HOTEL VOLTA CANZO - Percorsi in bici da strada e MTB

Description: The climb called “Nesso” is one of the most exacting climbs of the Triangolo Lariano and starts from the homonymous town on the coastal road that connects Como and Bellagio. The proposed tour is the one that passes through Como, but it is also possible to reach Nesso from Bellagio, with some additional difficulties. The above 13,1 km of hairpin curves of Nesso allow you to reach, from the sides of the Como Lake (approximately 280 m AMSL) the locality called “Colma di Sormano”, that is at 1124 m AMSL, covering a road dipped in the woods and with charming sights on the lake. The first part of the climb is characterized by a very regular slope (about 7%), with some peaks over 10% near the built-up area of Zelbio. In the last kilometres the road advance in the valley and after about 10 kilometres you’ll reach the locality called “Pian del Tivano”. Here the road becomes flattish for approximately a kilometre and you’ll see that woods become more and more sparse, leaving space to the big airy meadows that covers the entire plain part of the valley. The name “Piano del Tivano” derives, exactly, from the name of one of the two typical winds that blow on the Lario and that are particularly strong in this valley: the “Tivano” (the other typical wind is called “Bréva”). When the flattish part finish, the road will suddenly return to go up in order to reach, with the last two kilometres of climb, the “Colma di Sormano”, which represents the connection point between Como Lake and Valassina Valley. These last kilometres are particularly dangerous for your physical resistance because you’ll face them after a lot of kilometres of climb and so we point out that you have to weight your energies. Moreover we are sure that the arrival on the top of this climb will recompense all your efforts. From this locality it is in fact possible to enjoy a magnificent view on the Valassina Valley and the surrounding mountains (Mount S. Primo, Mount Palanzone, Mount Cronizzolo and the “Corni di Canzo”). “Colma di Sormano” is also the point of arrival of the mythical “Muro di Sormano”, that has been recently restructured. If the climb has been long and hard, the way back home will be really relaxing. In fact you have to effort only descents and flattish roads that, through the towns Sormano, Asso and Canzo, will bring you back to the departure point.

Road book: At the beginning of the proposed tour you have to head for the Segrino Lake (southwards), and you have to go along the shores of it until his ending. When you reach the crossroads you have to continue on the main road that leads to Erba. When you'll arrive in the city it is necessary to proceed towards Como. We advise you to take “the old” road, that passes through the towns of Albavilla, Albese con Cassano (place of birth of Fabio Casartelli, the cyclist tragically famous for his death on the Tour of France ways), Tavernerio and Camnago Volta (where is situated Alexander Volta’s grave). In this way you will ride your bike without too many worries for the automotive traffic. Once you’arrive at the end of Via Valassina in Erba, it is necessary to turn on the right and take the main way of the city ( XXV Aprile street), crossing the Lambro river over the Bridge called “Malpensata” and crossing the railroads of the Milano - Asso Railroad. You have to go on as far as the ending of XXV April street and there you’ll find a roundabout, near the Monument to the Fallen in War. There it is necessary to turn on the left and to pass through the hamlet called “Crevenna” (through a only sense alternated) and following the indications for Albavilla. After the Castle of Pomerio, it is necessary to go on the main road until reaching two traffic lights, separates from a turn rightwards. The first traffic light, in proximity of a petrol station, has to be passed going on the main road, while at the second one it is necessary to turn on the left, following the indications for Albese, Tavernerio, Como. From this point it is necessary to keep follow the main road that, alternating flattish parts and little climb will lead you to the hamlet of Tavernerio called Solzago, where the descent to the city of Como begins. When you’ll arrive in the city it is necessary to follow the indications for Bellagio and to take the evocative coastal road, characterized from the alternation of short climbs and flattish parts. At about one half of the road to Bellagio, at a distance of nearly 16 km from Como, you’ll find Nesso and the crossroads to Zelbio and the “Colma di Sormano”, where you have to turn to the right. The road immediately begins to go up and there’s no more possibility of making mistakes. When you’ll reach the “Colma di Sormano” it is possible to go down running along the road that crosses the built-up area of Sormano and meets the main road of the Valassina Valley at the doors of Asso. At the stop line it is necessary to turn to the right and to follow the main road until Canzo.