A long uphill climb on the northern slopes of Monte Baldo, mostly on paved road with stunning scenery, towards peaceful pastures overlooking the Brenta Dolomites.
Monte Baldo is normally known for its extremely technical trails like the legendary ExSeicentouno. But this trail is quite simple from a technical point of view, even though it is very demanding physically.
The elevation profile speaks for itself: 1550 metres of elevation gain, largely on paved road, without any letup, with an average gradient of 10%. A total of over 1700 metres, 100 more, if you are starting from lake level. The scenery, as you climb, is simply stunning.
Once you have reached the top of Monte Varagna, a short stretch that is steep and loose, then there are easy forest trails, steep at times, but well-kept, and secondary roads in the Altopiano di Brentonico plateau. These areas, so tranquil and steeped in tradition, seem a million miles away from a crowded tourist area like Alto Garda. There are no water springs along the route and the first mountain hut you will come to is Rifugio Campei. You must therefore make sure to bring enough water to drink.
BIKER’S CODE OF RESPONSIBILITY
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMET !
Suggestions taken from NORBA and IMBA codes of conduct.
The information on this chart is subject to inevitable variations, so this means that none of the 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, the hiker is advised to check the conditions of the places, environment and weather before setting out.
The departure point for this route is Parco le Busatte. At the car park exit, the signpost for route 765 takes you straight onto the steep uphill climb towards Nago. At the end of the cement stretch, follow the clear directions and turn onto the road for Monte Baldo. Stay on this road and pass Malga Zures and Doss Casina. Further along the road you also pass Prati di Nago and a series of steeper bends, until you come to a car park where the paved road ends. Keep on going on the dirt road, follow the forest trail and pass the barrier. When you reach the saddle of Monte Varagna, you come to a fork in the road. Here you follow directions and turn onto a track on the right a little lower down. Directly below Monte Altissimo, you now cross the meadows of the pasture in the direction of Val del Parol. Even though it is probably pointless, we would like to remind you to always close the gates when you enter and leave pastures.
What comes next is the most technical part of the route, not very long, but rather rough going and with some tight bends. When you get to the dirt road which crosses Val del Parol, keep left and ride on through pastures until you come to the mountain hut Rifugio Campei. This is the only refreshment point you will meet on the mountainside before you come to the towns on the plateau. Go on past the mountain hut and be sure not to underestimate the steepness of the gradient, limit your speed and pay particular attention to the cemented tracks along the trail, especially when the going is wet. When you come to the Brentegana road, still on a dirt track, follow it downhill until you come to the farms in Festa. From here on, the route follows a paved road towards Brentonico. Shortly before you come to the town, follow directions and take a sharp left on a narrow uphill road. This will take you above the town football pitches. Shortly after you pass them, keep right and turn onto a mule track which leads to the ruins of the old castle of Dosso Maggiore, of which only traces remain. Keep left, on a paved road once again, until you come to the town of Castione where, once you get to the piazza beneath the church, you will pick up signposts again. Continue onwards towards Sano where you need to keep left until you come to the bottom of the valley. Here you cross the fields and come to the cycle path which runs along the main road. Follow it in the direction of Lake Garda over the Passo San Giovanni pass and you will come to Nago. Ride through the historic centre of the town past the church and keep going, first down via San Vigilio, then via Monte Baldo. Keep going in the direction of Busatte and you come to the first part of the route which you follow in the opposite direction until you come back to where you started from.
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 tour. For up-to-the-minute information on timetables and routes: www.gardatrentino.it
Info about bike transport on public means: www.gardatrentino.it
Getting to northern Lake Garda / Garda Trentino: www.gardatrentino.it
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!
Remember to throughly evaluate the type of route you plan to do, the locations you plan 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
| Length | 32,0 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6 h 05 min | |
| Ascent | 1.074 m |
| Length | 36,8 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 7 h 14 min | |
| Ascent | 1.218 m |
| Length | 42,6 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 7 h 10 min | |
| Ascent | 1.448 m |
| Length | 19,1 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 h 10 min | |
| Ascent | 705 m |
| Length | 19,8 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 h 30 min | |
| Ascent | 184 m |
