VAL SUGANO

Val Sugano is an incredibly beautiful valley cut deep into the Dolomites by the Brenta river. It runs from Bassano to Trento where it joins the Brenner pass. I rode up the Brenta's left side the day after I went up Grappa. There I found a bike trail that went all the way to Trento, some 86 Km from Bassano. It looked beautiful and I was eager to try it. I returned the following day and would go the full distance. I would take the train back. The gorge and towering rock faces are extraordinary. I was particularly intrigued by a mediaeval fortress cut high into the side of a cliff. The narrow twisting towns were charming. The colorful wildflowers were everywhere and the endless fruit orchards made my mouth water. It was a long haul heading continuously upstream until the river no longer existed. I got lost in Caldolazzo where the bike trail vanished and I headed up the wrong pass. I began to ask people and was turned around. I ended up on a 4 lane highway heading down a mountain into Trento. Fun - Especially the 2Km tunnel. Terrifying. It took me 5 hours, which I reckon will be an average day in Sardinia. I brought some Trento cheese with me back to Bassano. My left shoulder was sunburned.