Starting from the picturesque village of Ponteranica to Bergamo’s historic Città Alta, you will discover a section of the Nembro-Bergamo leg of the Via delle Sorelle, a 130-kilometer route that connects, bidirectionally Brescia to Bergamo.
Reach Ponteranica by bus No. 7 or 9 and leave from the Church of Saints Alexander and Vincent, 13 Leo XIII Street. The original structure dates back to the 15th century, with a neo-Gothic restoration that especially characterizes the interior, decorated with vaults and painted walls. The exterior retains a 15th-century style, except for the tall bell tower, which shows 19th-century interventions. Enter the interior of the church and admire the Resurrection of Christ. By the famous Venetian painter Lorenzo Lotto from 1522.Once the visit is over, the descent from Via IV Novembre, through pleasant village streets, to the bicycle and pedestrian paths that cross the Park of the Hills begins. The landscape is a living picture, where you can meet squirrels and observe the blooms of trefoil anemones and wild primroses.
From Via IV Novembre follow the blue and red path signs, direction ‘Bergamo’, from here skirting the Morla stream, take Via Faustina on the left, to find yourself on Via Gianbattista Moroni. Proceed until you cross Via Ramera, paying attention, where you take Via Strada al Mulino, which will take you onto the Morla and Quisa Greenway, also known as the Sombreno Cycle Path. The fully paved bike path is suitable for both adults and children, and offers an enchanting backdrop of the Upper Town Walls. The atmosphere becomes almost magical as you ride through the woods, with views of the former Valmarina Monastery, a Benedictine institution dating back to 1150, at the center of the protected area of the Colli di Bergamo Regional Park. At kilometer 3.7 take a right onto trail 910, which is characterized by steep inclines. This section requires attention, because the next 200 meters have an uneven surface. Past this section, you reach Via dei Roccoli, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the plains below.
After traveling another 600 meters, you come to the Church of St. Sebastian, also dedicated to St. Mary of Mercy. Inside you can see frescoes dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, and, thanks to a recent restoration, also frescoes dating from the late 14th century. From here begins the Scaletta di via del Rione, a scenic, unprotected path that will give you breathtaking views, continuing on via Alle Case Moroni to find yourself on via San Sebastiano until you reach via S. Vigilio.
