Just been watching Tom Pidcock win the mountain biking gold medal at Tokyo 2021. The urban triathlon route earlier today wasn’t very inspiring but the mountain biking route – in the hills outside of Tokyo – was much better. I should of course have been there; not competing(!!) but cycling through Japan… But there you go. Or rather, there I didn’t go. An email arrives from Italy to lift my spirits. It’s about two new cycling routes in the Trentino area of northern Italy. Trentino is basically the hilly bit to the north-west of Venice, and much more cycle-friendly than the nearby iconic coastal resort.
The DoGo: From the Dolomites to Lake Garda
“Traversing the rocky Brenta Dolomites and olive groves surrounding the Mediterranean basin of Lake Garda, this new cycling trail offers cyclists the opportunity to explore western Trentino on this 110km route reaching heights of 1,635m above sea level. Visitors will navigate their way along little-travelled forest roads, through four alpine valleys and three mountain passes. Stretching from the riverside town of Malรจ in the heart of the Val di Sole to the lakeside resort of Riva del Garda, this route is best suited to a gravel or trekking bike as cyclists navigate a range of terrains.ย
“The new route allows cyclists to take in the most spectacular scenery of Trentino as it crosses the breath-taking Adamello-Brenta Nature Park. Never far from the water the trail visits the Vallesinella waterfalls, following the Sarca river through Val di Sole before heading on to Val Rendena and passing Lake Tenno before descending to the shores of Lake Garda. Further highlights include the Museum of the Solandra Civilization in Malรจ, the cultural centre of the valley, taking in the Adamello glacier, one of the largest in Europe, and relaxing at the Terme di Comano thermal spa housed within the Castle of Stenico. Along the way, visitors are encouraged to sample fresh produce in local delis and restaurants, red and white wines from the regionโs nearby wineries and traditional dishes celebrating Trentinoโs famed apple harvest. Throughout the route there are plenty of bike-friendly accommodation options to stop off and rest your head after a day exploring on two wheels.”
If that doesn’t convince you, this video might:
More details on the DoGo website.
Garda Trentino
“Expert cyclists or e-bikers wanting an exhilarating adventure can look forward to this new route with over 1,000m of elevation gain. Featured in the local Riva del Garda Bike Festival, this track retraces the shortest leg of the legendary Bike Marathon where cyclists can challenge themselves on the constantly changing terrain of the Ronda Piccola.ย
“Starting in the heart of Riva, the route showcases the mountain villages of the region including Varone and Tenno before ascending a dirt road into Ville del Monte where cyclists will be met with an incredible view of Lake Garda. Thrill-seekers can take a break to enjoy Lake Tenno, a tranquil spot with crystal clear turquoise waters and pristine woodland before continuing down the โdi Menaโ road towards Bastiani and Vedesรจ. The Ronda Piccola reaches its peak at 1,037m at โSella di Calinoโ before a cool return through the olive groves of Rancio and an old mule track towards Varignano following onto the town of Riva del Garda. This scenic ride is the perfect challenge for any advanced cyclist.”
You can find more details about all the routes in the Trentino area on the VisitTrentino website.
Not convinced? Here are some pretty pictures:
Who needs Japan?
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