TRENTINO – GARDASEE & LEVICO SEE – THE PERFECT LAKE PAIRING
On both shores of the lake, Trentino scores with the unique contrasts between water and mountains and brings together the desires of a wide variety of cyclists under one helmet. So if you trek to Trentino be sure not to forget your bike and swim trunks….
Almost no mountain biker doesn’t have Lake Garda on his or her cycling bucket list. After all, Lake Garda is Italy’s MTB Mecca par excellence and is not only a gem of nature, but also a lifestyle meeting place for mountain bikers, road cyclists and surfers. The contrast between the wild, lonely mountain landscape and the Mediterranean dolce vita is unique; the mild climate allows for biking almost year-round. And it is precisely this Alpine-Mediterranean mix that makes it so attractive. Those who ride their first training laps here in Italy as early as March already have a serious fitness advantage. But more importantly; those who rode the iconic Monte Baldo or the Kaiserjäger single trail have more than just something to talk about.
Dolomiti Lagorai: an ingenious MTB alliance
Despite all the wonderful, colorful crowds, Lake Garda is not the only Trentieno spot that should be on your bucket list. The small, beautiful Lake Levicio is also on the wish list. Here in eastern Trentino it is a little quieter, but no less varied. Several villages – Valsugana, Val di Fiemme, Val di Fassa, San Martino di Castrozza and Val di Cembra to be exact – have united to form the Dolomiti Lagorai, conjuring up an extraordinary mountain biking area around the Lagorai mountains on the cycling map. Here you can enjoy secluded mountain tours in the southern Dolomites and the beautiful two-mountain tour to Lago di Caldonazzo and Lago di Levico. Again, mountain bikers are always between the lakes and the mountains. In our opinion, the best/most beautiful mix for cycling!
Signature trails, bike park & Pinè plateau
Besides the aforementioned Kaiserjäger single trail – a natural MTB route that tells a lot of history – there are also lesser-known single trails with full cycling infrastructure. There is so much to explore – from the Canazei bike park, which is definitely worth a visit, to the breathtaking Pinè plateau in the Val di Cembra wine region, not far from Trento. Here again you can see lakes as far as the eye can see and your legs can cycle. Both nature-loving tourers and adrenaline-seeking downhillers will find what they are looking for in East Trentino.
Meet Daniele Acler
The Sport & Wellness Hotel Cristallo on Lake Levico is the perfect home base for mountain bikers and road cyclists alike. Daniele Acler, junior manager of the bike hotel, has been cycling around the region for more than 15 years and knows the area like the back of his hand. His guided tours are a real experience, his personal tour tips for the freeride & enduro area that lies on his doorstep are worth their weight in gold, and an expert conversation with him is always informative.
Hotspot northern Lake Garda
What else is there to mention about the bike hotspot of northern Lake Garda that hasn’t already been described somewhere, such as the 25.9 km Tremalzzo single trail, the legendary Trail 601, the Marocche circuit or the Cavedine Valley Tour? Not to mention, of course, the top-class international cycling events.
Well, there’s also Silvio Rigatti. He is the owner of the AktivHotel SantaLucia in Torbole on Lake Garda, a certified bike guide and a passionate mountain biker. And a triathlete. Cycling with him for 5 hours and about 1,000 altimeters on his favorite tour “Monte di Cavadine” is a real adventure. They are bike rides with cult character. Afterwards it is time for a dip in the 25-meter pool (no wonder if the boss is a triathlete), “after-bike time” with wine and olive oil tastings in Silvio’s wine cellar or an evening drink on the lakeside. So there are countless reasons for a cycling vacation on Lake Levicio or Lake Garda. Longing for freedom on two wheels in the most beautiful nature is certainly one of them.
BIKE-FRIENDLY AND SPECIALIZED HOTELS IN TRENTINO
AktivHotel Santa Lucia****, mtb.aktivhotel.it
Cristallo Sport & Wellness Hotel***, hotelcristallotrentino.it
MORE CYCLING HOTELS AND CYCLING DESTINATIONS AT:
bike-holidays.com
