THE BEST BIKE TRAILS
Lake Garda is one of the most interesting destinations for bike tourism: its territory is wide and rich in bike trails that will satisfy any need. In fact, the Lake is surrounded by mountains to the north, by hills and vineyards to the south, and also has many flat stretches, perfect for an afternoon of relaxation.
Here are the best bike trails to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Lake Garda: the paths are divided according to the region in which they are located and the difficulty.
Come discover the magic of Lake Garda on two wheels!
Sirmione and Lugana vineyards
- Level: easy
- Duration: 2.5 h
- Length: 32 km (19 miles)
- Towns: Sirmione, Pozzolengo, San Martino (Desenzano)
This trail is perfect for wine lovers, since it guides you through the vineyards of Lugana, a fine local white wine. The route starts from the Pier of Sirmione and heads south, towards the tower of San Martino della Battaglia (a hamlet of Desenzano).
The trail continues until Pozzolengo, a small and quiet village south from Sirmione, and then back north through the vineyards: you will reach the beach in Punta Grò, where you can take a dip in the lake before going back to the pier of Sirmione.
Cycle-pedestrian path in Limone sul Garda
This trail is very short and easy, but it’s really worth a visit because of its breathtaking landscape: when it was inaugurated in 2018, it was defined as “the most beautiful bike path in Europe”. And with good reason: this trail is built overhanging the lake, suspended between sky and water.
To date this route is pretty short, so that you can also walk on it, but soon it will become part of a bigger project called “Garda by bike”: in a few years, we will be able to bike around the perimeter of Lake Garda, away from traffic.
Valtenesi Bike Trail
- Level: medium
- Duration: 3 h 30 mins
- Length: 48 km (30 miles)
- Towns: Salò, Manerba, Moniga, Lonato, Padenghe, Polpenazze, Puegnago
This route is more challenging than previous ones, but if you want to spend an afternoon discovering the castles and hills of western Lake Garda, that’s probably the best way. This area, called Valtènesi, is dedicated to the production of the homonymous wine: don’t miss the opportunity to taste it, maybe as an aperitif after a tiring ride!
The trail starts in Cunettone, a hamlet of Salò, goes south through Manerba and Moniga until Maguzzano (Lonato), then west to the Castle of Drugolo (Lonato), then up north, through Polpenazze and Puegnago, and arrives in Cunettone again.
Cycle-pedestrian path Lazise-Punta san Vigilio
The bike trails that goes from Lazise to Punta san Vigilio (Garda) is very easy (so that you can also walk on it) but also very suggestive: it starts in Lazise, and runs along the lake going north, through Cisano, Bardolino, and Garda.
It arrives in Punta San Vigilio, a spectacular bay with a small harbour and a little church. If you feel like you’re living in a painting, you are: Punta San Vigilio is the setting of one of Tiziano’s most famous paintings, Sacred and Profane Love. This trail is ideal in spring, when the sun shines but tourists have not stormed the lakefront yet.
Peschiera - Valeggio - Custoza
- Level: medium
- Duration: 3 h 30 mins
- Length: 45 km (28 miles)
- Towns: Peschiera del Garda, Monzambano, Valeggio sul Mincio, Custoza
This one is a very scenic bike trail, that winds between hills and vineyards: in fact, this area is well known for its white wine, called Custoza. Most of the route is on a unpaved road, so we suggest to take a mountain bike.
The trail starts from Peschiera del Garda, on the southern shore of Lake Garda, and leads south, crossing Monzambano, until Valeggio sul Mincio (a very suggestive little town). It then comes back through Custoza and its vineyards, up to Peschiera.
Malcesine and Monte Baldo
- Level: difficult
- Duration: 5 hours
- Length: 27 km (17 miles)
- Towns: Malcesine, Navene, Tratto Spino
This is probably one of the most difficult trails on Lake Garda, but it’s also one of the most spectacular: the difference in height is challenging, since the path climbs and descends from Monte Baldo. You will reach an altitude of over 2.000 mt, so we suggest to do this route from May to November (when there is no snow).
The track starts from Tratto Spino, then climbs through Bocca di Navene and Bocca del Creer up to Monte Altissimo. The trail then descends towards Navene, through Prati di Nago, Dosso dei Roveri and Dos Spirano: you will arrive on the beautiful cycle path of Malcesine, that runs along the Lake.
Ponale Road
- Level: easy
- Duration: 2 hours
- Length: 8 km (5 miles)
- Towns: Riva del Garda, Pregasina
The Ponale Road is one of the most famous routes on northern Lake Garda: it was first built in the mid-19th century to connect Riva del Garda with Ledro Valley and the small Lake Ledro, to the north-west of Lake Garda.
A large part of the route overlooks the lake and therefore offers a spectacular view of Upper Lake Garda. The trail is not difficult at all, so if you happen to be in Riva del Garda it’s surely worth a visit!
Lake Tenno Road
- Level: medium
- Duration: 3 hours
- Length: 22.5 km (14 miles)
- Towns: Riva del Garda, Tenno
This path is not particularly difficult, but has challenging uphill sections, so we recommend it to those who are already familiar with biking. It winds through vineyards and olive groves, and offers postcard-views on the lake.
The route leads from Riva del Garda to Lake Tenno, a little lake to the north of Lake Garda. If you happen to be there in the summer, don’t miss the chance to take a dip in its blue water!
Whether you’re looking for a quiet outing or a more challenging route, Lake Garda will certainly leave you satisfied!
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