This trail is both a panoramic explosion and a question of character! Rarely when studying a map does a line stand out among the jumble of lines, colours and symbols like this trail above Lago d'Idro. A ridge line, almost always on the ridge between Lake Idro and the Valle del Caffaro, standing alone and apparently endlessly long, promises far-reaching views over the lake on one side and across the Valle del Chiese into the high mountains on the other.
If you google this trail, the comments range from "probably the best trail in the world" to "largely unrideable and extremely exposed". Having ridden the trail several times now, my assessment as a guide is that the trail is divided into three completely different sections. At the beginning, it is extremely narrow and exposed - riding mistakes here would have absolutely fatal consequences. The rider who humbly pushes their bike over the most dangerous sections up here shows character, even if they could perhaps ride them from a purely technical point of view. The second section: a firework display of technically varied entertainment. And the grand finale is the flowiest you can imagine. A few hundred metres above the glistening lake, you glide along almost without a rattle.
Probably the best MTB trail in the world?
But first you have to get up there. From the village of Anfo, a good 1000 metres in altitude await on a historic, now asphalted military road - a constant ten percent ascent, wonderful to ride and blessed with brilliant views in the upper section. The Rifugio Rosa di Baremone is well worth a break. Or you can plan your ascent in the afternoon and stay overnight to spend the evening savouring the culinary delights on the mountain and tackle the trail in the morning light. From here, the route continues a little further on gravel. A detour to the massive Forte di Cima Ora fortification on a pre-summit of the Breda is definitely worthwhile - both historically and visually. At the end of the gravel path, we push the bike for a few minutes up to the summit of Monte Breda (1504 m), which is marked with a small cross. Trail section 1, which begins here, is really only a pleasure for those with absolute experience and a head for heights - but as I said: if you push the extremely exposed sections, this doesn't detract from the impressive experience. The further we get, the more rideable and varied this super trail becomes. Steep steps, quick changes of direction, drops into the sparse mountain forest, rocky passages and jumps. Fast sections are followed by blocked sections and vice versa. The wealth of variety elicits real cries of joy, which in turn makes our guide Erika proud.
Before we reach the lake all too quickly, she takes another sharp right turn and starts pedalling. What follows is a real rush, undulating and mostly only slightly downhill, always along the slope, parallel to the lakeshore. I can only try to keep up with Erika, but I don't succeed. Shortly before we reach the road, the former cross-country racer is waiting at a restored rustico and offers us fresh figs. Apparently she even had time for a quick harvest.
Info about the tour
- Length: 27 kilometres
- Uphill: 1152 metres in altitude
- Difficulty: medium to difficult
Starting point: Anfo, car park not far from the Lago d'Idro glamping boutique.
Refreshment stop/overnight stay: Rif. Rosa di Baremone, www.rosadibaremone.it
GPS data for the Supertrail on Monte Breda
The author
The certified DIMB guide Mathias Marschner has been in the saddle since he was a child and is always on the lookout for new areas. Lago d'Idro, to the west of Lake Garda, has particularly fascinated him. What annoys him is when people refer to Lake Idro as Lake Garda's "little brother". Despite their neighbourly location, the two lakes have practically nothing to do with each other. "The trails on Lake Idro lead through lonely, semi-high mountains and have their very own wild character. Perfect for real adventures!"
