The best traffic-free bike rides around Lozio

21-06-26 Borno Ski Arena : chairlift closed / refuge closed ...I do not agree with this choice even though work is planned for the renovation of the structures, in the official communications from the municipality it was clearly written that they would not affect the normal running of the services...

By train to Edolo and then by bike up to Ponte di legno. The next day, departure in four stages to Mantua. Beautiful cycle path. Recommended

🏔️ Monte Altissimo — Identity and location Monte Altissimo is the highest peak of the short mountain range that separates Bassa Val Camonica and Valle di Scalve. It is known for two very different slopes: North slope (Borno): gentle, wooded, with ski slopes and mountain huts. South slope (Erbanno–Gorzone): steep, rocky, with significant elevation changes. This dual nature is also confirmed by the hiking itineraries documented online . 🚶‍♂️ The main documented itineraries Online sources show several routes, including: 1) From Croce di Salven – Path 6 (classic loop) Passes through Pozze di Val Sorda, Rifugio Lorenzini, Malga Guccione. A very popular loop itinerary, with a gentle and scenic ascent. Data confirmed by hikr.org (loop with ascent from Croce di Salven) . 2) From Borno – Via Mine e Segable A longer and scenic itinerary, with passages over woods, mountain huts, and ridges. Documented in detail on Wikiloc, with a complete description of path 112 → 151 → 155 . 3) From Erbanno – Path 155 Steep and challenging ascent, with sections on rocky outcrops. Direct connection to the final ridge of the Altissimo. 🏞️ Environment and notable points Sources confirm the places you have already visited: Pozze di Val Sorda: damp and bright clearings. Rifugio Colonnello Ferruccio Lorenzini: in the Pratolungo basin, at 1478 m. Malga Guccione: a passing point before the final ascent. Borno ski slopes: often used for descent on winter loops.

🏔️ Monte Altissimo (Val Camonica) — Identity and main characteristics Monte Altissimo is a mountain in the Bergamo Prealps, 1703 m high, located between the lower Val Camonica and the lower Val di Scalve. It is the highest peak in the mountain group that separates these two valleys and overlooks the Borno plateau. Two very different sides Southern side: steep, rocky, almost devoid of vegetation, with a difference in altitude of about 1500 m from the Oglio valley floor. Northern side: gentle slope towards Borno, covered with fir trees and dotted with mountain huts, chalets and ski slopes of the Borno Ski Area. 🚶‍♂️ Hiking — The main itineraries Monte Altissimo is very popular with hikers thanks to the good network of trails (difficulty E). Here are the best-known and documented routes. 1) From Erbanno – Trail 197 or 155 A steep and challenging itinerary, with a significant difference in altitude. Trail 197: Start: Erbanno (Darfo Boario Terme) Passes through: small church of San Valentino (690 m), Malga Mine, junction with trail 194 From the cross: spectacular view of the lower Val Camonica and Lake Iseo Summit reachable in 15 minutes from the final junction Trail 155 (more direct and strenuous): Difference in altitude: about 1460 m Steep sections, some chains on a slightly exposed traverse Remarkable panorama over the meadows of the “Segable” Arrival at the Monte Altissimo refuge and the ski lifts 2) From Gorzone – Trail 154 A wilder route on the south side, with a long and tough climb. 3) From Borno – North side (ski slope areas) A gentler and more panoramic itinerary, often chosen for loop tours that include refuges, mountain huts and small churches (as in your story). 🏞️ What makes Monte Altissimo special Sharp contrast between the two sides: one severe and rocky, the other gentle and wooded. Wide panoramas of the lower Val Camonica, Lake Iseo and Presolana. Network of mountain huts and chalets still active in summer. Presence of the Monte Altissimo refuge at the summit, also reached by ski lifts. Possibility of very varied loops, combining woods, slopes, ridges and small isolated churches.

The Church of San Fiorino is one of Borno's small historical wonders, and thanks to the sources I consulted, I can give you an accurate, complete, and up-to-date overview. 🕍 Identity and location It is a subsidiary church dedicated to San Fiorino / San Floriano, the Roman legionary invoked against fires and floods. It stands northwest of Borno, along the road leading to Lake Lova, in a very quiet grassy and wooded area. 📜 Origins and history The sources agree on a long and layered history: 11th–13th century: first documented construction phases. 1410: appears in the list of ancient Camun churches subject to contribution to the Bishop of Brescia. 1456: a papal bull establishes the curatial benefit of S. Florini. 1532: cited in the Queriniano Catalogue of ecclesiastical benefices. 1567–1573: recorded in pastoral visits as a country church. Archaeological findings During restorations and excavations, artifacts have emerged that suggest the presence of an ancient Roman place of worship: a fragment of an altar dedicated to Mercury, with a Latin inscription; a Roman burial with the mark "LLAESEC"; stone elements with grooves typical of ancient thresholds. These findings strengthen the hypothesis that the church was built on a previous pagan temple. 🏛️ Architecture The church is simple and harmonious, typical of Camun rural chapels: Single nave with two bays. Rectangular presbytery with a barrel vault. Mixed masonry bell tower. Sober facade, with an off-center stone portal and traces of frescoes. Inside, you can find: 16th-century frescoes (partially mutilated), a 15th-century fresco with San Fiorino in the guise of a legionary, architectural elements from different eras. 🔧 Restorations The church, deteriorated by time, was restored in 1978 thanks to Don Costantino Ravelli.

The Church of San Fiorino is one of the small historical and spiritual pearls of the Borno plateau (Valle Camonica): a simple, intimate building, but layered with history, ancient cults, and surprising discoveries. 🕍 Identity and location The small church stands north of the inhabited area of Borno, along the road leading to Lova, in a grassy and silent area, slightly set back from the village. It is a subsidiary church dedicated to San Fiorino / San Floriano, a figure venerated as a protector against fires and floods. 📜 Origins and history The first attestations date back to the 15th century, but tradition and archaeological findings suggest an even older origin. Key points of its history: 1456: A bull of Callixtus III mentions the chapel of Sancti Florinj among the Camunican churches subject to contribution. 1532: It appears in the Queriniano Catalogue of ecclesiastical benefices. 16th century: It is registered in pastoral visits as a country church. Around 1650: Extensions and renovations that give it its current appearance. 1978–1980: Modern restorations that bring to light frescoes and Roman artifacts. 🏛️ Architecture The church is simple and harmonious, typical of Camunican rural chapels: Single nave with two bays. Rectangular presbytery with a barrel vault. Mixed masonry bell gable. Sober facade, with a decentered stone portal and traces of ancient frescoes. Inside, you can find: 16th-century frescoes, partly mutilated; a 15th-century fresco depicting San Fiorino as a Roman legionary; architectural elements from different eras. 🏺 Archaeological finds During the 1980 restorations, artifacts emerged that suggest the presence, in Roman times, of a small temple dedicated to Mercury: a fragment of a Roman altar with a dedication to Mercury; a Roman burial with the inscription “LLAESEC”; stone elements with grooves typical of ancient thresholds. These findings make the site particularly fascinating: a place where Christian worship seems to have overlapped with a previous pagan sacred site.

It is not Lake San Fiorino but Lake Lova

A very pleasant climb from Val di Scalve to Borno. Beautiful and not particularly challenging. 😊