Shady MTB uphill circuit for hot days.
Signage: 759. Monte Velo - Tour
From Arco you begin on minor roads via San Martino, riding north-east, then switching to gravelled forest roads shortly before Carobbi. You have to ascend a total of just over 1000 metres at a relatively constant gradient, right at the beginning. Once you cross Passo due Sassi, the highest point of the tour, you traverse the slope along a gently undulating series of changing surfaces. After a total of 20 kilometres, a long, relatively steep descent begins on forest roads, later through the village of Bolognano and back to the starting point.
Variants: 759a. Variante Santa Barbara - Trail
For more information on routes, bike services (rentals, workshops, shops) and cycling friendly accommodation: Garda Trentino - +39 0464 554444
ITRS - International Trail Rating System
The ITRS is an objective way to assess trails and routes from a biker’s perspective, evaluating four aspects:
Discover more about the ITRS system and check the classification of this tour in the photo gallery.
Safety Tips
This information is subject to inevitable variations, so none of these indications are absolute. It is not entirely possible to avoid giving inexact or imprecise information, given how quickly environmental and weather conditions can change. For this reason, we decline any responsibility for changes which the user may encounter. In any case, it is advisable to check environment and weather conditions before setting out.
The starting point of the tour is in Arco, along the cycling path next to the Caneve car park. Following the cycle path towards the town centre of Arco, we cross the river Sarca and ride northwards along it. We pass by the climbing stadium and cross the river once again. At the roundabout we cross the main road and reach the treelined street on the other side, which leads to the Convent of San Francesco.
Instead of going all the way to the convent, we turn left in Via di Sai and then right into Via Angelo Maino. At the crossroads near the car park we turn left and ride through the hamlet of San Martino passing by the church located on a high spot. Then we keep right and start our ascent on a rather narrow asphalt road in the direction of the Policromuro crag and the Bosco Caproni.
Once we reach Pianaura, we reach a fork and turn right to continue the climb towards Troiana, where the asphalt gives way to a dirt road, and Carobbi, a nice spot surrounded by beautiful chestnut groves. From Carobbi the forest road continues uphill in the direction of the Passo Due Sassi. Here it's definitely worth making a stop to admire the view over Lake Garda from one of two large rocks.
From the pass, the forest road starts to descend with low gradients. We ride past the turning point to Malga Zanga and turn into an asphalt road passing by Agriturismo Torboli to join the main road which links Arco to Passo Santa Barbara. We follow it for about 800 m and at the hairpin bend we take the dirt road leading to the church of San Francesco. We keep downhill, now on markedly steeper terrain, along the Monte Corno forest road and reach Malga Fiavei, a visibly abandoned building.
After 3 km we rejoin the asphalt road just outside the village of Bolognano, which we enter via Via Cacciatore. We ride through the village and past the church, then turn into Via Rovereto. We continue for about 200 m and turn tight to take Via del Rì, which we follow to the village of Caneve, at one point via a flyover. From the village square we turn left and reach a roundabout, where we take Via Paolo Leonardi to return to the starting point.
The main towns in Garda Trentino - Riva del Garda, Arco, Torbole sul Garda, Nago – are connected by several urban and intercity bus lines which will take you to the starting point of tours or in the immediate surroundings.
You can also get to Riva del Garda and Torbole sul Garda by the public ferry service.
Parking in Caneve (5 minutes walk to the town centre).
Paid parking: Foro Boario, near the bridge (Via Caproni Maini) or the post office (Via Monache).
Riding your bike requires specific clothing and equipment, even for relatively short and easy trips. It is always better to be prepared… e.g. for bad weather or a sudden drop in your energy levels. The unexpected things are part of the fun!
Remember to thoroughly evaluate the type of route you plan on doing, the locations you intend to cross and the current season. Has it been raining? Attention: The paths may be slippery and require more caution.
What do I need to bring on my bike tour?
It is always advised to let someone know where you plan to go and how long you expect to be.
Emergency telephone number 112.
