For beginners, there’s a skill centre at Aprica where they can hone their technique and take lessons – it’s also suitable for children. If you’re into cross country, try the Via dei Terrazzamenti, a 70km long route that takes you past many of Valtellina’s most stunning views. Or if it’s something more sedate you’re after, you can potter along the valley floor on the eminently family friendly Sentiero Valtellina, or the Valchiavenna cycle path.

If you’re a fan of almost any kind of cycling, Valtellina is basically paradise.

Where to Stay

There are an abundance of accommodation options to suit all budgets in Valtellina – from BnB’s to self-catered apartments, chalets and hotels. La Fiorida is one of our favourites. It’s an agriturismo, a particularly Italian combination of farm and guesthouse where the majority of the food served is produced on site. Even if you’re not staying there, it’s well worth a visit – the menu is simply stunning.

Another excellent spot is the Grand Hotel Della Posta in the picturesque town of Sondrio. The stately-looking building dates from the 19th century, but it boasts everything you could want from a modern hotel, including a spa.

Where to Eat

Aside from La Fiorida, there are a plethora of excellent places to eat in Valtellina. This is after all, a region famed for local delicacies like Bresaola, a kind of cured beef and cheeses like Bitto, Casera and Scimudin.

Trippi in Sondrio is well worth a visit, with its young management serving an imaginative menu that puts a contemporary twist on Italian classics. If you’re after something more traditional, try Altavilla in Bianzone, where local dishes are served in a rustic setting. The terrace offers particularly good views.

Where to Drink

No-one would come to Valtellina for the clubbing but Livigno, as a world-class ski resort, boasts its fair share of good bars – try Marco’s Bar or Daphne’s pub if you’re after a bit of a party atmosphere. Wherever you’re staying you’ll be able to find a friendly local café willing to serve you up an aperitivo.

For us however, the highlight of Valtellina is the wine. The valley is famous for Valtellina Superiore and Sforzato. The latter is a fortified wine (akin to a sherry or the amerone produced in the region around Verona) produced from partially dried grapes that’s absolutely delicious.

Whatever kind of bike you ride, we’d recommend taking an afternoon off ‘serious’ cycling to cruise around the various local wineries, sampling their produce as you go. Nino Negri, where they make an excellent Valtellina Superiore, is a great place to start.

More Information

For further information on visiting Valtellina, check out the official website.