All in all, an itinerary that is simple and suitable for everyone, for exploring all the aspects of the Valley of the Lakes and the Cavedine Valley.
The first part of this route crosses the Valley of the Lakes, skirting all along Lake Cavedine, Lake Toblino and Lake Santa Massenza. Instead, the return journey crosses the entire Cavedine Valley. In addition to the cycle paths, this itinerary takes full advantage of the quiet secondary roads common in the Garda Trentino area.
From a technical standpoint, the route is not particularly taxing. The only challenge of the day comes up in the first part of the Cavedine Valley, where the road rises towards the S.Udalrico Pass, but even here, the gradients are never insurmountable.
Give your bike a regular checkup, especially if you've had it for years.
Be seen: you must wear a high vis jacket (or sash) in tunnels and on country roads after sunset.
Always wear your helmet.
Make sure your front and rear lights are working.
Put out your arm to give advance warning of your intention to change position and before you do anything, check there are no vehicles coming up behind you.
Don't use headphones or your mobile phone handsfree kit: you need all your concentration on the road!
Obey the road signs: stop at traffic lights and don't ride on the wrong side of the road.
If you are cycling in a group, always go in single file.
You've got a bell: use it to let pedestrians know you're there. Don't ride on footpaths. If you have to then get off and push your bike.
If there are cycle paths use them. It's your safety that's at stake and the rules of the road say you must.
Our itinerary begins at the start of the cycle path, just outside the centre of Arco, in the car park near the bridge over the river Sarca. On the cycle path we skirt the Sarca for several kilometres. The cycle path ends in the Ceniga area, where we turn left. First, we pass through Ceniga, then Dro. Having reached the church we carry straight on, then continue straight ahead at the roundabout too, a few metres later. We pass the road bridge and after a short straight section of road the only hard part of the day commences: a few kilometres towards the Marocche di Dro nature reserve.
A few bends later, we encounter a crossroads, and turn left towards Lake Cavedine. After a few hundred metres, a pleasant descent begins, leading down to the lake. Here, flat, slower sections alternate with short, faster ones. We stay on this road for about ten kilometres, until we reach Sarche. At the first roundabout we turn right, then turn right again at the next roundabout shortly after it. Now we skirt the entire length of Lake Toblino before heading towards Santa Massenza. Here too, we skirt the lake. We enter the small town and, past a small arch we turn right, passing by the church. We ride by the Santa Massenza Hydroelectric Power Plant, through Padergnone and turn right on to SP84, towards the Cavedine Valley.
This road takes us across the entire valley, passing through the towns of Lasino, Stravino, Cavedine, and Vigo. We head up the slight uphill stretch as far as the S. Udalrico Pass, where the descent towards Drena and Dro begins. The road we need to take is the same one we travelled on the way here.
The towns in Garda Trentino - Riva del Garda, Torbole sul Garda, Nago and Arco – are connected by a number of urban and intercity bus lines which will take you to the starting point of the trail.
For up-to-the-minute information on timetables and routes: www.gardatrentino.it
Getting to Lake Garda – Garda Trentino: www.gardatrentino.it
Free parking in Caneve (5 minutes on foot from the centre).
Pay parkng Foro Boario, Via Caproni Maini (Parcheggio al Ponte), Posta (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 drop your energy levels. The unexpected things also make up a part of the fun!
Do not compare a road bike with a mountain bike. They are very different, especially in technical terms, and facing a hill with a road bike could be much more difficult than facing the same hill with a MTB. Therefore, remember to throughly evaluate the type of route you plan to do and the locations you plan to cross. Do not forget to consider the current season. Has it been raining? Attention: the paint of the crosswalk could be very slick.
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.
