Lake Garda, famous and infamous. There is hardly a biker on the planet who hasn't heard of Lake Garda. Yet the largest of the northern Italian lakes polarises more than almost any other biking region. Some celebrate the legendary status of Lake Garda, reminisce about the annual gathering of the international scene at the BIKE Festival and rave about the countless tour options. Others fear steep climbs and the notorious Lake Garda gravel, which turns many a supposedly easy descent into an egg dance and many a singletrail into a bumpy adventure. Both points of view have their justification.
Nevertheless, the mountains around the lake and the neighbouring Sarca Valley to the north still have surprises up their sleeves, even after 30 years of biking history. Here, too, attempts are now being made to channel the ongoing boom by building trails specifically for bikers. The best example of this is the Naranch Trail near the small town of Santa Barbara. It has established itself in record time as a popular alternative to the Anaconda Trail, which is now closed to bikes as part of the Peace Trail.
The situation is similar on Monte Baldo. Here, too, the Garda Trentino Bike Park has redesigned two lines especially for gravity riders: the trail through the Val del Diaol and the Seicentouno nuovo. Instead of rough, blocked trails, bikers will still find challenging but fun lines that are easy and flowy to ride on a modern bike.
In contrast, the Sentiero dei Russi near San Giovanni al Monte does not interfere with the existing trail network at all. The flanks around the Monte Casales mountain range between Ponte Arche and the Sarca Valley are already familiar to CC bikers from the annual marathon at the BIKE Festival. The trail itself is anything but new - it was built by Russian prisoners of war during the First World War. And yet, perhaps even more than the Gravity Lines, it symbolises a new concept: offering bikers ever more flowing trails.
Top mountain bike tours on Lake Garda
Trentino Tour 09: Naranch Trail
Tour data and tour rating
Starting point
Arco town centre
Route
Many bikers tackle the Naranch Trail as a gravity adventure and have themselves shuttled to Santa Barbara. If you want to pedal yourself, take the tarmac road to Troiana and then the forest path up to Monte Velo. In Santa Barbara, a single trail awaits, which is still very flowy in the upper section. After the obligatory stop at the Maso Naranch agriturismo with its bombastic view over the lake, things get more serious. Although the trail is never more difficult than S2, it is hardly ever easier. Some passages also require a bit of courage. But it definitely has what it takes to become a classic!
Highlights
The views from Maso Naranch over the lake and the trail itself
Retreat
In Santa Barbara or at the Maso Naranch (check opening times)
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 10: Sentiero dei Russi
Tour data and tour rating
Starting point
On the beach promenade in Riva del Garda, alternatively in Arco
Route
The tour is a mix of the Ronda Grande of the BIKE Festival Marathon, spiced up with the descent via the Sentiero dei Russi. The result: a full-blown day tour. If you want to save time and energy, you can be shuttled to the small village of San Giovanni al Monte and start the tour there. As described, a physically demanding tour worthy of a bike marathon awaits. The trail sections are manageable, but very flowing and rarely more difficult than S0. As you are mostly travelling through dense forest on Monte Casale, the tour is also suitable for hotter days in summer.
Highlights
Riding fun on the Russen Trail
Retreat
in San Giovanni al Monte
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 Lake Garda bike area
GPS tours
Some selected and official bike tours can be found on www.gardatrentino.it
Bike info
Addresses for shuttles, guided tours, bike shops and hotels can be found at www.gardatrentino.it
Events
BIKE Festival Riva del Garda with trade fair, marathon, children's race and much more. Date: 28.4.-1.5.2017, www.bike-festival.de
General information
Accommodation and other information: www.gardatrentino.it
