The big run on Lake Garda dates back to a time when long climbs were fashionable and useful tour descriptions were rare. Where else in the Eastern Alps can you toil your way up from 65 metres above sea level to a summit cross 2000 metres higher? To this day, even at the height of summer, whole caravans still travel up the road to Altissimo. However, not all of them are aiming for the 2000 metre mark. Many bikers turn off onto one of the classic trails along the way, which branch off from the Altissimo road at different altitudes. However, many simply turn around and let the metres of altitude they have gained rattle back through the speedometer on the asphalt road. Why? Because they don't have the riding technique for the classic scree-covered trails on Lake Garda.
Easy tours on the lake are as rare as fine pebbles. This makes it all the more astonishing that Lake Garda has been one of the absolute top bike regions in the Alps from the very beginning. Even at a time when the fully was still in its infancy. A certain Elmar Moser was responsible for this. The man from Munich published the first really useful bike guides in the early 1990s. And those who already appreciated the precise tour descriptions in Moser's Tegernsee and Karwendel guides also followed volume 3 to Lake Garda. There, however, the Moser disciples must not only have rubbed their eyes, but also their knees. Even the supposedly easy lap over Monte Brione left many touring bikers looking into the abyss of horror. I, too, once stood up there at the trail entrance and had to push my bike downhill for the first time in my life - what a humiliating experience.
Nevertheless - or perhaps precisely because of this - Lake Garda has developed into an absolute trail mecca in just a few years. Trails such as the 601 ("Da Oanser"), which is described in the Moser Guide as "... very extreme, with the steepest scree passages", quickly became the benchmark for ambitious riders. The "Oanser" descent always ended at the Mecki Bar with the question: "So, what did you ride?" "A double. But Hans did a zero!" Which meant that Hans didn't have to dismount once, so he rode the entire trail. To this day, these Moser tours from the very beginning are among the absolute Lago classics. Even if the trails have long since lost their terror thanks to modern suspension systems.
The Lago classics for mountain bikers:
1st Tremalzo (approx. 30 km, 397 m elevation gain - difficulty level 3 out of 5 points)
It is THE tour on Lake Garda. And if there had been a bike shuttle in Moser's day, he would have travelled the tour in the same way: The journey up to the Rifugio Tremalzo takes three quarters of an hour. Then you crank up to the famous Tremalzo tunnel and roll down the roughly gravelled military road hairpin bends to Passo Nota. Over the Passo Rocchetta back to Riva. A scenic experience!
2nd Capanna Grassi (25 km, 1045 m elevation gain - difficulty level 3 out of 5 points)
This half-day tour is particularly popular for its lovely refreshment stops. From Riva, first take the road towards Lake Tenno, but only as far as the turn-off to Campi. Then follow the signs to the head of the valley as far as Capanna Grassi. After stopping for refreshments, head into the forest behind the hut, where a rather bumpy gravel path leads around a mountain flank back down into the valley.
3. sentiero 601 (76.8 km, 1568 m elevation gain - difficulty level 5 out of 5 points)
This classic from the very beginning is still regarded as the benchmark today. Even women now want to have a rumble down the 601 with only a few dismounts. Those who really want to tackle the steep and rough scree must climb up the Altissimo road to an altitude of 772 metres and then branch off at the 601 signpost. The path crosses the road, so you can get off again.
4 Pregasina Street (13.4 km, 485 m elevation gain - difficulty level 1 out of 5 points)
It is definitely the easiest tour on the lake, but in terms of lake views it is in no way inferior to the longer tours. The gravel road, built in 1865, branches off directly behind the town sign of Riva and climbs gently uphill through small tunnels to Pregasina. The best time to cycle here is early in the morning or in the evening, when you can enjoy the winding downhill roads without oncoming traffic.
5. San Giovanni (28.5 km, 1170 m elevation gain - difficulty level 2 out of 5 points)
No test of courage, no hours of scrubbing uphill - and yet the tour to Ristoro San Giovanni is one of the most popular classics. You cycle along the Sarca river to Arco and Varignano and follow a narrow mountain road up to San Giovanni. You can now spice up the classic gravel and tarmac route back with a flow detour via the Sentiero dei Russi!
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MTB HOT SPOTS ON LAKE GARDA
One of the reasons why so many bikers are drawn to Lake Garda: the many cafés, bars and restaurants where you can meet cycling celebrities.
- Ponale Alto Belvedere
The building lay derelict for many years, but has now been completely renovated and reopened in 2014: The pasta restaurant with a sensational panoramic terrace is located directly on Ponale Street - with a view over the lake. Tel. 0039/347/6936502
- Flora ice cream parlour
You can eat it in the morning, at lunchtime, in the evening and even late at night and still never be able to decide which ice cream flavour is the tastiest. "Die Flora" is located in Viale Rovereto 54 at the entrance to Riva. Tel. 0039/0464/551671
- Mecki's Bike & Coffee
Ever since Aldo Beltrami opened the Mecki Bar in 1962, the first cappuccino has been brewed here early in the morning. You can now rent flats and shop for clothes here. THE meeting point after the tour - Via Matteotti 5, Torbole. Info: www.meckis.com
- Ristorante Pizzeria al Porto
One of the best pizza addresses on the northern shore of Lake Garda. But there are also delicious meat and fish dishes with vegetables. The service is fast, with waiting times only at the till. Piazza Goethe 18 in Torbole. Info: www.pizzeriaalporto.com
- La Colombera
Excellent steaks, pizza and pasta dishes inside in a rustic vaulted atmosphere or outside on the terrace in the garden. Usually very full! Via Rovigo 30, Riva del Garda. Tel. 0039/0464/556033
- Villa Aranchi
Many say that the beer garden at Villa Aranchi definitely has the very best pizza. They even overlook the often rude service and the long queue at the till. Viale Rovereto 23, Riva del Garda. Info: www.villaaranchi.it
- Leon d'oro
Right in the centre of Riva and the home base of the Rocky Mountain team for years. So if you'd like to spend an evening at Wade Simmons' neighbouring table, there's a good chance you'll find it here! Via Fiume 28, Riva. Tel. 0039/0464/552341
- La Grotta
26 years ago, the former cowshed behind Brione was converted into a rustic restaurant with a garden. The menu is international, but most people come here anyway for a real La Grotta speciality: grilled mountain cheese. Via Monte Brione 5 in Arco. Info: www.allagrotta.com
- Agritur madonna delle Vittorie
Beef, pasta, olive oil and wine from our own production, all other ingredients from the region. The whole thing is served by pretty waiters on a small, idyllic palm terrace. Via Linfano 81 in Arco. Tel. 0039/0464/505542
- La Fattoria
Away from the tourist hustle and bustle, the Fattoria is hidden away in the industrial area of Riva. In a rustic atmosphere, dishes are served at long tables using ingredients from the region. Via Marone 13, Riva del Garda. Tel. 0039/0464/557844
- Ristorante alla Lega
Ancient beams and frescoed walls: The Alla Lega serves a menu of traditional Italian dishes. Grilled horse meat is sometimes on the menu. Via Vergolano, 8 in the historic centre of Arco. Info: www.ristoranteallalega.com
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MOUNTAIN BIKE INFO LAKE GARDA
The area The front line stretched across the rocky mountains around northern Lake Garda during the First World War. The extensive network of military trails dates back to this time and was discovered by mountain bikers as a touring Eldorado at the end of the 1980s. Although thousands of bikers drift along the trails every year, the area has been spared from bans for an astonishingly long time.
The current legal situation throughout Trentino is as follows: In principle, all trails are open to bikers, but the regions can provide individual exceptions with prohibition signs. Reasons for a trail closure can be: Nature conservation, too much traffic (hikers) or terrain that is too dangerous. So far, the authorities on Lake Garda have limited themselves to a few trail closures: Brione, Pianaura trails, Anaconda and Sentiero della Pace. A considerate, nature-friendly riding style can help to keep it that way. A map with all permitted and closed trails can be found online here ->
When it comes to bike infrastructure, Lake Garda is second to none. Hotels, campsites, restaurants and bars cater for bikers. There are shuttle services, shops and tour providers.
Approach Take the A22 Brenner motorway, exit at "Rovereto Süd, Lago di Garda Nord" and continue on the country road to Torbole. If there is a lot of traffic, it may be worth leaving the motorway one exit earlier, in Trento, in order to reach Lake Garda via Arco.
Tour information
- The two Moser Guides 11 (Lake Garda North and East) and 12 (Lake Garda West) with a total of 100 classic tours are still available. Price per volume: 39.90 euros, www.delius-klasing.de
- Tours with GPS data: Uli Stanciu was one of the first bikers on Lake Garda. He is still discovering new trails with the locals today. All tours with GPS data at www.bike-gps.com
- Andreas Albrecht has published several guides with GPS download (also in English). Info www.gps-bikeguide.com
Guided tours Almost every German tour operator has a touring or riding technique week on Lake Garda in their programme. But there are also local tour operators:
- www.gardamtbtours.com - Daily guided tours of all levels of difficulty with the German racing driver Kerstin Brachtendorf.
- www.gardaonbike.com - daily touring meeting point at the Garda bike shop (Cannondale hire bikes) in Riva
- www.3s-bike.com - Tour provider with Scott rental bikes at the car park at the Mecki Bar for over 25 years.
Shuttle service
There is only a cable car in Malcesine. On the north shore, shuttle buses have therefore long been part of the transport scene:
- Torbole Bike Shuttle with starting point at Bikeshop Carpentari, tel. 0039/329/4352878, info www.bikeshuttletorbole.com
- Coast to Coast with starting point at the 3S Centre at the Mecki Bar, tel. 0039/347/4713748
- Bike Shuttle Barcelli, individual journeys by arrangement, tel. 0039/335/6780715
Bike shops
- Carpentari Bike Shop: the professional for bike hire, workshop and accessory sales www.carpentari.com
- The Lab di Girardi Stefano: The workshop guru and high-end specialist (including e-bikes) has moved again. His new realm can now be found at Viale Rovereto 11b in Riva. Directly opposite the BIKE Festival site. Tel. 0039/0464/550951
- Bikeshop Giuliani: the best and cheapest workshop in Arco with bike hire www.bikegiuliani.com
- Garda Bikeshop: Workshop, bike and protector hire, sale of accessories, guided tours and shuttle service. Viale Rovereto 3A in Riva. www.gardabikeshop.com
Accommodation From campsites to star hotels, all accommodation on Lake Garda is geared towards bikers. A list of all accommodation and other information is available from the tourist office, www.gardatrentino.it
You can read BIKE in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
