There's a smart way to ride the Val di Sole cycle path, and a less smart way. The smart way is to start from Cogolo—about 1.100 meters—and descend to Mostizzolo, which is around 600 meters. It's practically all downhill. The less smart way is the opposite, but we don't need to dwell on that.
For those who rent with us, this logistics works particularly well: we're in Cogolo for the departure and in Mezzana for the arrival of the train. You rent, you pedal, you deliver. The end.
The "almost entirely downhill" cycle path: what it really means
Cogolo is about 1.100 meters above sea level, Mostizzolo about 600 meters. The entire cycle path? No. But the vast majority, yes, and you know it in advance when you climb.
Distances:
- Cogolo → Mostizzolo: approximately 35 km
- Mezzana → Mostizzolo: approximately 22 km (if you only want to do the final stretch)
Two things to know before setting off. In Bozzana, there's a steep climb of about 50 meters, which you can feel. Then, in the last 2 km before Mostizzolo, the terrain is a bit uneven—nothing serious, but the trail doesn't end as flat as you might think.
If you haven't chosen your bike yet and are unsure—e-bike or regular bike, with or without children—you can find all the models in the Val di Sole e-bike rental shop.
BikeTrain and BikeBus: What are they really for?
The BikeTrain is simple: you've cycled down the bike path, you're in Mostizzolo, and you don't want to pedal back up for 35 km. You hop on the train with your bike and head back up.
The BikeBus solves the opposite problem—how do you get to Cogolo if you left your car in Mezzana? It takes care of that. It's also useful for those who want to break the route into multiple stages or manage groups with different paces.
Together they ensure that your day on the bike doesn't depend on having two cars or someone willing to do the ride.
How you organize your day: three typical situations
The right plan depends on where you stay.
If you're staying in Cogolo (or somewhere higher up), the ideal route is the simplest: set off, arrive in Mostizzolo, take the BikeTrain to Mezzana, return your bike to us, and—if you need—take the bus back up.
If your car is in Mezzana but you want to leave from Cogolo, leave it parked with us in the morning. Take the BikeBus or the bus to Cogolo, find the bikes ready at our Cogolo office , walk down to Mostizzolo, take the train back to Mezzana , and you're right where you parked your car. No double transfers, no hassles.
If you'd like to do just the stretch from Cogolo to Mezzana —a quiet half-day, perfect with small children—just leave, drop off your bike at our place in Mezzana, and take the bus to Cogolo. This also closes the loop.
Things that ruin your day (and can be avoided)
Overpacking your backpack is a classic. It happens to everyone—families, couples, groups of friends. After twenty kilometers, your back feels the pinch. Water, a windbreaker, snacks, and a small kit are all you need. The rest stays in the car.
Not planning breaks is the other mistake. The cycle path isn't a race, and the scenery deserves at least a couple of stops: for a bite to eat, a photo, or to let the kids rest. Those who go straight ahead without stopping usually arrive at their destination tired and feeling like they've missed the best part.
For small children : Many arrive convinced of the seat and leave with the cart. The reason is practical: the child sits inside a rigid structure, is better protected from the sun and rain, and if he falls asleep, his head doesn't flop to one side. Plus, it's easy to pull. It's not suitable for all routes, but it works well on the Val di Sole bike path.
Want to make it easy? We'll organize it for you – Val di Sole cycle path
Tell us where you're staying, how many people are in your party and whether there are children, and which section you'd like to do—Cogolo→Mezzana, Mezzana→Mostizzolo, or all of Cogolo→Mostizzolo. We'll recommend the right bikes, stops, and how to manage the return journey. No time wasted.
Or book directly online: everything will be ready for collection.
