ITRS - International Trail Rating System

The ITRS is an objective way to assess trails and routes from a biker’s perspective, evaluating four aspects:

• Technical Difficulty: riding skill level needed
• Endurance: combined effect of length, uphill and downhill
• Wilderness: amount of planning required based on mobile phone reception, rescue options, water supply and wildlife
• Exposure: consequences of a fall

Discover more about the ITRS system and check the classification of this tour in the photo gallery.

Safety Tips

• Always wear your helmet.
• Plan your ride.
• You share the trail with other users. Yield right of way to hikers.
• Let your speed be determined by your experience.
• Ride slowly on crowded trails, overtake with politeness and respect.
• Cycle only on authorized and open trails.
• Avoid muddy trails in order not to damage them further.
• Respect public and private property.
• Always be self-sufficient.
• Do not cycle solo in remote areas.

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 track provided gives the starting point as Arco; the cycle path near the Caneve car park, to be exact. Following the initial directions you head towards the town centre where you will find no signposts telling you what way to go. Nonetheless, it is easy to see and get to the church in the town centre, and cross Piazza III Novembre leaving the building behind you. At the left end of the square, at the start of via Vergolano, turn into the lane on your right and immediately turn left into Via del Dosso. Follow the old-fashioned laneway which leads into the historic part of Arco and continue on down via Stranfora. Keep on straight leaving the little church of San Bernardino on your left. When you have passed the old fountain, head uphill a short distance before turning left through the ancient walls (Porta Stranfora). Continue on to the right past the entrance to the Parco Arciducale and then turn left.

At the next junctions you will find signposting for our trail which marked number 747, leading across the olive groves, the Olivaia di Arco. In some stretches here the gradient is really demanding. When you come to the paved road, keep to the right and follow directions for Padaro, about a kilometre away. When you come to the town, where you can find a fresh water fountain, the gradient levels off but it still generally remains around 10%. Keep on straight, following the main road and pass Mandrea and Doss del Cléf. Once you come to San Giovanni al Monte, you can always stop off for lunch on the mountain side. It is a classic destination for cyclists in the area, but you need to go on a further hundred metres or so to reach the highest point on the route.

When you come to Marcarie, you find yourself back on a dirt road and crest the hill at an altitude of a little over 1100 m. From here on, clear signposts lead you along a forest trail, cemented in stretches with a steep gradient. You quickly lose altitude and enter Lomaso. Back on the paved road once again, you come to a crossroads at the little church of San Silvestro. Keep to the right following the road in the direction of Lundo. After a kilometre of a gentle uphill climb, you come to the main road and keep left in the direction of Poia. Cross the town centre following the signposts for the hamlet of Godenzo where you will find another fresh water fountain. Continue along quiet paved country roads with marvellous scenery until you come to the main road for Sarche. This is the only stretch of the road where you will generally find a lot of traffic. So take care and keep to the right of the road until you come to the start of the cycle path on the opposite side of the road.

Follow it until you come back to the main road where you take to the road for four bends until you come across the cycle path at Sarche on your right. Cycle along the River Sarca, and follow the cycle path in the direction of Garda as far as Pieramurata. When you get to the church, keep left and go down via Cavedine until you cross the bridge over the Rimone canal. Now keep right and follow this quiet road towards nearby Lake Cavedine. Cycle along the lake and pass it and you come to the spectacular Marocche di Dro. Keep right when you come to the junction with the main road for Drena and follow the valley bottom. After about 1.5 km on your right you will follow directions onto a side road which brings you back to the cycle path for Dro. At the entrance to the town, the cycle path is interrupted but clear signposts for cyclists lead you through the town and on towards Ceniga. At the end of this last village you will find the cycle path on your right which leads you back to Arco and your point of departure.

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.

Up-to-date information on timetables and routes.

Find out how to reach Garda Trentino.

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?

• An adequate water supply according to your needs (considering temperature, possibility of refuelling and duration of the route)
• Plenty of snacks (for example, dried fruit or energy bars)
• Waterproof / Windproof jacket
• A spare top / spare socks (Descending in a sweaty garment, will make you cold).
• Suncream
• Sunglasses
• Bike gloves/mitts
• Map or GPS device
• Bike lights: best placed on your helmet or handlebars. (It is always best to be prepared)
• Bike repair kit for punctures and mechanical breakdowns
• First aid kit
• Emergency whistle

It is always advised to let someone know where you plan to go and how long you expect to be.

Emergency telephone number 112.