Undoubtedly the most environmentally friendly and, above all, a wonderfully relaxed way to experience the valleys of western Trentino. The DoGa starts in Malé, in Val di Sole, and takes you to the lakeshore in Riva del Garda.
The DoGa is a cycle route that even less experienced cyclists can enjoy. There are two different routes: you can choose between the complete route or the "Dolce Vita" route, which avoids some climbs such as the Passo Daone. If you are less fit, you can also tackle the route on an e-bike and enjoy the ride with much less effort. What are you waiting for?
The itinerary
The clear skies and fresh valleys of the Val di Sole are the starting point: if you don't already love the mountains, you'll fall in love here! Malé is the perfect start to the tour. Between apple orchards and the mountain ranges of Cevedale and Presanella, a fascinating play of light and contrasting colours awaits you.
Make a short stop in Val Meledrio, the gateway to the Brenta Dolomites, where the first "climb" of the tour awaits you. From here, the route climbs up to Prato Carlo Magno, the highest point of the cycle route. This is followed by a wonderfully long descent from Madonna di Campiglio to Tione. To your left, the imposing yellowish-grey walls of the Brenta Dolomites; to your right, the dense forests of the Adamello-Presanella valleys. It is a dreamlike scenery that will make you forget all the effort that the ascent to the 1,600 metre summit may have cost you.
On the way, take a short detour to the Vallesinella waterfalls to enjoy the cool, fresh air. Or take a break in the sunny pastures of Val Brenta. Once you arrive in Pinzolo, don't miss the Nardis waterfalls in Val di Genova before continuing on to Villa Rendena and Tione. From Tione, the landscape changes again: from the steep valleys of Val Rendena, you now roll into the greener and softer regions of Val Lomasone.
You've almost made it! Now it's all downhill, from the Ballino Pass you can already feel the lake breeze, first from Lago di Tenno and then from Lago di Garda. As you approach Riva del Garda, the landscape widens - the alpine flora now becomes more Mediterranean.
You have covered 2,260 metres of ascent and 2,920 metres of descent, overcoming 3 passes and 4 valleys. Now it's time to rest on the shores of Lake Garda. Perhaps you can stay an extra day to relax while windsurfing or sailing!
The Dolomiti-Garda Alpine Cycling Route: 110 km of cycle path - varied and unforgettable.
A cycling adventure for everyone
You can complete the DoGa cycle path in one day or split it into stages lasting several days so that you can take a break and visit the surrounding villages, valleys and the Adamello Brenta Park. There are three Alpine passes to cross, which you can climb with your own muscle power or more easily by e-bike. If that's too much for you, you can take the alternative "Dolce Vita" route and avoid the Daone Pass between Pinzolo and Preore, which makes the route much easier.
With the bike shuttle between Dimaro and Campiglio, you can also skip the first mountain stage and start directly in Madonna di Campiglio and then cycle almost the entire route downhill.
8 fascinating places and 4 valleys
The DoGa cycle path is a route that deserves to be spread over several days. If you plan your trip with overnight stays in accommodation for cyclists, you will have more time to visit the most beautiful places - such as Malé in Val di Sole with its apple orchards or Monclassico, famous for its sundials.
After the Passo Carlo Magno and Madonna di Campiglio, you can spend some time in Val Rendena (with a short diversions) at the Vallesinella waterfalls or in Val Brenta; places where nature unfolds its full beauty. Behind Pinzolo, the Nardis waterfalls are well worth a visit. The Val di Genova in the granite area of the Adamello group forms an interesting contrast to the dolomite rock of the nearby Brenta.
In the Valli Giudicarie, you should not miss the castle of Stenico beyond the waterfalls of the Rio Bianco, the Bosco Arte and the Limarò gorge, before cycling to Ponte Arche and the Val Lomasone. Two delicious slow food specialities are at home here: the Noce bleggiana (sweet walnut) and Ciuighe del Banale (traditional salami) make every food break a real treat!
Just a little further on: Lago di Tenno awaits. Ideal for a break and perhaps a refreshing swim, as the last stop before Riva del Garda - the capital of outdoor activities. Now you can relax and enjoy the Mediterranean flair in peace and quiet after the kilometres you have covered.
The Adamello Brenta Park
More than half of the DoGa cycle path leads through the unspoilt beauty of the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park. The route crosses the fault line of two contrasting rock types: the granite (tonalite) of the Adamello on the orographic right, where the mountains rise to 3,556 metres with the summit of the Presanella; and the sedimentary rock dolomite of the Brenta, which rises to 3,150 metres on the opposite side.
The symbol of the nature park is the bear. You can get to know it better in the visitor centres - and with a bit of luck, even spot it in the wild around Carisolo.
Rushing waterfalls
Water is the main element in the four valleys that the DoGa crosses. If you like waterfalls, you've come to the right place. The Vallesinella waterfalls in Campiglio are still a hidden gem. In Val di Genova, a short detour leads to the Nardis waterfalls, which are over 100 metres high. In the same valley are the waterfalls of Pedruc, Casol, Lares and Folgorida and the glaciers from which the river Sarca springs.
The Rio Bianco waterfall is fed by the flanks of the Brenta. After Lago di Tenno, just before Riva del Garda, you can visit the gorge and caves at the Varone waterfall.
A dip in Lago di Tenno
Here you are about 95 kilometres from Malè - so it's high time for a break and a swim. There is hardly anything better than jumping into Lago di Tenno in summer. The turquoise-coloured lake is surrounded by Mediterranean scrubland; its clear waters are an oasis of calm. And not far away is Canale, a perfectly preserved medieval village whose cobbled streets have attracted numerous artists from all over Europe.
If you happen to be in Canale in August, experience the "Rustic Middle Ages" event - which recreates life in the village in the past. And don't miss the village of Frapporta, because from here you can see your picturesque final destination for the first time: Lake Garda.
Castles and palaces
You should not miss this stop. Once the summer residence of the Bishop of Trento, Stenico Castle dominates the valley of Terme di Comano like an impregnable fortress. Over the centuries, this estate has allowed the princes to rule over the Giudicarie valleys. Today, the castle, which was built in 1163, is part of the Buonconsiglio Castle Museum.
There are two more castles to visit in Val di Sole: The first is Caldes Castle, just downstream from Malé - legend has it that the Princess of Thun was imprisoned here; and in Ossana, San Michele Castle, which was built on a rocky spur and served as a checkpoint for goods coming into Val di Sole from Passo Tonale.
Further information is available at: www.visittrentino.info
The stages of the DoGa cycle path
Sights/activities:
- The Noce River in Val di Sole: the perfect place for rafting and water sports activities
- Biking in the Adamello Brenta Nature Park
- The Val Genova waterfalls
- Cycling on the World Cup trails of Val di Sole Bikeland
The route in detail: www.doga-cycling.it/de/strecke/#filter=r-fullyTranslatedLangus-,sb-sortedBy-0&ipd=42789658
Sights/activities:
- Alternative route "Dolce Vita" for the circular route
- Stenico Castle and Terme
- Silence and wilderness of the Fuidicarie (in the Adamello Brenta Nature Park)
- "Ghost town" Irone
- Giudicarie Valley: the perfect region for combining climbing and gastronomic stops in the countryside
The route in detail: www.doga-cycling.it/de/strecke/#filter=r-fullyTranslatedLangus-,sb-sortedBy-0&ipd=42789704
Sights/activities:
- Lago di Tenno
- Rango and Channel the Tenno
- Small medieval towns
- Nature spots for outdoor enthusiasts (water sports, climbing, trekking and via ferrata)
- Mediterranean bike tours at alpine heights
