It was probably about 25 years ago that I risked my life riding down the Brione trail on hardtails. That was back then as part of a BIKE megatest. Since then, Lake Garda has been practically ingrained in me. But why is that? Probably because of the Mediterranean flair. The pizza is amazing and the carne salada is unique. I also wouldn't want to miss the Mecki Bar. In the afternoons, you meet everyone there who thinks Lake Garda is overrated. Grinning broadly, they sit together over toast and beer and discuss their recent exploits. It has always been like this and will probably never change. Even if the infamous 601 has just shaken the seals out of your teeth again, I'll never forget how much we loved the sunset on the Tremalzo until we realised that we would now experience the descent in the dark. But the best memory is that I met my wife Karen at the BIKE Festival in Riva.
Holger Meyer's 5 favourite tours on Lake Garda:
1st Val del Diaol - The Scull (15 km, 895 m elevation gain - difficulty 5 out of 5 points)
This trail is not for the faint-hearted. Cycle 1000 metres uphill along the Altissimo road and shortly after Malga Casina, turn left onto the gravel path into Valle del Diaol. Follow it for about 400 metres with a short climb in the opposite direction, then the signposted freeride route starts on the left. Although quite rough at the start, the path soon eases off and you can enjoy a wonderful run through hollow tubs and bends. However, rock and stone passages - including steps - appear again and again in the middle of the run. After around five kilometres, you finally reach Nago.
2nd Navene Trail (30.8 km/1125 m elevation gain - difficulty 3 out of 5 points)
Climb 1100 metres up the Altissimo road until a gravel path branches off diagonally to the right at the Prati di Nago to the Dosso dei Roveri. This is where the path starts, which cuts along the entire Altissimo flank down to Navene. Never particularly rough, but almost flowing for Lake Garda terrain, the trail winds through forest, but also through many tree-free passages. Back, unfortunately, on the Gardesana Orientale with its tunnel galleries. Watch out!
3rd Coast Trail (16.5 km/1000 m elevation gain - difficulty level 4 out of 5 points)
Just below Malga Casina, the Coast Trail branches off to the right from the Altissimo road. Forest floor! Gentle bends! The trail is technically demanding, but has grip. Watch out for the one really nasty key section: immediately after a hairpin bend, there is a free fall from a five metre high step. It's best to simply climb down it on foot. Afterwards, you can continue undisturbed down the Sentiero dei Paloni to Torbole.
4. adrenalina (11.2 km/1350 m elevation gain - difficulty level 5 out of 5 points)
The Adrenalina descent was considered THE downhill challenge in the 1990s and is still one of the longest and not exactly the easiest trails on Lake Garda. The starting point is the Bocca di Trat (1581 m), near the Rifugio Nino Pernici. You make your way to Campi on a really steep and rough path, then the path finally eases off a little halfway up. Only the last 200 metres down to the Bastione are more steep again.
5th Pregasina Trail (18.5 km/450 altitude metres - difficulty level 3 out of 5 points)
A nice trail loop to warm up or to spice up the easy Pregasina tour a little: ride up from Riva on the old Ponale road to Pregasina, perhaps have a cappuccino there and then continue towards Malga Palaer. Here you join the Sentiero 422. The path winds through the forest in a relatively relaxed manner. Although it occasionally scrapes against the abyss, the Lake Garda scree is limited.
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