A steep shortcut at Cerete Alto leads to the old mill in Cerete Basso.

The right bank of the Borlezza stream hides a very pleasant gravel segment up to the fork to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Torre, commissioned by Charlemagne in 801 to protect his expulsion of the Lombards.

Lake Gaiano is a hidden gem, the smallest low-altitude lake in Lombardy, and can be discovered by lowering yourself on your handlebars amongst the branches.

Lake Iseo is undoubtedly better known. For geologists, the Bergamo shore is an open-air encyclopaedia, with outcroppings symbolic of the Alpine foothills, such as the argillites of Riva di Solto. The asphalt road between Riva di Solto and Lovere mimics the lakeshore giving the illusion of pedalling directly on the water. Steep cliffs to the left and lake waters to the right, often separated only by a narrow concrete wall.

From Lovere, registered in the club of ‘Italy’s most beautiful villages’, you will ascend on steep, direct roads. Now you can catch your breath, looking back and admiring the lake as you gain altitude.

Why all this effort? For the breathtaking and prolonged views along the panoramic road between Ceratello and Bossico, located at an altitude of 900 metres.

The main asphalt road takes you back to Valle Borlezzo where you get back on the secondary route used this morning.

The ‘sponda’, a steep road famous for its Giro d’Italia (Cycling Tour of Italy) stages and murals, including the famous handing of the water bottle between Bartali and Coppi, takes us into Val di Scalve. From the Dezzo, climb up to Azzone where you will enter the ‘Boschi del Giovetto di Paline’ Regional Nature Reserve.

The dense forests of ‘pagher’, European spruce, are the realm of rufa wood ants, to which an impressive sculpture by Mattia Trotta has also been dedicated. In the shade of this picturesque park, you will also find the old Furfì sawmill, and a geomorphological trail that reveals the actions of glaciers still visible on the slopes outlining Bergamo’s valleys. A steep and enjoyable descent closes the park ring.

You now face the challenge of the Sponda uphill, echoing the feats of cyclists of the past, or those who became great on these roads, such as local champion Paolo Savoldelli.

Just before returning downhill to the Presolana Pass, make a detour to the Salto degli Sposi (Spouses’ Leap). The overwhelming and sweeping view is dominated by Pizzo Camino. Here you can discover the legend of a Polish artistic couple, he a musician and she a painter, who in the 19th century made their love eternal in a leap into the void below.

The pleasantly unpaved and slightly downhill road leads to the meadows of Castello Orsetto, at the foot of the Monte Pora ski slopes. From here, the road leads back to Dorga and descends once again towards Clusone.

From Cene, you ascend through Valle Rossa, first on asphalt and then deviating onto dirt and concrete in the forest, along a road frequented by woodcutters.

From the Pass, a broad descent on a road leads to the village of Ranzanico, from where the ascent to the Ranzanico Forcella (saddle) begins. The silent panorama over Val Cavallina and Lake Endine accompanies the ascent on rough asphalt.

From the Forcella begins a long traverse consisting of ups and downs and also gentle, cyclable stretches that circle Monte Sparavera. The old Via della Lana (wool route), expanded in the 16th century to expedite the transit of Val Gandino’s highly valued wool, is a skate park for gravel bicycles, with views of Lake Iseo and Endine, broad pastures, stone huts, horses, cows and vertical bird snare structures.

Malga Lunga, a partisan stronghold and today a shelter-museum, takes us back to the asphalt. A wonderful descent through the Valle Piana leads back to Casnigo.

From Colzate, you can take the cycle path back to Clusone, or ride up to Italy’s lone sanctuary dedicated to San Patrizio (Saint Patrick), the patron saint of Ireland. Its frescoes and position clinging to dark sheer rocks are worth the effort. The route continues to the locality of Barbata, an oasis of hushed nature at the foot of severe Monte Alben. Here, a mule track, and a short stretch of single-track trail to be travelled on foot amongst the characteristic hunting tabiotti (huts) leads to Val del Riso, where you take the Val Seriana cycle path again towards Clusone.