A loop of about 160 km from Lecco: Valsassina, the Culmine di San Pietro pass, Val Taleggio and its gorge, up to the San Marco pass overlooking the Orobie Alps. Back via Morbegno along the eastern shore of Lake Como.
A loop motorcycle itinerary of about 160 km starting and finishing in Lecco, between the lake, Valsassina, Val Taleggio and the Orobie Alps: the Culmine di San Pietro pass through the woods, the Val Taleggio gorge, the hairpins of the San Marco Pass and the ride back along Lake Como at blue hour. A ride that, however many times I do it, never fails to surprise me.
You leave Lecco with the lake beside you and morning reflections promising a special day. After following the eastern branch of the lake, the climb into Valsassina begins: a valley that looks hand-drawn, squeezed between spectacular rock walls and green meadows.
The photo was taken from Pian Sciresa: you get there with a short walk of about 20 minutes through the woods.
Leaving the valley floor you climb towards the Culmine di San Pietro pass. It is not a famous stretch and the tarmac is not the best, but the charm is unique: bends climbing through the woods, sudden views over the valley and that “road all to yourself” feeling every rider dreams of.
The descent takes you into Val Taleggio, where the scenery becomes magical. The road runs through the Val Taleggio gorge, a natural canyon with towering rock walls and the stream flowing beside you: riding here is pure emotion, amplified by the roar of the engine echoing through the gorge.
Leaving the valley, the route heads for one of my favourite passes, the San Marco Pass. The climb is a crescendo of wide hairpins, scenic straights, grazing animals and breathtaking views of the Orobie Alps. Getting there at sunset is pure poetry, with warm light glowing on the meadows and slopes.
At over 1,900 metres you can still see the remains of First World War trenches, part of the Cadorna Line, the defensive system built to protect Italy’s northern border from a possible Austro-German invasion. Among Alpine meadows and views of the Orobie and Valtellina, dry-stone walls, rock-cut positions and walkways remain: a silent reminder of a front that here, fortunately, saw no direct fighting.
The descent to Morbegno is a series of perfect bends, with Valtellina opening up ahead. The final stretch runs along Lake Como at blue hour, with reflections and village lights that make you want to stop at every lay-by.
Loading map…
Partners & Gear
Insta360
I filmed the whole ride with the X5: on the handlebars in Valsassina, with the invisible selfie stick in third person through the gorge and on the helmet for POV shots from the San Marco Pass. 8K AdaptiveTone adapts exposure and colours to the scene, even against the light; Pure Video reduces noise with real-time HDR for clear footage even at night.
GPXItaly · Switzerland — Lombardy, Graubünden
From the Acquafraggia Falls over the Maloja and Bernina passes to the Morteratsch Glacier: spectacular scenery and a real sense of freedom, with stops that invite you to slow down and enjoy nature.
GPXItaly · Switzerland — Lombardy, Graubünden, South Tyrol
A one-day ride across the Alps between Lombardy and Switzerland: Lake Como at dawn, perfect bends, turquoise lakes, the Swiss National Park and the hairpins of the Stelvio and Gavia passes.
GPXItaly — Lombardy
From Lecco through Valbrona, the Colma di Sormano and Nesso to Bellagio: views over Lake Como, scenic roads and historic sights.