Mountain biking around Lake Garda, Italy

A leisurely cycling holiday designed for families who are looking for an activity filled week that will not only please the little ones but will also give parents the time to enjoy the fantastic array of fine arts, culture and of course the delicious Italian food and wine that Lake Garda has to offer. You will begin your ride south of the lake, not far from Desenzano. This is an ideal location to explore the lake and surrounding rolling hills through quiet country lanes and picturesque vineyards. Views of the lake are absolutely breathtaking, and there is no better way to finish the day by settling down with a tasty Italian Gelato or a swim in the lake!

Mid-week, you will board a ferry to Limone where you have time to explore this quaint little town on the lake shore, before taking the next ferry on to Torbole. The second part of your trip is full to the brim of yet more cycling through magnificent landscapes. Time to take it easy and relax after four days in the saddle, with a rest day scheduled on day six. There are an array of activities on offer to keep you entertained including rock climbing, canoeing, windsurfing on the lake, and yet more Gelati! There will even be the option of a day trip to Italy’s number one amusement park, Garda Land!

Your final ride to the Sarca Valley is simply lovely! Exploring the beautiful vineyards, fruit groves and mirror-like lakes with the ever present dramatic rock faces either side of you the whole way; this is a great way to end a fantastic and unforgettable holiday.

If you like the sound of Lake Garda but are looking for something a bit more challenging then why not try one of our Lake Garda mountain biking trips? See our website or give us a call for details.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
Following arrival in Verona we depart by support vehicle to the Italian region of Trento, north of Lake Garda, your first base for the holiday. Driving towards the foothills of the Alps, north of the lake, we soon get a taste of the terrain and landscapes we’ll be enjoying in the days to come. After settling in at our hotel we put our bikes together and, time permitting, take a quick leg stretching ride before sitting down to our first Italian meal, freshly prepared by our host.

Day 2
A great introduction to this region, riding in the foothills of the Brenta Dolomites. Leaving Andalo, we ride along Lake Molveno in some wide tracks, heading towards the foothills of the Paganella range. From here our first challenge for the week, a nice steady climb to reach the refuge, at mt 1610 where we stop for lunch. Now the fun begins.. as we start the descent through forests towards San Giovanni and on to Val Lomasona. A shuttle transfer will take us back to Andalo.

Day 3
Today you will appreciate the Brenta Dolomites and Adamello glacier from the top of Paganella range! First, we ride through forests on well beaten tracks, gradually climbing to gain height. The vegetation will thin out as we are in sight of the  top of the Paganella, with stunning views opening up to deep valleys descending towards the Adige. A last push on steeper and more demanding terrain will take us to the top. Taking our time to take in the 360 degree view of the Brenta, Logorai and the Dolomites, we spend the afternoon enjoying our reward: a fantastic singletrack descent through forest leading us to Malga Terlago After a short break, we embark again on another section of trails and singletracks that will leave you grinning from ear to ear, finally reaching the outskirts just above Andalo. A last section on tarmac will lead us quickly into Andalo in time for beers and ice creams in Piazza!

Day 4
Today’s riding is a mix of terrains and changing landscape from the Alpine scenery of the Brenta and Paganella to the Mediterranean atmosphere of the Sarca Valley. The first part of this route takes us past Lake Molveno on the south shore along forested tracks and trails. At the far end of the lake, we change side of the valley and after a gradual climb, reach the west slopes of Mt Gazza. This will lead us into Lamaro’ Gorge, cut by ancient glaciers with the Sarca rushing wildly below. Reaching Ranzo, we take a break in this stunning location, a natural balcony overlooking the Sarca Valley, Val Rendena and Lake Garda to the south. From here we head to the Marocche region along the Sarche Valley, passing the romantic lake Toblino and it’s castle. After crossing the main road in the centre of Pietramurata village the journey continues running along dirt tracks on the other side of the Sarca River. The route runs through the rocky post-glacial esert landscape known as Marocche. After a short stretch of asphalt you proceed through the leafy plum orchards towards Maso Giare and Moletta. We then pass through the hamlets of San Martino and on to Arco. Here we stop or drinks and ice cream in the Church square before heading to our next Agriturismo accommodation. Time for a swim in the pool, before heading out for dinner at one of the restaurants by Lake Garda.

Day 5
Two mountain ranges to the north east of Lake Garda, the trails wind up through dense forests, to then open up to fantastic vistas of Lake Garda and of the Benaco range. We leave the Agriturismo and after a short warm up, we start a steady climb on a shaded forest road, leading us to the little hamlet of Santa Barbara. Stopping for lunch at the little church, we have time to regain our strength for the afternoon riding. Starting off with a simple but fun singletrack, this will lead us to the best of Mt Velo trails: sections of gentle downhill will alternate with sections of slalom through the trees. The surface of the trails will alternate between smooth sections with beds of leaves and rocky ones, to capture your biking imagination and skills! In Nago, after a short break, we set off on the last, but fast descent to Lake Garda, reaching in no time Torbole. Stopping for a celebratory “hops” recovery drink by the lake, time to share memories of a fantastic day.

Day 6
We start the day with a transfer, taking us to the west part of the lake. Unloading our bikes high up in the Mt Tramalzo range, we tackle a series of climbs and descents, with breathtaking views, as we bike along the ridge before reaching Passo Rochetta. A short break is a must to admire the sheer cliffs dropping down into the blue lake and Mount Baldo on the opposite side. From here we turn off to the right towards Guil, downhilling for another few km before heading right and climbing again as far as Passo Guil. After this a little path among the meadows drops down to Malga Vil opening out towards the green valley of Leano. The final section of ancient military road along the lake is a flowing descent.. taking right us right into Riva del Garda square.. where the ride comes to an end.

Day 7
Following another delightful breakfast, Italian style, we depart early morning for home.

Equipment
We provide everything except personal equipment, clothing and a bike (although you are able to hire bikes). Apart from your emergency tool kit & spare inner tube (s) you will not be required to take any extra equipment. If you are planning on bringing your own bike we strongly advise a mountain bike with a minimum of 24 gears and at least front suspension as well as tyres with an appropriate level of tread for the trip. It is essential that your bike is in good working order and so if you are not mechanically minded we recommend taking your bike to a local bicycle dealer for a service in good time before departure.

What the price doesn't include
A) Personal clothing and equipment.
B) Travel insurance (available if required, £26).
C) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
D) Bike hire (if required £140)
E) Single room option (if required £140)
F) Entrance fees to archaeological sites.