There are people who claim that Lake Garda is the most overrated biking area in Europe. The trails are too rough, too hard, too steep, too rocky. In the age of flow trails, they are no longer fun. With respect, these people have no idea. Of course, if you're just cranking up from Riva or Torbole on the Ponale road or towards Monte Altissimo, you won't find any new magic trails. Everything really has been "ridden" right by the lake. But if you roll a bit into the hinterland, you will find trails that no-one has ever dared to dream of. Because they do exist, the flow trails on Lake Garda.
"Who says there are no more new tours on the lake? Not directly with a view of the lake, but a few kilometres further on."
It all started when local Loris Tagliapietra and I wanted to organise a new BIKE festival marathon with more trails. Loris' grandfather was once a hunter in the area between San Giovanni and Monte Casale. So he knew every trail. He led us into the bushes. Sometimes the entrances to the trails were barely recognisable. But after just a few metres it was clear: this is it - untouched trails, unique flow in the forest. We not only created the marathon from part of this network, but also combined other trail tours with the rest - Sentiero dei Russi in two variants. Spurred on by this success, we continued to rummage through old military maps, at Cavedine, Monte Stivo and Monte Calino. We often searched a region on foot until we found the old trails. The tour to Malga Pian was created in this way, as were parts of the easy Misone circuit.
But there are also newly built trails on the lake: the Naranch Trail, for example. Almost ten years ago, Lorenzo Benoni bought an old house with a fantastic view of the lake and converted it into an agriturismo. The problem: the house is located above Nago, so far off the main traffic routes that hardly anyone can find their way there. So Lorenzo came up with the idea of building a bike trail that would lead directly past the Maso Naranch as a refreshment stop. Together with a few friends, he rummaged through the forest between Monte Velo and Nago and found old hunters' paths that were no longer in use. Using shovels and pickaxes, they cleaned and straightened them out, creating a five-kilometre-long Lake Garda trail with over 800 metres of downhill climbing within three years. It is important to note that the Naranch Trail and all other tours do not touch private land or Alpine Club trails. There are therefore no prohibitions.
Rediscovered on Lake Garda - 5 trail tours with flow
1st Bocchetta Nansesa (45.6 km, 1568 m elevation gain)
The Bocchetta Nansesa above Limone: Ascent on a narrow gravel track from Valle San Michele. At the top, an almost flat super trail with great views of the lake and lots of small tunnels, one of which is half filled in. You have to scramble. Then a pure trail descent, initially with 22 hairpin bends for bend artists, later pure flow trail. Absolutely superb.
To the tour data (chargeable download, 3 cents/km): GPS data and roadbooks for the Bocchetta Nansesa Trail tour at www.bike-gps.com click here
2nd Malga Pian (27 km, 1094 m altitude)
Castel Drena above Dro is well known to many. But nobody knows that behind it, on the slopes of Monte Bondone, lies a trail gem. Up on gravel, then a steep, smooth forest trail to Malga Pian. Chestnut trees and beautiful views of the Sarca Valley. Then pure flow into the valley and, after a short climb, completely new flow trails at Cavedine.
To the tour data (chargeable download, 3 cents/km): GPS data and roadbooks for the Malga Pian Trail tour at www.bike-gps.com click here
3.
Monte Misone (53 km, 1534 metres altitude)
You know the loop around Monte Misone. But not as beautiful as here: Ascent from Riva on the marathon route, then on a trail (alternatively gravel) into Val Lomasone. Easy terrain with great views of the Brenta, cosy refreshment stops in Comano and at Passo Ballino, then on a forest path to Lake Tenno and on an old farm track or asphalt to Riva.
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u the tour data (chargeable download, 3 cent/km): GPS data and roadbooks for the Monte-Misone-Trail-Tour are available at www.bike-gps.com click here
4th Naranch Trail (41 km, 1360 metres altitude)
A brand new 800 metre altitude super trail above Nago. Lorenzo Benoni and his lads from Maso Naranch have dug up this old hunter's trail: Ascent to Santa Barbara, superb panorama on Monte Creino and a great refreshment stop at Maso Naranch. Partly flowy, partly challenging trail for technical riders and freeriders. Dream tour.
To the tour data (download for a fee, 3 cents/km): GPS data for the Naranch Trail tour is available for 3 cents/km at www.bike-gps.com click here
5th Sentiero dei Russi (20 km, 902 m elevation gain)
The Sentiero dei Russi was carved into Monte Casale by Russian prisoners during the First World War. However, you don't have to do the whole marathon, but can start in San Giovanni. Then over 40 per cent trails in the forest with the finest flow. In some places even with views of the Brenta. You have to ride with GPS, otherwise it's hard to find...
To the tour data (chargeable download, 3 cents/km): GPS data for the Sentiero dei Russi trail tour is available for 3 cents/km at www.bike-gps.com click here
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