Directions
The route starts in Arco, or more precisely at the cycle path near the Caneve car park. Following the initial directions, head toward the town centre, where it is fairly easy to find the public gardens in the town centre. At the far left of the park, take Viale delle Magnolie and then turn right into Via Porta Scaria, which runs uphill skirting the historic centre and the arboretum. At the town gate in Stranfora, turn left and at the following fork keep left.
At the junction you will find signposting for our trail marked 747, leading across the olive groves surrounding 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 left following the road in the direction of Vigo Lomaso. After 500 m of a gentle descent, turn right towards the church of San Lorenzo and continue to the villages of Poia and 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.
From Sarche on, the tour unfolds along the right bank of the river, never crossing it until the very end. At the bridge turn right through the vineyards and take Via Ràuten. At the next bridge you'll find yourself on the main road, which you have to follow for a short while. At the roundabout turn right and head for the mountain and the access trail to the Via Ferrata Che Guevara. Keep on this trail for about 1 km and then turn right onto the Massampiano forest road, which will take you to Borgo Nuovo, a group of houses on the outskirts of Pietramurata, and then rejoin the main road.
At the motocross park turn right and after a short section on asphalt follow the dirt track which runs parallel to the main road, though on higher ground, and is flanked by the walls of Monte Brento. Ride past the Marocche area, Lake Bagattoli and reach Oltra, where you'll find yourself on tarmac once again. Continue along this country lane to go past the Roman bridge of Ceniga and the church of San Paolo and reach Prabi, in the outskirts of Arco. Once you come to bridge over the river Sarca you'll see Viale Segantini, Arco's main street, on your right. Ignore it and go straight ahead to take the cycle path, which runs along the rivee. After 400 m cross the bridge to return to the starting point.
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