A successful biking day consists of maximum metres of singletrack with as few climbs as possible? If you think so, you should take a closer look at the Paganella bike area. Located just 30 kilometres north of Riva del Garda as the crow flies, the high valley around Lago di Molveno offers all the ingredients for a thoroughbred enduro area.
It starts with the fact that all lifts open in summer transport bikes without any problems. It continues with the fact that less than a handful of local trails are off-limits to bikers. All others, and there are many trails, can be ridden without any problems. And they are of a quality that will have fit, downhill-orientated bikers clicking their tongues. The vast majority of them are natural trails with roots, short rocky passages or solid forest floor.
Although there are also some paths explicitly designed for bikers, these are not fluff-free trail motorways either. In most cases, the difficulties are consistently at S1 to S2 level. Time and again, the runs are spiced up with key sections where a little cold blood is helpful. Exceptions prove the rule, of course. According to the bike park's website, the Peter Pan Trail at Passo Santèl has "only one goal: pure fun!"
But there's also plenty to feast your eyes on. At the summit of the Paganella, you can enjoy the view of the Brenta Dolomites around their main peak of Cima Tosa. Then you turn round and see Lake Garda sparkling on the horizon. The view of the provincial capital of Trento, almost 2000 metres below, is also completely unobstructed. Blessed are those who have such a local mountain!
Top mountain bike tours in the Dolomiti Paganella
Trentino Tour 07: Bear Trails
Tour data and tour rating
Starting point
Cable car car park in Andalo
Route
The Bear Trails label refers to a mega enduro tour that includes most of the trails on the mountain flank facing the Brenta Dolomites. It is possible, but very hard, to complete this tour in one day. For this reason, the Bear trails have been split into two sections and supplemented with additional trails. The first trail descent from the summit of the Paganella is a good 6.5 kilometres long and gets down to business: a tough trail at S2 level! Once you arrive at the bike park, you are rewarded with the Peter Pan Trail, an almost endless chain of berms with plenty of flow.
Highlights
The entire tour is a single highlight. You can hardly pack more trails into a one-day tour!
Retreat
Rifugio La Roda at the summit of the Paganella, bistro at the valley station of the bike park
GPS download
You can download the GPS data for the 20 Trentino tours presented free of charge in the download area below this article.
Trentino-Tour 08: Paganella-Panorama
Tour data and tour rating
Starting point
Cable car car park in Andalo
Route
This tour roughly follows the southern section of the Bear Trail. However, here you branch off into one of the best sections of the Lake-to-Lake Trail. Right at the summit of the Paganella, a challenging trail with a few exposed passages awaits. Once you reach the first mountain pass, a ten-minute push section is your ticket to an inspiring panoramic trail. On the descent from Passo San Giovanni to Molveno, an enduro trail with a constant S2 level awaits. There are also interesting trails on the opposite side of the valley. Demand here mostly S1.
Highlights
From the Paganella to the Passo di San Giovanni: a top ten panoramic trail in the Alps!
Retreat
Rifugio La Montanara, chairlift mountain station
GPS download
You can download the GPS data for the 20 Trentino tours presented free of charge in the download area below this article.
Info about the Dolomiti Paganella bike area
MTB info
All information on tours with GPS download, the bike park, the programme of guided tours and the local bike hotels can be found at www.dolomitipaganellabike.com
Events
Not to be missed: Dolomiti Paganella Bike Days from 9-11 June 2017 - The big bike opening with test opportunities and guided tours.
General information
Everything you need to know about the Paganella and the Brenta Dolomites with booking options: www.visitdolomitipaganella.it
