The wild Val Parina

Approached with a spirit of discovery and the right amount of enthusiasm, this itinerary will give you one of the most intense memories of your biking experiences: the wild Val Parina, an unspoiled corner of Val Brembana where nature still reigns supreme. The route entirely follows CAI trail 259, which leads from Zorzone to the remote Piani di Scalvino, a place suspended in time.

The start is in San Pellegrino Terme, in the parking lot on Via Piazzo. From here, take the Brembana Valley cycle path to Ambria, where you turn towards the Serina Valley, encountering the spectacular Orridi, deep rocky gorges that lead to one of the most characteristic environments of the valley. The road passes through the villages of Algua and Serina, until you reach Oltre il Colle and then Zorzone, the entry point to Val Parina.

A dirt road downhill leads into the woods and connects to trail CAI 259, from where the real adventure begins. You pass the bright Cappelletta di Petta, elegant in its simplicity, and reach the picturesque farmhouses of Prati Parina, immersed in absolute peace. The wild nature becomes increasingly prominent as you approach Scalvino, tackling the most technical and delicate section of the entire route, where attention must be paid to the ground and the narrower passages.

At the end of the old railway, a remnant of a past made of now-disappeared mountain connections, the path continues towards Bocca di Parina, which offers sweeping views and a complete sense of isolation. From here, you ascend through a striking sandy plateau, an unusual environment for the Orobic Alps, before embarking on the long descent that leads to Agriturismo Ferdy, one of the most beloved places in the valley.

Finally, the cycle path gently leads back to the starting point, completing an adventurous, exciting loop that is totally immersed in the most authentic nature of the Brembana Valley. A challenging route, but one that is capable of offering powerful emotions and landscapes that are worth experiencing at least once.