Domodossola-Riale by bike: 40 km via Cascata del Toce

From Domodossola to Riale, via Cascata del Toce, it's about 40 km by bike, one way. It's a demanding ride for a reasonably fit cyclist. That's especially true when you factor in the return. Despite the scenery, we stopped before finishing the climb. The distance and fatigue caught up with us.

The road passes through Crodo, Baceno and Premia. The first 20 km are mostly gently sloping, with short climbs. The gradients increase as you approach upper Val Formazza.

Just after Foppiano, you can avoid the tunnel. Take the old road instead; it's closed to cars. It has about 3 km of tree-lined hairpin bends. You'll climb nearly 300 meters along the way. It's an interesting stretch, but a tiring one. You rejoin the main road near Fondovalle. There, the gradients ease off for a while.

After Ponte, the climb resumes. Near Sotto Frua, you'll see the Cascata del Toce. It drops 143 meters. The waterfall reaches its highest flow only during scheduled openings. Check the schedule on the Val Formazza tourism website before leaving. From the top, Riale is about 2 km away. You'll climb another 100 meters to reach it. Riale sits at around 1,730 meters.

The route is entirely paved, so a road bike works. Cars and motorcycles share the road with you. The old hairpin bends after Foppiano are the exception. If you take the tunnel, you need front and rear lights. You'll find drinking fountains in the villages. But there are none along the old road after Foppiano.

Want a shorter ride without missing the climb's highlights? Consider starting from Premia or somewhere closer to the waterfall.