Capoliveri Bike Park - Difficult level Excursion

Technical difficulty: medium 
Length of route: 28,9 km
Difference in height above sea level: 790 m

There are several parts along the route that present some difficulties from a technical point of viewwhere a minimal physical preparation would be better and help you face some of the descents that are along rocks and gravel roads, so also bear in mind that for many of the junctions along this route having a guide with you who knows the area very well would be very useful.

Minimal physical preparation

Since you will have to cover approximately 29 kilometres with a difference in height above sea level of about 790 metres, it would be better if you are used to going out on your MTB frequently and that you are a good cyclist because the most difficult climb is at the very start, right at the end of much, steep climbing and going downhill.

Route

Departure is opposite the Police Station;nbsp;take the uphill road to your left and follow the signs for the Police station. At km 0,57 turn right and go up Pinocchiello (Sicurt).

At km 1,94 you'll get to the crossroads for the upper ring road for Monte Calamita,so turn right; at km 2,34 cross the Cessa della Garitta and keep going until you get to km 3,58, then go downhill along the steep, scenic Cessa dell'Asta.

Once you reach the bottom go across the Costa dei Gabbiani; at km 5,19, facing the sea, follow the path down that runs across the low vegetation  In several parts the route is quite difficult, so make sure you have complete contol of your bike, pay close attention to where you are going and cycle with care. The path leads to the main road known as dell'Innamorata.

At km 5,75 turn left until you get to the beach at km 6,37 then keep going and take the second turning on the left, then go up the main road for il Calone, until you get to a clearing at km 7,12. Take the only road to your right with a sign with the name  of Legend Cup and keep going along this path until you get to a Canyon (km 8,78). Don't cross the Canyon, but rather, follow the downhill road until you get to km 9,55 that is right in the heart of the Vallone mine. Watch out for some parts of the route that are quite difficult.

The entire area is very suggestive: as you go along you will pass some old, neglected pieces of machinery and then, at km 10,1, you will arrive opposite the Palazzone where loading was once carried out.

Keep going uphill along the main road until you get to the Costa dei Gabbiani (km 11,7) then turn left until km 12,9; here you have to turn right and go uphill and head for Sardina.

Once you get to the junction at km 13,5 keep going then turn right and go uphill again; at the next junction (km 15,2) turn right and you will come to a very scenic path that will quickly get you to the Polveraia Mine.

At this point go downwards until you get to a large, open space (km 16,7) then follow the arrows for Legend Cup until you reach the exit that leads on to the main road for Costa dei Gabbiani at km 17,8: here you turn left until you get to the Villaggio delle Ripalte and go across the village; bear in mind that should you be thirsty, there is a grocer's inside, but it is the only place if you need some water in the area.

Keep going and once you're past the enclosure with horses head for Torricelle; once at the top of the hill (km 21,2) take the first turning on your left and follow the rear road along the southern side of Monte Calamita until you get to km 22,7, then remain on the left and you will get to the junction for Sardina (a downhill road from Polveraia mine, km 22,8).

Keep to the right and head for Cessa dell'Asta at km 23,5 and keep going straight on along the road you did previously until Cessa dell'Asta is behind you on your left this will get you to km 24,4 so turn left once again and head down in the direction of Val di Fosco as far as the main road for Costa dei Gabbiani at km 26,2.

Go right until you get back to where you started off from, that is, in the square opposite the Police Station; you will have covered 28,9 km from start to finish and will have had to face a difference in height above sea level of 790 metres.

Since the route isn't always easy to make out, especially in the mining area around Polveraia mine, we suggest you tackle it only if you are accompanied by an expert Guide; don't forget that you just need to take one wrong turning and you migt not find your way any more or end up doing more kilometres than necessary.

Information and details thanks to Gian Piero Mocali
Cell. 328 7242289