MTB trails in Trentino: Rovereto - super trails along the former front line

The Trentino town of Rovereto is located in the Adige Valley and is like a distribution centre for great multi-day adventures. The 2259 metre high Monti Lessini with the two peaks of Monte Zugna and Cima Carega extend to the south. These mountains are also known as the "Little Dolomites". Because of their bizarre rock needles, steep walls, gorges - and their never-ending steep climbs. But since the advent of e-MTBs, more and more bikers are venturing into this still rather lonely area. No wonder, after all, the views stretching far into the Po Valley and descents of up to 1700 metres down into Vallagarina are tempting. And on much softer trails than those familiar from Lake Garda.

By contrast, Monte Pasubio to the east of the Monti Lessini is a classic from the very beginning. Even though the famous "Strada delle 52 Gallerie" with its spectacular tunnels has been off-limits to mountain bikers for decades, there are still three full day stages to do on this rock giant, which was bloodily fought over during the First World War.

However, the front line of the First World War stretched even further west. From Rovereto, you can follow the rather quiet military roads towards Lake Garda: climb 800 metres up to Monte Faé, passing old bunkers and trenches along the way. The route planners of the BIKE Transalp like to use this variant at the end of the stage to lead over the green pastures of the Agritur Maso Naranch into the final downhill trail via Nago to the finishing arch on the shores of Lake Garda.

Lake Garda is always worth a trip. But it's worth opening the topo map yourself and scanning the lesser-known hinterland for exciting new routes. Especially when the trails have such a moving history as those on the Pasubio and Monte Zugna. - Maxi Dickerhoff, enduro specialist and touring author

Info Rovereto

Interesting facts about the Rovereto area: visitrovereto.it

Further tours with GPS data, event dates, camping and accommodation addresses, opening times of the huts, refreshment stops and bike parks, as well as battery charging options for all Trentino tour destinations at: visittrentino.it

The 3 top tours from Rovereto

Tour 1: Cima Carega hut tour

• Length: 90.2 kilometres / 2 stages
• Uphill: 3470 metres in altitude
• Difficulty: difficult

Tour description

The two-day tour to the summit of Cima Carega (2259 m), with an overnight stay in the Rifugio Scalorbi, starts in Lizzana, south of Rovereto. Then it's a matter of stoically cranking away the 2320 metres of elevation gain on the first day in an increasingly beautiful landscape with as little strain on the battery as possible (recharging addresses: Rif. Sega di Ala after 1100 metres or Rif. Podestaria after 1600 metres). The overnight hut awaits at the top of the Alpe di Campobrun with delicious polenta and pretty much exactly on the former front line. But the highlight of the tour follows on day 2: 25 kilometres of singletrack alone through the southern flanks of the Cima Carega!
GPS data: www.trails.de,
Hut info: rifugioscalorbi.it

>> The three most beautiful tours on Monte Zugna

Tour 2: Three days around the Pasubio

• Length: 131.7 kilometres / 3 stages
• Uphill: 5154 metres in altitude
• Difficulty: difficult

Tour description

From Rovereto to Passo Coe and the Sette Croci 1900 metres uphill only, then one highlight follows the next: Rifugio Papa, Strada degli Eroi, Pian delle Fugazze, the suspension bridge at Avis, magnificent panoramas and war memorials on Monte Novegno, super trail on Passo Campedello and on the last day the long trails on Dosso del Sommo and down from Monte Finonchio.

>> GPS data and all information about the tour

Tour 3: Four days around Lake Garda

• Length: 200 kilometres / 4 stages
• Uphill: 6500 metres altitude
• Difficulty: difficult

Tour description

Lake Garda has a really exciting hinterland: this four-day tour starts in Torbole and bridles Monte Baldo from behind, i.e. through the Val del Rii via Monte Varagna and the Passo Cerbiolo up to the ridge of Monte Baldo. In Torri del Benaco, take the ferry to the western shore and from Toscolano via Monte Caplone and Tremalzo back to Torbole.

>> All information about the Lago circumnavigation