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Trip Tip: Discover the Lake in Cycling Heaven

By Adam Marsal

For bike lovers there are not many places that better Lago di Garda. Around the lake in northern Italy there are more than one thousand kilometres of marked trails for all abilities. From beginners to more experienced mountain bikers. Lets visit this beautiful place.

Roads of Giro d’Italia will seduce you

Not only mountain bikers but also road cyclists will find legendary routes of Giro d’Italia. All with fantastic climbs, downhills and fabulous landscapes. The history of cycling will be rolling under your wheels and you will never forget these great days. Do you need some more reasons for visiting Lago di Garda for your cycling friendly holiday? Read on to discover:

– Where to rent a bike
– Arrange your shuttle to the best trails
– Adrenaline challenge from the top of Monte Baldo

Lago di Garda is the largest lake in Italy and creating a stunning panorama. You can ride all around the lake (the best part is are the mountainous northern end, around the villages of Torbole and Riva del Garda). Indeed these villages are so bike-oriented that there is a MTB festival every May in Riva.

You can bring your bike but it’s also easy to rent from one of the many bike shops scattered around the lake. Most of them are based at Malcesine, Riva del Garda and Torbole.

Too many great trails

There are hundreds of miles of marked trails and even more unmarked stuff. Garda was on the front line during the Great War and the mountains are interlaced by passable military trails, access roads and tunnels. This network provides the basis for some of the most interesting and exciting mountain biking you’ll ever encounter like ”Tremalzo trail” to name the most popular one.

In case you are here for the first time (you don’t want to get lost in the mountains), you can join some of the organised trips, which are arranged daily by the local bike shops. Usually you can find the schedules on the display screens or on the door.

Number 601 – The adrenaline challenge

The biggest challenge is the downhill from the top of Monte Baldo to the shore of the lake by the trail called Number 601. It’s really difficult and designed for experienced riders only. More than 2000 meters elevation difference is an unforgettable downhill experience. There are also many easier and beautiful trails accessible from the top station of Gondola, which will take you from Malcezine town to the top of the mountain range.

A holiday is usually not all about the cycling, right? The water of the lake is clear, weather mostly nice, warm and nearly subtropical. There are plenty of things to do beside pushing pedals. You can swim, you can hire a windsurf or paddle board, you can have a ride on inline skates or you can try organised canyoning or one of the world-famous “via ferrata” climbing ways. This place is so lovely that it was the first and only choice when we organised our summer cycling Adventure Camp.