The Sombreno cycle path, better known as Greenway del Morla and Greenway del Quisa is a wonderful cycle path on the outskirts of Bergamo, immersed in the green Parco dei Colli.
Riding along this 10km path through the woods and in the silence of nature, you will pedal in complete relaxation and enjoy the Walls of Upper Bergamo - UNESCO World Heritage - as a backdrop.
The cycle path starts in Via Baioni, crosses the Valverde Park, runs alongside a sports centre and passes over a pleasant little bridge suspended in the woods. A short climb leads to via Ramera, then descend and have fun with wide bends in the woods until you reach the foot of a hill which, at its summit, lies the Sombreno Sanctuary.
At this point, there is a short stretch of road that goes around the hill but, shortly thereafter, you return to the path amid the woods and meadows of Paladina and you end this beautiful itinerary at the Madonna della Castagna Sanctuary.
Bergamo’s Greenways are paved and 95% on the cycle path. The route is suitable for everyone: adults and children.
Route information:
Departure point: Bergamo, Via Baioni n° 21
Arrival point: Mozzo, via al Castello
Travel time: 45 minutes (one way)
Length: 10km
On cycle path: 95%
Ground: asphalt: 70%, dirt: 30%.
Total change in altitude: 130m
Minimum altitude: 265m
Maximum altitude: 361m
Practicability: All year
Suitable for: adults and children
The Sombreno cycle path, better known as Greenway del Morla and Greenway del Quisa is a wonderful cycle path on the outskirts of Bergamo, immersed in the green Parco dei Colli.
Riding along this 10km path through the woods and in the silence of nature, you will pedal in complete relaxation and enjoy the Walls of Upper Bergamo - UNESCO World Heritage - as a backdrop.
The cycle path starts in Via Baioni, crosses the Valverde Park, runs alongside a sports centre and passes over a pleasant little bridge suspended in the woods. A short climb leads to via Ramera, then descend and have fun with wide bends in the woods until you reach the foot of a hill which, at its summit, lies the Sombreno Sanctuary.
At this point, there is a short stretch of road that goes around the hill but, shortly thereafter, you return to the path amid the woods and meadows of Paladina and you end this beautiful itinerary at the Madonna della Castagna Sanctuary.
Bergamo’s Greenways are paved and 95% on the cycle path. The route is suitable for everyone: adults and children.
Route information:
Departure point: Bergamo, Via Baioni n° 21
Arrival point: Mozzo, via al Castello
Travel time: 45 minutes (one way)
Length: 10km
On cycle path: 95%
Ground: asphalt: 70%, dirt: 30%.
Total change in altitude: 130m
Minimum altitude: 265m
Maximum altitude: 361m
Practicability: All year
Suitable for: adults and children
The cycle path starts in via Baioni, number 21 under the walls of the Upper Town where the bastion of the former Sant'Agostino church stands out, (pic 1). After the bridge that crosses the Morla torrent and a short climb, descend and cross the Valverde park where the dog area and a fountain are located at the end. Go left along via Maironi da ponte (pic2) and, after 100 metres, get back on the cycle path on the right (pic3) which with wide bends skirts meadows, crosses two pedestrian bridges (pic4) (pic5) (pic6) and arrives in via Valverde. Here go right (pic7) and after 150 metres right again (pic8). Via Valverde continues on a slight incline and further on you will ride along a stretch in the woods and on a wooden footbridge (pic9) that ends in via Castagneta. Now turn left (pic10) and shortly after to the right (pic11) on the paved cycle/pedestrian path that passes under the former Valmarina Convent (pic12), now the Parco dei Colli office - an institution that protects the 4700 hectares of park in Bergamo. Here, the cycle path begins to climb with a few little hairpin bends and arrives in via Ramera.
The cycle path starts in via Baioni, number 21 under the walls of the Upper Town where the bastion of the former Sant'Agostino church stands out, (pic 1). After the bridge that crosses the Morla torrent and a short climb, descend and cross the Valverde park where the dog area and a fountain are located at the end. Go left along via Maironi da ponte (pic2) and, after 100 metres, get back on the cycle path on the right (pic3) which with wide bends skirts meadows, crosses two pedestrian bridges (pic4) (pic5) (pic6) and arrives in via Valverde. Here go right (pic7) and after 150 metres right again (pic8). Via Valverde continues on a slight incline and further on you will ride along a stretch in the woods and on a wooden footbridge (pic9) that ends in via Castagneta. Now turn left (pic10) and shortly after to the right (pic11) on the paved cycle/pedestrian path that passes under the former Valmarina Convent (pic12), now the Parco dei Colli office - an institution that protects the 4700 hectares of park in Bergamo. Here, the cycle path begins to climb with a few little hairpin bends and arrives in via Ramera.
A careful restoration work allowed to keep both the original colors and the building’s atmosphere unchanged, surrounded by lush vegetation.
The bright stonewalls create a simple and genuine architecture, two of the main qualities featuring the life of the Benedictine nuns, who have lived in this building for centuries, meditating and taking care of the amazing nature of Bergamo’s hills.
Today, the historical complex has become Bergamo’s Hills Park headquarter (“Parco dei Colli di Bergamo”), reasserting its ancient role of environmental protection and inviting you to enjoy some pleasant excursions in the surrounding forests, across the numerous paths.
These woods have always been an uncontaminated place: in fact, during the Middle Age the people from Bergamo decided to take its waters to supply Città Alta, by means of the very clever Vases Aqueduct (in Italian, “Acquedotto dei Vasi”). Unfortunately, only a few remains of this interesting structure are left: the water main was even able to carry the water uphill without any mechanical means!
Numerous events are held by the ex-monastery, involving art, nature and sustainability. The most relevant one is the Park’s Fair (“Fiera del Parco”), which takes place every year in May.
Continue straight crossing Via Ramera (pic13), after a straight stretch you start to descend with hairpin bends towards the Macazzolo area. Continue with the road in front of you (pic14) (pic15): this way, you’ll get back on the cycle path for a few kilometres, immersed in the woods and with wide bends that follow the course of the Quisa torrent. At the crossroads continue to the right (pic16) towards Sombreno, after about a kilometre cross a parking lot (pic17) take the nearby road and you find yourself at a stop sign.
Continue straight crossing Via Ramera (pic13), after a straight stretch you start to descend with hairpin bends towards the Macazzolo area. Continue with the road in front of you (pic14) (pic15): this way, you’ll get back on the cycle path for a few kilometres, immersed in the woods and with wide bends that follow the course of the Quisa torrent. At the crossroads continue to the right (pic16) towards Sombreno, after about a kilometre cross a parking lot (pic17) take the nearby road and you find yourself at a stop sign.
At the stop sign turn left (pic18) and then left again (pic19) leaving the road to take the cycle path (pic20) that runs between the meadows and the woods of Paladina. After 700 metres, at the junction, keep right (pic21) and then reach the Madonna delle Castagna Sanctuary (pic22) (pic23) in a flash.
At the stop sign turn left (pic18) and then left again (pic19) leaving the road to take the cycle path (pic20) that runs between the meadows and the woods of Paladina. After 700 metres, at the junction, keep right (pic21) and then reach the Madonna delle Castagna Sanctuary (pic22) (pic23) in a flash.
The sanctuary is located at the foot of the hills opening from Bergamo to Sombreno, before an avenue flanked with trees. Surrounded by low green hills, they are ideal for a moment of silence or a day trip.
According to the tradition, the Madonna, appeared to a farmer who was busy tilling the soil, expressed the desire that an oratory would be built in that place.
In the XVIII century in the sanctuary the Institute of the “Charity Hermits” was born and spread as a charity institution from every material and spiritual point of view, also towards the poorest priests.
The Sanctuary’s Day is celebrated on the day of the apparition, which took place on 28th April and, with a particular solemnity, on the Assumption Day, on 15th August.
Continue straight for 400 metres in via Madonna della Castagna (pic24). You will find yourself in a low traffic street: turn right (pic25). Continue on the stretch of cycle path that crosses the road and go left (pic26), at the house turn right (pic27) in the middle of the fields and then beside a factory.
Cross the road following directions for the cycle path, you will pass by a riding school, then go right (pic28) and when you reach another road go left (pic29) (pic30). After 300 metres right again (pic31) on the path dedicated to pedestrians and bicycles. The paved path goes through the vegetation with gentle curves, here you are on the slopes of Mount Gussa. After a short ascent you arrive in a panoramic area above the village of Mozzo in via al castello, the end point of the cycle path (pic32) (pic33).
Continue straight for 400 metres in via Madonna della Castagna (pic24). You will find yourself in a low traffic street: turn right (pic25). Continue on the stretch of cycle path that crosses the road and go left (pic26), at the house turn right (pic27) in the middle of the fields and then beside a factory.
Cross the road following directions for the cycle path, you will pass by a riding school, then go right (pic28) and when you reach another road go left (pic29) (pic30). After 300 metres right again (pic31) on the path dedicated to pedestrians and bicycles. The paved path goes through the vegetation with gentle curves, here you are on the slopes of Mount Gussa. After a short ascent you arrive in a panoramic area above the village of Mozzo in via al castello, the end point of the cycle path (pic32) (pic33).
