On the Valcalepio road

The itinerary starts from Castel de’ Conti, in the municipality of Castelli Calepio, along the S.P. 91 leading to Sarnico from Bergamo, (Conti Calepio Castle, Palazzetto Carolingio, Church of San Lorenzo, restored medieval village).

Proceeding in the direction of the lake, we firstly come to Credaro (Romanesque churches of San Fermo and San Giorgio, with a fresco by Lotto, Montecchio Castle and Trebecco Castle), and then to Villongo (in the Sant’Alessandro quarter there is the Holy Trinity Parish Church built at the start of the XVIII century with a pleasing statue of the Madonna by Fantoni - 1719, the Romanesque church of Sant’Alessandro, and frescoes by Romanino in the Bondurri house).

Next, we reach Castione (a district of Sarnico) where frescoes of inestimable value are safeguarded in the small church of “Santi Nazario and Rocco”, some of which are dated to the XI century.

Sarnico, is one of the most well-known places of the lake. It is an important commercial and tourism centre that still conserves clearly visible traces of medieval town planning (portals, arches, narrow streets, ancient towers and the S. Paolo church with frescos from the XV century).

The eighteenth century parish church is dedicated to a San Martino di Tours and has works by important artists. At Sarnico, lovers of liberty style can admire the two magnificent Faccanoni villas, constructed between 1906 and 1912 by architect Sommaruga.

Returning towards Villongo along the lakeside and after an ascent skirting the Oglio river, we reach the picturesque Fosio district (dam, old houses and a seventeenth century windmill).

Next, we continue in the direction of Adrara San Martino, (pre-historic and Roman settlements, medieval castle and parish church dedicated to San Martino, dated to the fifteenth century).

The itinerary continues towards Foresto Sparso, a famous centre known for its nursery activity (church of San Marco Evangelista-1682, Shrine said to be of San Giovanni of the ants), passes Gandosso, through a pleasing hilly landscape covered with vineyards (Madonna del Castello shrine) and ends with arrival at Grumello del Monte, a small historical centre with a typical medieval structure (famous for the ancient Gonzaga castle-fortress).

Not to be missed is a visit to the S. Pantaleone district with ancient rustic dwellings, the church of the “Madonna del Rosario” with work by Petrus Meer and villa Pecori Giraldi Mainoni d’Intignano.

• Length: 35 km
• Difficulty: (on bicycle only for fit persons)
• Parts than can be cycled: all the way
• Average duration (on bicycle) 2 hours