Passo Bonello

Dogs Unknown

This is a really peaceful run on a quiet forest road that climbs steadily from Cabbio towards the Passo Bonello (pass) on the Italo-Swiss border. Most of the route is heavily forested and the surface is mostly earthen. Several long switchbacks make the grade more tolerable. The route is well marked as part of the Valle di Muggio loop with the standard red/yellow Swiss MTB signage, trail #353.

The route starts from the center of Cabbio with a grind up 450 m (1,500 ft) over 4.7 km (2.9 mi) to the Passo Bonello. When you reach the farm just before the pass, turn left at the farm and then right shortly thereafter to continue climbing to the pass. The border is only about 0.2 km (0.1 mi) beyond the farm. It's marked only with an iron gate, which was closed when I arrived, but it's possible to pass yourself through the gate.

After that, a quick 2 km (1.2 mi) descent takes you to the main road Strada Provinciale SP15. Here, there's a big meadow overlooking Lago di Como (lake). On a nice weekend, you're likely to find the area covered in happy Italians having picnics and playing pickup games of football (soccer) and frisbee along with a number of food carts.