Cycling tour in Franciacorta with delicious tastings
In the heart of Lombardy, nestled on the shores of Lake Iseo, there is an area surrounded by green hills and endless rows of vineyards, a perfect destination for a bike trip. We are talking about Franciacorta, a place that has become famous all over the world thanks to the production of its bubbles, his majesty the Franciacorta DOCG.
We have selected a couple of cycling itineraries for everyone; a suggestion for hikers who want to take a walk on two wheels along cycle paths in complete tranquility, for families with children, for wine tourists who want to get to know Franciacorta and its wines up close. The route touches vineyards and fields, small villages and areas of particular naturalistic interest, panoramic points and places of historical and artistic interest. Along the way you will find a series of structures including farmhouses, hotels, refreshment points, which can represent a valid interval to experience this territory even better. You cycle immersed in the vineyards, facing a succession of bell towers, towers, castles and houses in the typical stone construction.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Iseo
Day 2: Loop Tour 1 – 40 Km
You get to Provaglio d’Iseo passing through the Sebino Torbiere Nature Reserve: a mix of vegetation and glimpses of water in which a variety of habitats and aquatic-marshy species, rare or endangered, coexist. The ancient Monastery of San Pietro Lamosa is worth a visit. We continue towards Passirano, where we will immerse ourselves in the medieval climate first with the Castle of Passirano, built in 1101 to defend the territory. At a distance of only two km stands the other castle in the area: Castello di Bornato and to complete this tour of the castles we will arrive in Paderno Franciacorta, the smallest of the 19 municipalities in the area, which reserving more than a quarter of its surface for vineyards , leaves room for another historic castle, Castello Oldofredi. Continue to Rodendo where the Olivetana Abbey of San Nicola, one of the oldest monasteries in Italy, will be an obligatory stop. In the town of Ome, among the beautiful meadows and vineyards, we enter an ancient testimony of artisan activity: the Maglio Averoldi. In a place where time seems to have stopped, dating back to 1080, the Maglio Averoldi represents a piece of culture and traditions of Franciacorta.
Day 3: Loop Tour 2 – 30 Km
We therefore arrive at our first stop, Clusane d’Iseo, a small hamlet in the municipality of Iseo, located on the southern part. The village presents itself in all its tranquility, silence dominates the alleys and the feeling of relaxation is immediate: it is easy to acclimatize and immerse yourself in the quiet of the town. Here we discover the existence of a small harbor, and the point of greatest interest is the Carmagnola Castle, which stands on the promontory and dominates the whole view of the lake. Let’s get back on the saddle and pedal towards Corte Franca: divided between the hamlets of Nigoline, Timoline, Colombaro and Borgonato, it is considered the fulcrum of the region and one of the most characteristic municipalities of the Brescia province.
The territory is covered with rows of vineyards that seem to envelop these towns, preserving the spirit and tradition of viticulture. We then head towards Nigoline, where the imposing Palazzo Torri is located, a noble villa dating back to the 1600s and decorated with Baroque inserts. Once in the municipality of Adro, an absolutely must stop is to visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Neve. Next stop the small village of Erbusco develops around the Castle, from the 14th century, the scene of historical fights between Guelphs and Ghibellines. At the center of the castle, there is a small jewel of medieval architecture, the Pieve di Santa Maria Maggiore, a church of clear Romanesque architecture. Return to Iseo always passing through Provaglio. Departure.
