The climb to Cancano, near the Fraele towers (1964 m asl), is well known by mountain bikers, but since it’s completely paved now it has become a destination for many racing bikers for a few years. It’s about 14 km long and the slope is very smooth.
Cancano is a plateau at almost 2000 m asl altitude among the mountains of Bormio, Livigno and the Switzerland. There are two large artificial lakes which are used to power the nearby hydroelectric dam in Premadio.
There’s also a dirt road around the lakes (Cancano II and S. Giacomo) which is often used by mountain bikers. It’s a simple trail, but its beauty is unquestionable.
The first part of the climb to the Fraele towers starts from Bormio (1225 m asl) up to Fior d'Alpe following SS 301 towards Foscagno: it’s very easy and with gentle slopes.
The real climb begins with the hairpin bends that take you higher, over the Valdidentro area. You cycle along a long and regular path up to a picnic area, where the slope gets gentler. The view of the Fraele towers - the former defensive outpost in the Bormio area - is beautiful from there.
The last part is full of hairpin bends, until you get to two small tunnels before the towers.
The average gradient of the slope is 6.9%, the maximum gradient is 8.5% and the vertical drop is almost 800 m.