The 8 best touring spots in Trentino: Military trails between the Dolomites and Lake Garda

​Tremalzo, Brenta, Sellaronda, 100 Kilometri dei Forti, Val Venegia – can you name the great cycling adventures Trentino has already offered you? If not, no problem. Here are the eight top cycling spots in the Italian province, along with their best routes.

In 2031, the Trentino host the UCI Cycling World Championships. In other words, the world championships for all cycling disciplines. The Italian province nestled between the Dolomites and Lake Garda has plenty of work ahead of it before then. Yet Trentino has always been considered one of the absolute classic cycling regions. Mountain bikers are particularly taken with its military roads dating from the First World War: Lake Garda, Pasubio, Val Venegia, Marmolada, Alpe Cimbra – the bucket list of spectacular zigzag trails carved into the rock is long. And now there are also extensive routes for gravel bikers. Here are the eight Trentino bike spots that are fully geared up for cyclists right through to autumn:

Alpe Cimbra: On the front line

During the First World War, the Alpe Cimbra offered a decisive advantage: whoever captured it sat on the plateau as if in a gigantic fortress and could survey the enemy’s movements down in the valleys. The old forts and fortresses, the extensive network of military roads – including the Kaiserjägerweg leading up from Valsugana – are still there, as is the magnificent view. The best way to experience history up close is on this iconic route:

Classic Tour: The 100 Kilometri dei Forti

• Length: 101.6 kilometres
• 2,782 metres of elevation gain

The tour is also known as ‘The Emperor’s Seven Fortresses’. As some of the forts are open to visitors, and because the constant ups and downs between Lavarone, Lusérn and Folgaria are no mean feat, cyclists often plan a trip lasting several days and stay overnight in mountain huts or agriturismi along the way.

Information and other tours: alpecimbra.it

Dolomiti Paganella Bike Park

Since 2010, the locals at Cima Paganella have been building their own paradise. At first, there were just a few technical rock trails for experts, but three distinct biking zones soon emerged: The Molveno zone with flow lines, the Andalo zone with playful red to dark red runs, and the Fai zone, home to the challenging black lines. But the bike park between Brenta and Lake Molveno continues to grow: with the almost 3.5-kilometre-long ‘Duel’ trail and the ‘Top Gun’ (4.7 km), which is opening this year, the bike park zones are now seamlessly linked. Quite simply: one of the most versatile bike parks in the Alps, situated by one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps.

• Trail network: 100 kilometres
• Cable cars: 10 across 3 zones (Gravity Card spot)
• Season: 29 May – October
• Info: dolomitipaganellabike.com

Val di Fassa: Home of the Sella

The star tour in Val di Fassa is, of course, the Sellaronda, which starts right on your doorstep. The brand-new 3S cable car up to Col Rodella now gets you to the Fassa Bike Park even faster, and the park is set to gain a few new lines this summer as well. But if you prefer something more peaceful and idyllic, head for the emerald-green Lake Carezza or turn off at Pozza into the unspoilt Val San Nicolò. The tour from Campitello to Val Duron is also particularly beautiful, where the view opens up to the Rosengarten and Denti di Terra Rossa. Here, horses and highland cattle graze in vast alpine meadows.

The top tours

To Val Duron

• Length: 20.7 kilometres
• Ascent: 763 metres

From Campitello to Val Duron, past the picturesque village of Pian. It is one of the most spectacular valleys in the Fassa region, nestled between the Dolomite walls of the Catinaccio massif, Sassolungo and Sassopiatto. With a battery charging station at Rifugio Micheluzzi.

To Val San Nicolò

• Length: 18 kilometres
• Ascent: 682 metres

A hike from Pozza di Fassa to Val San Nicolò. The route features gentle gradients through typical alpine meadow landscapes. At the end of the valley, the spectacular waterfall of the San Nicolò stream and a rustic mountain hut await.

Information on tours, the area and GPS data: fassa.com

Val di Sole: World-class panoramic tours

Let no one say that Val di Sole is all about bike park trails! On the “Epic Tour Great War”, you can really put some serious elevation gain under your belt. The route climbs up to an altitude of 2,613 metres in the Stelvio National Park. You’ll pass fascinating relics from the Mountain War and return via a unique ridge trail along the Montozzo Pass (59 km / 2,278 m elevation gain). A mega tour!

Another top tour:

Malga Campo Trail

• Length: 29.1 kilometres
• Ascent: 1,261 metres

A superb ride high above the Val di Sole: an easy-to-ride climb above the tree line offering spectacular views of the Adamello-Presanella glacier, a cosy mountain hut for a break, and then a fairly challenging trail back down into the Valle Pejo (S1–S3).

Information and GPS coordinates: valdisolebikeland.com

Madonna di Campiglio: The Brenta stronghold

The ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio is flanked by the high-alpine peaks of the Presanella and Brenta Dolomites. The rock towers rise almost vertically from the ground. In other words: as a mountain biker, you can enjoy the spectacular backdrop, but pedalling up to the fortress is virtually impossible. So you either cycle round these visual highlights – as on the classic Brenta circuit – or you seek out the narrow gaps that the two rocky bastions have left for touring cyclists. Such as, for example, the nearby Valle del Chiese, which is packed with trails.

Dates

Madonna di Campiglio has been hosting a bike marathon for ten years: Dolomitica Brenta Bike (67 km/41 km). The e-bike route doesn’t have a stopwatch, but it does have some great places to stop for a bite to eat. Date: 27 June.

Top tours

1 Lap of Brenta

• Length: 136 kilometres
• Ascent: 4,600 metres

The classic route around the Brenta mainly follows the valley paths and can be comfortably cycled in three stages. However, there are a few challenging alternatives. Baggage transport is also available. Information: dolomitibrentabike.it

2-hour tightrope walker tour

• Length: 23.8 kilometres
• Ascent: 1,012 metres

The tour starts near Cologna in the Valle del Chiese and features two truly spectacular trails: the six-kilometre-long ridge trail between Passo di Rango and Passo Giovo, and a spectacular beech forest trail leading towards the church of San Lorenzo, which winds through a rocky gorge before finally returning to the banks of the Chiese.

Information and GPS data for all tours: campigliodolomiti.it

Val di Fiemme: The valley for gravel cyclists

Val di Fiemme and Val di Cembra, with all their idyllic charm, lie directly adjacent to Val di Fassa. Nestled between the Dolomites and the Lagorai range, you can cycle at a leisurely pace along gentle forest paths and quiet roads, passing through villages and up to cosy mountain huts. Always at altitudes that are snow-free and lush green even in spring. In the magical spruce forests of the Paneveggio Nature Park, you can even spot deer, whilst cows graze peacefully on the pastures of Alpe Lusia. Highlight: The Lavazè plateau, which offers stunning views.

The Top Tour

Lavazè Plateau

• Length: 42.6 kilometres
• Ascent: 1,079 metres

The route starts at Passo Lavazè and climbs on tarmac up to Passo Oclini at an altitude of 2,000 metres. This is where the off-road section begins: along the Butterloch Gorge with its colourful geological strata, then across pastures offering magnificent views. And where the view of the Dolomites is particularly impressive, a rustic mountain hut awaits.

​Info: visitfiemme.it

San Martino di Castrozza: The Val Venegia Spot

San Martino di Castrozza lies nestled between the majestic Dolomite peaks of the Pale di San Martino and the Lagorai mountains. Its touring area stretches from Val Venegia over the Passo Rolle to the romantic valleys of Primiero and Vanoi, and via Val Canali to Sagron Mis. From 10–13 September, the MTB Marathon World Championships will take place in this stunning landscape (Primiero).

The top tours

Val Venegia Circuit

• Length: 16.2 kilometres
• Ascent: 583 metres

The Val Venegia – the BIKE Transalp route has passed through this spectacular Dolomite valley on several occasions, delighting the riders: the route winds its way up to Baita Segantini along gleaming white gravel bends, whilst the jagged peaks of the Pale di San Martino rise up into the sky on the left. Definitely one of the most beautiful bike tours in the Alps.

San Martino – Calaita

• Length: 30.2 kilometres
• Ascent: 1,112 metres

From San Martino, over the Lagorai range to the enchanting natural landscape around Lake Calaita. Return via Bedolè and along a challenging trail back to San Martino. An easier route takes you back via the Vanoi Valley and the picturesque Lozen Valley.

Information and GPS coordinates: sanmartino.com

Lake Garda: A trail-running mecca from the very beginning

Even the best trail parks in the Alps have so far failed to outshine the cycling mecca of Lake Garda. The old military trails, with no ski lifts, have still not lost their charm. But things are changing here too: a new MTB route along the Sentiero della Nosiola is set to open in March. The route runs through the Valle dei Laghi and connects the region’s most important wineries.

The top tours

1 Monte Casale Trail Tour

• Length: 43.9 kilometres
• Ascent: 1,690 metres

From Ponte Arche, the route climbs up to Monte Casale, where you’re treated to a spectacular view of Lake Cavedine, the Brenta Dolomites and Lake Garda. The route then descends via forest tracks and trails into the picturesque Val Lomasona and back again.

2 Tremalzo XXL – the classic

• Length: 66.5 kilometres
• Ascent: 2,490 metres

The Tremalzo panoramic route between Lake Garda and Lake Ledro is what first made Lake Garda famous among cyclists. The climb is a real challenge, but it is rewarded with a fantastic view of Lake Garda and a spectacular descent.

3 Malga Grassi Trail Tour

• Length: 24.2 kilometres
• Ascent: 1,130 metres

This tour offers a taste of unspoilt nature, climbing from the lakeside in Riva del Garda up to Malga Grassi, a rustic mountain hut. After a stop for refreshments, a steep and rough-gravel descent to Riva follows, which once earned the route the nickname “Original Adrenalina”.

All the information about the area: gardatrentino.it

Sellaronda

Gravel biking in Trentino

The 8 bike parks in Trentino

World Cup dates in Trentino