001 - Greenways del torrente Morla

ATTENTION, due to construction work on the T2 line, interruptions may be encountered along the route (April 2024).

The Morla torrent, from the Canto Alto where it has its source, flows through the Baderem valley and, after passing the towns of Sorisole and Ponteranica, crosses the city of Bergamo to then lose itself in the plain, branching off into various irrigation canals between the towns of Comun Nuovo and Spirano. The 'Greenways' cycle-pedestrian route, starting from Valtesse (Campo Utili area) goes up the stream to the hamlet of Ramera, in the municipality of Ponteranica. It is an itinerary that makes it possible to approach the Colli di Bergamo from the north-east side and to discover, along a new route, little-known aspects of this part of the city. The route is easy, all asphalted, and also suitable for the accompaniment of disabled persons in 'wheelchairs'. Divided into three sections, it allows one to enter and exit at different municipal roads.
From Via Baioni, opposite house no. 19 (car park nearby), you enter the path and, after about 200 metres, cross a first wooden bridge that leads to the orographic right bank of the stream. From here, the route winds its way through woods and meadows, skirting the Morla stream; on the left, the imposing bastions of the S. Agostino complex and the walls of the Upper Town come into view. After 500 metres, leave a small concrete bridge on the right and continue to the point where there are benches and a water fountain, (1300 m. from the start; about 40'). Proceeding to the left, we follow Via Maironi da Ponte and, after 100 m., enter the second section which, at the beginning, runs parallel to Via Valverde. After about 650 m., we turn right to cross a second wooden bridge; shortly afterwards, a third bridge takes us back to the orographic right of the stream, which we follow as far as the junction with Via Valverde. This is where the second section ends, (1200 m. approx. 35'). We follow Via Valverde to the right for 170 metres, then leave it to begin the last stretch, which continues through meadows and cultivated fields in view of the hills. After about 600 metres, having passed a wooden footbridge, a short descent leads to Via Castagneta, where the last stretch ends (800 m. approx. 25'). Turning right, you arrive at the junction with the Valle Brembana provincial road 470. On the left, a little further on at Via Valmarina 3, is the headquarters of the Parco Regionale dei Colli di Bergamo. We start from the car park in Piazzale del Lazzaretto. We join the cycle track. We reach the parish of Valverde. Near the area reserved for dogs, the first section of the cycle path ends. Turning left and crossing the road, we soon reach the beginning of the track on the right. After riding along the flat section, we come to the bridge over the Morla stream on the right. After crossing the bridge we continue to the left. A little further on we come to a fork with a small chapel. Taking the left, we climb up onto a bridge to cross the Morla again. At the end of this stretch we reach a small fountain. We turn onto the road that joins the other piece of cycle path leading to via Castagneta. We ride slightly uphill. We now cross a wooden footbridge to via Castagneta. At the end of the bicycle path, we turn left. After a short stretch of via Castagneta, we take the cycle path again, turning right. We skirt the headquarters of the Parco dei Colli. At the crossroads, we keep to the left, the asphalt road becomes a little steep. Having crossed Via delle Primule we resume the cycle track towards Ponteranica. Our route continues and we turn left onto an asphalt road. From asphalt, for a short stretch the route becomes unpaved. We reach the mouth of the tunnel. The exit of the tunnel takes us to the car park of the Ponteranica railway station. We continue our route on the railway track. We arrive on the main road, which will take us to Bergamo, turning right into Via Valbona. At the crossroads, we cross the road and, turning slightly to the left, we go into via Matteotti. We pass the playground until we reach via Raboni. At the stop sign we continue along the asphalt road, crossing a crossroads and continuing straight on. We continue keeping to the right. The dirt track brings us to via Crocefisso on an asphalted road. We pass the car park, which leads to the track under the Fabriciano highway. At via Crocefisso we turn right, walking on the pavement, until we reach the junction with via Bravi. We enter the subway towards the church in via Crocefisso. The small shrine. We cross and walk left along via Bravi, the inner street is little frequented by vehicles. We cross via Pescaria to continue along via Angelini. At the end of via Angelini we continue left into via Pinetti. We continue along the avenue that will take us back to our starting point in Piazzale del Lazzaretto at the car park. Parking... Best not to do this on Saturday mornings because it is a market zone.