{"id":4250,"date":"2026-04-26T16:26:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T14:26:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valchiavenna.com\/biking-cuccioli-in-sella\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T18:40:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T16:40:51","slug":"biking-en-down-by-the-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.valchiavenna.com\/en\/biking-en-down-by-the-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Biking en down by the river"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the saddle from Chiavenna to Lake Mezzola, discovering the animals getting ready to welcome their young this spring.
\nSpring gives families the chance to enjoy plenty of outings along Valchiavenna’s network of cycling paths. Among the many routes available to those on two wheels, the one starting from Chiavenna and following the Mera River all the way to Lake Mezzola is certainly one of the finest to ride at this time of year.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Not only because the entire route runs slightly downhill (you might consider taking the train back), but above all because at this time of year the ride offers an extraordinary opportunity to spot, along the way, the newest arrivals among the many species that inhabit this stretch of land.<\/p>\n

Taking your children to discover and observe these animals in their natural habitat is perhaps the most rewarding experience to share on a bike.<\/p>\n

The route
\nIf you’re arriving by car in Chiavenna, we suggest parking on Via Aldo Moro, in the free parking area near the sports field.<\/p>\n

From here, the cycle path sets off alongside the river, running through the towns of Mese, Gordona, and Samolaco, before reaching the lake at Novate Mezzola, for a total of 17 kilometers.<\/p>\n

Hares and kingfishers
\nAs you get closer to the lake, it’s easy to spot the animals that live along this stretch of waterway. Near the embankment, for example, young hares often dart across the cycle path, startled by the arrival of the bikes. Curiosity makes them freeze at the edge of the trail, letting themselves be photographed. Less easygoing but just as fascinating is the kingfisher, recognizable by its bright blue plumage contrasting with its orange breast. In April you can spot the pair busy foraging food for their chicks.<\/p>\n

Swans and coots
\nThe last stretch along the river before the lake offers the chance to see swans sitting on their eggs. The nest is usually near the shore, in a spot sheltered by vegetation, built from dry branches. The female lays between 5 and 8 eggs, which are incubated with the male’s help for about 35 days.<\/p>\n

At hatching, the cygnets have grey plumage. Coots \u2014 identifiable by the white patch in the center of their head \u2014 begin building their nests in March, using reeds, rushes, and various plant material. The chicks, known as “pulli,” display bright plumage that indicates their hatching order.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the saddle from Chiavenna to Lake Mezzola, discovering the animals getting ready to welcome their young this spring. Spring gives families the chance to enjoy plenty of outings along Valchiavenna’s network of cycling paths. Among the many routes available to those on two wheels, the one starting from Chiavenna and following the Mera River […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2080,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[123],"tags":[],"categoria-territorio":[87,88],"class_list":["post-4250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","categoria-territorio-chiavenna","categoria-territorio-lakes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBiking en down by the river – Valchiavenna<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In the saddle from Chiavenna to Lake Mezzola, discovering the animals getting ready to welcome their young this spring. 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