For those who love the mountains and cycling, August means only one thing: climbing. This year our destination was Simplon Pass, straddling Italy and Switzerland. A popular destination for ski mountaineering and hiking enthusiasts, it also hides an unexpected and surprising soul for cyclists.
You won't find any built-up trails or polished bike parks here. At Sempione, the terrain is different: natural, wild paths, to be interpreted meter by meterIt requires technique, legs, the ability to read the terrain, and a touch of improvisation. In return, the Simplon Pass offers authentic emotions and views that remain etched in the memory.
Trails that smell of adventure
The possibilities are truly multiple. Come on Alpine passes above 2.500 meters, up to flowing tracks reminiscent of a modern XC. There are no dirt roads or dirt tracks to spoil the atmosphere: It's all singletrack hereWith good physical condition (or with the help of an e-bike) you can get enormous satisfaction, even at high altitude.
The Bistine Pass Tour
Among the routes explored, the first was the tour that passes through the Bistine Pass, skirts the Galehorn, and then returns to the Simplon plain via a descent that's almost prohibitive in some places. The climb to the pass is the heart of this itinerary: a direct ramp, visible from afar, with gradients ranging between 15 and 17%. A true challenge, it takes you to an altitude of 2.400 meters, where the mountain opens into a gentler valley.
From here we continue along the coast up to 2.600 metres above sea level. SirwoltesattelA natural balcony with breathtaking views. The descent is technical and challenging, requiring caution or walking in some sections. But up to the pass, the route alternates between steep climbs and easy sections, with compact surfaces and views that repay every effort.
The Magic of Spitzhorli
The most exciting ride, however, was the one that leads to the top of the SpitzhorliA classic winter route, which transforms into a true all-mountain paradise in summer. The climb is gentler and more pedal-friendly than the Bistine Pass, although there are still some stretches requiring a bit of muscle power. With an e-bike, it becomes an almost linear journey to the summit.
From above, the view is simply indescribable: a sea of Alpine peaks, absolute silence, and the sensation of being suspended between heaven and earth. The downhill options are numerous: you can return the same way you came, descend towards the Bistine Pass, or embark on an epic ride with over 2.000 meters of elevation gain to Brig. Natural, technical trails, yet always manageable at a great pace, for those who love the true spirit of alpine mountain biking.
Conclusions
Il Simplon Pass It thus reveals a unique all-mountain face, made up of natural trails, endless descents and breathtaking panoramas. It is not an "easy" or tamed destination, but this is precisely its strength: here MTB returns to being adventure, discovery and freedom.
A place that stays with you, and that makes you want to return again, with the same desire to explore and improvise that accompanies every true biker.
