Fantastic ride with view over 5 lakes and the Dolomites.
Signage: 1713. Monte Gazza - Tour
Starting at the quaint mountain village of Ranzo, the trail first climbs gently, then traverses wooded mountain slopes over undulating terrain towards Lake Molveno. You then cycle along the eastern shore of the azure lake on well-maintained paths. Shortly before Molveno, the climb begins on forest tracks via Andalo to Monte Gazza, almost a thousand metres above. But the gradient is very even and it isn’t a hard ride. Once you reach the timberline, a fantastic panorama opens up onto the Brenta Group. This is followed by some short descents and another brief climb across the magnificent plateau. A long descent via Malga di Ranzo and the little mountain village of Margone doesn’t present any major challenges. The last few kilometres are relatively flat again, and you return quickly to the starting point via a lovely mountain road.
ITRS - International Trail Rating System
The ITRS is an objective way to assess trails and routes from a biker’s perspective, evaluating four aspects:
Discover more about the ITRS system and check the classification of this tour in the photo gallery.
Safety Tips
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.
Set off from Piazza Don Alfonso Amistadi (743 m.a.s.l.) in the village of Ranzo. Follow the flat Strada San Vigilio in a southerly direction; at the first fork, take the right and continue slightly uphill along the road above the village, cycling past two wide hairpin bends. After one kilometre, the tarmac will end and you will continue along a wide dirt road before passing through a short tunnel and eventually coming to a fork in the road (890 m.a.s.l.), where you will take a left. Head downhill and then uphill. You will pass Bael, Largè, Pezol, before reaching the tarmacked SS 421 road near Nembia (785 m.a.s.l.) – around 7.5km from Ranzo. Follow the SS-421 for 150 metres before taking a left onto a tarmacked stretch of road and then immediately right onto a dirt track that runs parallel to the SS-421. After crossing the bridge over the canal, you will reach a tarmacked road that will take you right to the southern shore of Lake Molveno. From here, you will join a path that runs along the eastern shore of the lake, initially remaining between the lake and SS-421 road, before crossing said road and riding parallel to it for around 4km in total. Cross the state road again, heading towards the shore of the lake for a short stretch, before re-joining the state road and then taking a small road that is initially tarmacked and curves up towards the village of Molveno (930 m.a.s.l.). The tour continues along the Lambin River and reaches the village of Andalo (1040 m.a.s.l.). At the intersection in the centre of the village, take the SP-64 towards Fai della Paganella and follow it for 2.1 kilometres. Take the fork on the right onto the forest road, which is signposted Pian Dosson. The forest road continues uphill for about 3.5 kilometres until you reach the ski slopes at Pian Dosson (1450 m.a.s.l.). The dirt road remains on the left of the forest, below the ski lift, and continues uphill before turning right along the slope. Continue uphill, cross several other slopes, and after some hairpin bends, ride uphill for about 6.2 kilometres to the Covelo Malga (mountain hut) (1781 m.a.s.l.). From here, the path descends to the underlying San Giovanni pass (1675 m.a.s.l.), before heading steeply up the Coel de la Casina and finally through several ups/downs to the Malga di Gaza. The last stretch of this tour follows a tarmacked road to the village of Margone (941 m.a.s.l.) and then to the junction with the 18dir (760 m.a.s.l.). Turn right here and continue for 3 kilometres until you reach the departure point in the village of Ranzo.
Ranzo is connected to Vezzano by the intercity bus line 203 (Vezzano – Ciago – Ranzo – Margone). Link between Riva del Garda and Vezzano via the 205 bus line.
Up-to-date information on timetables and routes.
Parking along the Strada di San Vigilio, the main road through Ranzo.
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?
It is always advised to let someone know where you plan to go and how long you expect to be.
Emergency telephone number 112.
