731. Anello Garda Sarca (Cross Country)
Author’s recommendation
Rest Stop
Al Fortino Bike Bar & FoodAqua Ristorante
Caffè Ristorante Pizzeria Casa Beust
L’Ora - San Nicolò (Ristorante-Pizzeria-Gelateria)
Ristorante Pizzeria La Piccola Dallas
Ristorante Antica Croce
Ristorante La Terrazza
Wine Shop - Cantina Mezzacorona
Safety information
BIKER’S CODE OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Plan your ride
- Share the trail with other users
- Yield right of way to hikers
- Let your speed be determined by your experience
- Ride slowly on crowded trails, overtake with politeness and respect
- Cycle only on authorized and open trails
- Avoid muddy trails in order not to damage them further
- Respect nature, plants, animals and the trail
- Do not frighten animals
- Take your rubbish home with you
- Respect public and private property
- Always be selfsufficient
- Do not cycle solo in remote areas
- Take back home only good pics
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMET !
Suggestions taken from NORBA and IMBA codes of conduct.
The information on this chart is subject to inevitable variations, so this means that none of the indications are absolute. It is not entirely possible to avoid giving inexact or imprecise information, given how quickly environmental and weather conditions can change. For this reason we decline any responsibility for changes which the user may encounter. In any case, the hiker is advised to check the conditions of the places, environment and weather before setting out.
Tips, hints and links
- This is an official route of the Garda Trentino Provincial Network of MTB routes, regularly maintained and accompanied by specific signage. A summary of the legislation is available on our website: www.gardatrentino.it
- For more information on routes and bike services: rentals, workshops, shops and cycling friendly accommodation: APT Garda Trentino, Tel. +39 0464 554444 www.gardatrentino.it
- The texts relating to the route described in this sheet have been produced by Marco Giacomello, mountain bike guide.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The starting point is from Parco delle Busatte, not far from the centre of Torbole, where there is also a free car park. The route, passing all the popular nearby tourist areas can actually be picked up at any of these points. Starting from the park, you immediately, well guided by the signs, descend towards the centre of Torbole. Once in Piazza Goethe, keep right a few dozen meters on the Strada Statale Lungolago - main road along the lake. Turn left onto Via Benaco, and from here, follow the cycle-pedestrian path that runs along the lake towards Riva del Garda. Just before reaching the centre of the town there is the mouth of a stream, follow it round to the right, heading north toward Varone.
Cross the main road - Viale Rovereto and continue to follow the cycle path / stream up to Varone. Here, at the traffic controlled crossroads turn left, then take an immediate right - you should go past an old church on your left. The next turn will be near to a fountain, where begins a beautiful climb amongst the olive trees towards Deva. Eventually you will meet a minor provincial road at a hairpin bend, continuing to climb, cross the hairpin and then turn immediately right. After a short stretch of gravel track, you will meet and continue on to the main road - SP37 where you climb for 1km.
Keep right and take the short cement ramp up on to Via Molini, which leads to Tenno Castle, on the opposite side of the narrow valley. At the red stop road sign, close to the castle ruins - keep right and after a few dozen meters, cross the main road to take a slightly uphill road on the left. Follow the signs along the gravel road Strada del Pil - climbing up to Alto (High) Garda. Once in Volta di No, you will find a paved road, and following the signs continue on to descend into Varignano. Here there is another short stretch of gravel, then a series of steep cement bends between the olive trees. At the end of the descent, near a village, turn left to Padaro. After about 700 meters of climbing follow the signs, turning right through the gravel roads of the olive groves towards Arco.
Once in central Arco, at the foot of the castle, continue to climb, keeping to the left, in the direction of Laghel. The gradient gradually increases until you reach the small church of Santa Maria di Laghel. Continue straight here, for about 1.5 km, then turn right, taking you down to the bottom of the valley. Along this stretch of descent, there are steep, alternating sections of concrete and gravel. At the junction near Maso Lizzone, turn left, continuing to climb the valley through the beautiful countryside. Nearing the centre of Dro, you will again find smooth asphalt roads. Following the signs - your next destination is an easy forest road, at the foot of Monte Brento, in the direction of Pietramurata.
On the last part of this segment, the short uphill section is rather bumpy and with a slightly exposed section at the summit. Once near a motocross park, you will find a small asphalt road that then joins the SS45bis main road, follow this heading north. It is advisable to remain on the pavement that runs alongside it however. After about 300 meters, near to the centre of the village, take the secondary road on your right. You are in Pietramurata! Following the road round to the right you will continue through the town, past the church and across the Sarca river. Here you must turn right as the route starts to loop back south, crossing the countryside for the cycle path to Dro.
Once in the Monte Taglio area, the directions of the route lead off the cycle path, following instead the path to the left. The initial stretch is full of ups and downs through the undergrowth, with sections of quite pronounced rocks, but stable rocks.
With Lago di Cavedine in your sights, the descent to water level begins. Pass an old electric plant building and follow the gravel road until you meet the main road to the lake. Keep left, then immediately turn right where you will resume climbing through the Trebi area. Cycling through the vineyards makes for a splendid experience, especially in spring and autumn. From here you can admire Cavedine lake and the mountains Brento and Casale. Paganella is on the left, in the background, with the slopes of Monte Bondone on the right.
After some more climbing on asphalt, you will reach the pylons of the electric line. Here you must turn right, ready to face the most challenging descent of the whole route. Once you get to the main road for Drena, cross it and continue your descent using the path on the other side. The gradients are not too steep here, but the terrain is rather unstable. Meeting the main road again, follow it in a southerly direction for just over 600 meters, then turn left, continuing off road, in the direction of Arco. When you reach the main road junction at Moletta, continue south, remaining for a short time on the pavement on the left side of the road. At the next turning, keep left, continuing to follow the directions of the route. Using the safer internal roads, you will go through the small towns of Massone and Bolognano.
Once in Vignole, you will meet a main road at a traffic light. Cross it, and take the secondary road on the other side. At the fork, keep right and follow the signs which will guide you through the area of Prato Saiano - to Nago, for the last climb of the day. Pay particular attention when crossing the main road at the Sesto Grado bar, it’s on a hairpin bend! After completing the last cement section, near to a busy roundabout, continue on your right to Via Scipio Sighele, heading toward the characteristic centre of Nago. At the end of the town, there is a slight climb in the direction of Monte Baldo... Nearly there! One last descent on concrete, and you will re-emerge on to Lake Garda where you can quickly reach the start point in Torbole.
Note
Public transport
Public transport friendly
The towns in Garda Trentino - Riva del Garda, Torbole sul Garda, Nago and Arco – are connected by a number of urban and intercity bus lines which will take you to the starting point of the trail. For up-to-the-minute information on timetables and routes: www.gardatrentino.it
You can also get to Riva del Garda and Torbole sul Garda by the public ferry service. For up-to-the-minute information on timetables and routes: www.gardatrentino.it
Info about bike public transport: www.gardatrentino.it
Getting there
Getting to northern Lake Garda / Garda Trentino: www.gardatrentino.it
Parking
In Torbole there are free parking places in Via Strada Granda or in the Busatte area. Pay parking in the Parcheggio Panorama and Lungolago Conca d'OroCoordinates
Author’s map recommendations
- Garda Trentino BIKE map – On sale in information offices in Riva del Garda, Arco and Torbole and online
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Riding your bike requires specific clothing and equipment, even for relatively short and easy trips. It is always better to be prepared… e.g. for bad weather or a drop your energy levels. The unexpected things also make up a part of the fun!
Remember to throughly evaluate the type of route you plan to do, the locations you plan to cross and the current season. Has it been raining? Attention: The paths may be slippery and require more caution.
What do I need to bring on my bike tour?
- An adequate water supply according to your needs (considering temperature, possibility of refuelling and duration of the route)
- Plenty of snacks (for example, dried fruit or energy bars)
- Waterproof / Windproof jacket.
- A spare top / spare socks. (Descending in a sweaty garment, will make you cold)
- Suncream
- Sunglasses
- Bike gloves/mitts
- Map or GPS device
- Bike lights: best placed on your helmet or handlebars. (It is always best to be prepared)
- Bike repair kit for punctures and mechanical breakdowns
- First aid kit
- Emergency whistle
It is always advised to let someone know where you plan to go and how long you expect to be.
Emergency telephone number 112
Questions and answers
Reviews
Photos from others