La via del ferro
- Activity
- Slow bike
- Distance
- 86 km
- Elevation drop
- 777 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 3 days
- Minimum altitude
- 135 m a.s.l.
- Maximum altitude
- 616 m a.s.l.
General description
A journey that from Brescia goes towards Valle Trompia along the Greenway retracing the path of iron, starting from the hammers where it was worked up to the mines where the mineral was extracted. A tour of handicrafts, natural landscapes and industrial archaeology.
With just under 100 km spread over three days and a daily altitude difference that never exceeds 400 meters, this route is open to cyclists of all levels.
Terrain: mixed route on dedicated bike path and secondary roads.
For this tour it is possible to request luggage transport service.
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Day 1
Route description
Arrival by own means in Brescia.
Departure to the village of Ome: through a bike path that crosses part of Franciacorta, you will reach themuseum site called Borgo del Maglio di Ome (village of the mallet in Ome ) - Maglio Averoldi (Averoldi Mallet), where on Saturday and Sunday you can see a vintage hammer in operation, still activated thanks to the power of water. The visit consists also of a demonstration of metalworking.
Cycling again through the hills to reach the village of Gardone Val Trompia, famous worldwide for metalworking. Gardone is, in fact, also known fot the historic Beretta, the world's oldest active arms factory, is located.
Overnight at the hotel, free dinner.
40 km 400 m D+
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Day 2
Route description
Breakfast and visit to the Museo delle Armi e della Tradizione Armiera di Gardone Val Trompia (Museum of Weapons and Armour Tradition), where you can admire antique weapons magnificently decorated with engravings, still made by the craftsmen of the valley.
The next step is riding back towards the Upper Valley where the industrial buildings give way to the natural mountain landscape and cycling along the track becomes an unexpected experience!
Stop at the historic melting furnace of Tavernole sul Mella Museo Il Forno Di Tavernole (Museum the Furnace of Tavernole). During the visit we will observe a spectacular building dating back to the 15th century, in which the metal was extracted from minerals and melted.
The last stop of the day is Pezzaze.
11 km 200 m D+
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Day 3
Route description
Breakfast and departure. The journey along the iron path leads to the mine where the mineral was extracted.
The visit to the Museo Le Miniere di Pezzaze (Museum The World of the Miners and the Art of Iron and Marzoli Mine) is a journey in the heart of the mountain that traces the history and tradition of the Upper Valle Trompia.
From the mine, before returning to Brescia, the itinerary includes a visit to Museo Orma, Archaeological Museum of Valle Trompia, where there are exhibits from various eras and a collection of work tools from 1800-1900.37 km 250 m D+