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4.2 North on the Sarca cycle path: from Arco to Sarche

Dro & Drena, Valle dei Laghi, Arco

Category
Difficulty
Intermediate
Duration
2:55
Duration in hours
Distance
38.3
Distance in km
Status
open
Suggested period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
A route which is almost entirely on the cycle path along the banks of the River Sarca, one of the best-loved in Trentino and busy all year round.
The cycle path from Torbole to Sarche is the most popular in Trentino: every year thousands of cyclists and hikers pass this way. The track starts from the lake shore in Torbole and follows the River Sarca upstream on a flat route which winds through the countryside. The stretch as far as Dro is particularly suitable for families with small children who want to explore Garda Trentino by bicycle.
Further information and useful links
  • After Pietramurata the cycle path winds through many vineyards: you are in the area where Vino Santo is produced, a Slow Food presidium of the upper lake. It is a sweet wine produced in limited quantities from the indigenous Nosiola grape and is traditionally pressed on Good Friday, or Venerdì Santo. 
  • For further information on routes, activities, events and accommodation at lake Garda:  APT Garda Trentino, Tel. +39 0464 554444 - www.gardatrentino.it

Route info
Intermediate
Route number
Distance
38,3 km
Duration
2 h 55 min
Altitude difference (+)
228 m
Altitude difference (-)
227 m
Technical skills
Physical effort
Scenary
Highest point
276 m
Lowest point
86 m
Suggestions
In summer be sure to bring your swimsuit: underneath the Roman bridge in Ceniga there is a little beach, ideal for cooling down after your bicycle ride
Safety guidelines
  1. Give your bike a regular checkup, especially if you've had it for years.
  2. Be seen: you must wear a high vis jacket (or sash) in tunnels and on country roads after sunset.
  3. Always wear your helmet.
  4. Make sure your front and rear lights are working.
  5. 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.
  6. Don't use headphones or your mobile phone handsfree kit: you need all your concentration on the road!
  7. Obey the road signs: stop at traffic lights and don't ride on the wrong side of the road.
  8. If you are cycling in a group, always go in single file.
  9. 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.
  10. If there are cycle paths use them. It's your safety that's at stake and the rules of the road say you must.

Note: 

The cycle pathe in Trentino are usually closed by the local authorities from November, 15th to April, 15th. Exceptions are the cycle paths along the River Adige and in the Basso Sarca/Garda Trentino, where cycling is prohibited only in case of ice or during a snowfall

Punto di partenza
Parking place at the bridge - Arco
Directions

Head off from the car ark situated at the bridge in Arco where the cycle path begins. Shortly after, you pass the Climbing Stadium on your left, the venue for the Rock Master championship, one of the most important climbing competitions in the world. Follow the road signs so that you are cycling along with the river on your left and the vineyards on your right. 

At the end of the cycle path turn left onto a side road which takes you into the little hamlet of Ceniga. Here you turn onto the first road on the right, then the first left, and cross through the centre. Continue on straight through vineyards until you come to a slight rise; turn right and then, at the end of the road, right again. At the stop sign turn right once more and go onto the roundabout, where you take the third exit. A sign on the side of the road gives directions for the cycle path. Cycle for a short distance among the houses until you come to the start of the cycle path which is protected and for bikes only.

This trail is well signposted and passes through the vineyards. The River Sarca is always flowing on the left of the cycle path which takes you to the Fies power station. Here, continue along the cycle path.
Be careful! In this area there is a short cement road that is very steep.
You are now passing through the protected area of the Marocche. Continue on the gentle rise with the River Sarca still on your left. After a downhill stretch you come to Pietramurata. Follow direction for the cycle path as you cross the centre and then go back onto the cycle path as it runs north along the flat beside the river.

At the end of the cycle path turn right and then immediately turn left; at the roundabout take the second exit in the direction of Ponte Oliveti / Pergolese. Continue on down the main road with vineyards on either side and cross through the centre of Pergolese; continue down the main road and you come to Lake  Cavedine.

At this point you turn right, cross the bridge and go onto the cycle path which runs along the lake shore for a stretch. Follow cycle path signposts for Dro and, at the junction, turn left. Continue along the cycle path as far as the “taglio del Sarca” where you begin a nice downhill stretch through the woods. Now you are back on the cycle path you came out on which you follow back to Dro.

Here you cross through the historic centre and continue on towards Ceniga: at the end of the town turn right following directions for the Roman bridge. Cross the bridge and turn left into a little lane which runs between the River Sarca on the left and the sheer rock face of Monte Colodri on the right. Keep going straight to get back to where you started from.

public transportation
Arco is served by a number of bus lines, in particular the two urban lines (numbers 1 and 2) which connect Riva del Garda with Torbole sul Garda. For bus times: www.gardatrentino.it
How to get there
From the toll-booth Rovereto Sud - Lago di Garda nord, take SP 3 and then strada statale 204 as far as Nago. From there, ss 240 in the direction of Arco. Further info about how to get to Garda Trentino: www.gardatrentino.it 
Where to park
Parking place at the bridge (not free) 
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