripiano
Among the epic climbs of the Alta Valtellina, the route to the Cancano Lakes from Fiordalpe/Turripiano stands out for its beauty and its particular sequence of hairpin bends, a true hidden gem for bike lovers. It is not an extreme altitude challenge, but an immersive ride that rewards with unforgettable views and the feeling of having discovered an authentic corner of the Alps.
The Route:
The climb begins gently from Fiordalpe/Turripiano, shortly after leaving the main Valdidentro road. Here, the landscape begins to become more intimate, preparing you for what lies ahead. The road, excellently paved (or with a well-trodden "gravel road" style surface for Gravel, depending on your exact starting point), climbs sharply right away, but never prohibitively so.
The Historic Hairpins:
The heart of this climb are the 21 hairpin bends that follow one another in rapid succession, a near-perfect serpentine that cuts through the mountainside. This series of turns offers a steady pace, allowing you to find your ideal cadence as the view gradually opens up below you. Each hairpin bend gives a different perspective on the valley below and the surrounding peaks. The engineering of this road, created for hydroelectric purposes, is fascinating and makes the ascent an almost meditative experience, where the regularity of the gradient and the sequence of curves create a unique flow.
