With its natural beauty, friendly towns, and wide range of amenities, Garda Trentino is ideal for mountain bike and road cycling. According to the statistics around 25% of tourists choose Garda Trentino for mountain biking and a further 20% choose it for various kinds of road cycling (racing, tourism and cycle paths). Impressive figures speak for the wealth of opportunities and the quality of what is on offer for cyclists, in continuous expansion. 

The network of trails, roads and paths make up an integrated system where all bike lovers can find exactly what they are looking for: easy offroad routes or cycle paths, especially suited to younger cyclists and families, but also more demanding itineraries with steep gradients and legendary downhill and freeride or what are known as gravity trails which are the most challenging of all.

In Garda Trentino the priority is sustainable development of our priceless heritage based on shared rules. This is the reason why we have installed 2,040 new signposts, the latest stage in the process of continual improvement of outdoor tourism in Alto Garda. A major operation in line with provincial legislation which envisages the promotion of a Provincial Network of itineraries with no boundaries for cross-country, mountain bike, bike trekking, e-bike and enduro. Trails which are officially numbered and shared by bikers and hikers.

1,370 KILOMETRES OF ROUTES: AN ORGANISED SYSTEM TRIED AND TESTED

The bike system is the result of extensive development in terms of infrastructure and organisation in order to ensure maximum fun and hospitality services of the highest level. We are talking about a bike area of considerable dimensions with 44 officially recognised itineraries: more than 1,370 kilometres of trails, with elevation gains of over 2000 metres in a unique climate and environment which makes them accessible for most of the year. This is what distinguishes Garda Trentino from all other bike resorts in the Alps and makes it an exceptional destination.

The beautiful mountain bike trails range from the shores of the lake to high altitude. The classic trails are Anello Garda Sarca, Ponale-Rifugio Pernici, Tremalzo, Marocche, Malga Campo, Monte Velo, Malga Grassi, Monte Corno, Doss Casina, and Monte Baldo-Altissimo. Info and GPS tracks on www.gardatrentino.it/mtb-trails.

When it comes to road cycling, itineraries range from the traditional scenic routes of Giro del Lago (141 km) to the itineraries that bring cyclists to less well-known, but spectacular climbs such as Passo Santa Barbara (Monte Velo), which was included in a selection called “The most beautiful climbs in Trentino”. There are also the classic routes like Lago e Valli di Cavedine (50 km, 615 metres altitude gain), Lago di Tenno (23 km, 567 metre altitude gain), Avio-San Valentino (81.6 km, 1600 metre altitude gain), Ballino-Duron-Stenico (85.3 km, 1400 metre altitude gain) and many others. For information and GPS coordinates go to www.gardatrentino.it/roadbike.   
In Garda Trentino there is room for bike lovers of all kinds: all mountain, cross country, enduro, bike trekking, free ride, e-mtb, fat bike, and road bike.

 GARDA TRENTINO BIKE PARK FOR DAREDEVILS

Garda Trentino Bike Park, a project dedicated to downhill and freeride enthusiasts, continues to draw ever greater numbers. It is one of a kind, can be reached with no need for lifts using the shuttle service, and offers a thrilling experience on runs which have become part of the collective imagination of bikers everywhere. The first trail, Val del Diaol is 4.5 km long with a vertical drop of 700 metres and gradients of over 30% in some section. It is a heartstopping trail, a dose of pure adrenaline, reclaimed, made safe and under constant maintenance thanks to the work of the AGBA association (Alto Garda Bike Arena). 

The track runs down the Northwest slope of Monte Baldo, overlooking Nago. Great fun is guaranteed with a number of new features such as jumps, banks and fast sections, just as long as you have some previous experience and the right gear.

And then there is the historic ex-601, a mainly rocky trail on Monte Altissimo. A breathtaking downhill ride of 2 kilometres with all the undergrowth and loose rock removed has a rock garden, new jumps and banks to challenge the skills of any rider, all with a spectacular view over Lake Garda.

And to serve as a testimonial for action sports Garda Trentino has an exceptional ambassador, Eleonora Farina. The twenty-five year-old from Pietramurata, an international gravity specialist, European champion in 2015, has a genuine passion for these spectacular trails: “They're a mix of adrenaline and fun, difficult, rocky, very physically challenging, long and technical. But in our area there's so much to choose from, for enduro too, and even simple bike excursions”.

Besides these two proposals there is also the Naranch Trail, an enduro trail that is easier than the other two gravity trails which runs down from Monte Creino to Maso Naranch and then Nago.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SUSTAINABLE BIKING

Biking in Garda Trentino is a unique experience, making you feel like you are part of a tribe touched by beauty and inspired by a model of behaviour which has always been characterised by the utmost respect for the environment and other excursionists. This style is based on a series of tips* which Garda Trentino Spa invites you to follow:

• Plan your outing
• Share the trail with the other users
• Always give way to hikers
• Control your speed based on personal experience
• Go slowly on crowded trails and show courtesy and respect when overtaking
• Never leave the signposted trail and don't go on trails which are closed
• Avoid using dirt tracks when muddy so as not to damage them further
• Respect the environment, the trail, the plants and animals
• Do not frighten the animals
• Do not litter
• Respect public and private property
• Make sure you are always self-sufficient
• Do not travel alone in isolated places
• Tread lightly and only take photos away as souvenirs of your outing
• Always wear your helmet
• *Tips from the NORBA and IMBA codes of conduct

THE E-BIKE REVOLUTION IS  HERE

A breath of fresh air with the opening of a new area dedicated to e-bikes, the bikes with pedal assistance. There are trails ranging from easy to moderately difficult with a maximum 1300 metres elevation gain. “The electric bike is perfect for all age groups – says Uli Stanciu, an expert in this sector, – and should not be looked on as some sort of contamination, but rather as an opportunity. Differences in age, gender, or fitness levels no longer prevent people from sharing this experience and there is no longer any need to be put off by the mountain.” So now Bike Garda Trentino offers an even more attractive and comprehensive range of activities, meaning even that even the less athletic can take part and have fun.

The Bike Map produced by Garda Trentino S.p.A. also contains all the official trails for every kind of discipline (including 6 e-bike trails).

ALL YOU COULD EVER NEED: HOSPITALITY, ASSISTANCE, TRANSPORT

In order to make it easier to get around by bike in Garda Trentino there is the backup of a series of important services which make the tourist bikers feel perfectly at home, starting with tailored hospitality. You can avail of the certified Outdoor Friendly network of specialized hotels, campsites, villas, bed and breakfasts and apartments with 46 facilities especially designed for bikers and the warm hospitality of Trentino. Here you will find all the information you need on sports activities in Garda Trentino, breakfast buffet with vitamin bar and containers for packed lunches on request *, facilities to wash and dry clothes * bicycle storage with a mini workshop, wi-fi* or no internet (digital detox). 

(The services marked with * may be charged).

To find the perfect solution and check availability just click on www.gardatrentino.it/outdoorfriendly.

MOBILITY AND BIKE-FRIENDLY SERVICES

The network of bike-friendly transport services is improving and more convenient by the year. There are three professional Bike Shuttles providing connections with a number of destinations.As a rule, in Trentino bikes can be transported on intercity lines, with space on the baggage rack for 2 bikes and a charge of 2 Euro each way. Bike transport is also available on the ATV line for Verona. And still on the subject of transport, you can use the ferry boats and take your bike on the cable car from Malcesine to Monte Baldo to enjoy the stunning itineraries in the unique environment of the garden of Europe.

Other services available include 7 Sport Academies, who offer guided tours, 15 mountain bike rental shops (as well as accommodation facilities where bike hire is already an option), 22 specialist shops and qualified guides to help you stay safe on any type of itinerary you might choose.

DETAILED GUIDES AND ROUTES TO DOWNLOAD

Garda Trentino have come out with a new brochure and the new large format Bike Map which contains details of the permanent Marathon route, 38 trails for mountain biking, 6 for e-bikes, 6 for family tours, as well as descriptions of the Bike Park Garda Trentino and Val del Diaol and ex seicentouno (601). You can always download details of the routes and print a summary of the most important information to carry in your backpack when you are on a trip.

Everything in Garda Trentino conspires to help you plan and experience the perfect holiday on your bike: unique surroundings, ever-expanding options, professional assistance and services.