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

1. Always wear your helmet.
2. Plan your ride.
3. You share the trail with other users. Yield right of way to hikers.
4. Let your speed be determined by your experience.
5. Ride slowly on crowded trails, overtake with politeness and respect.
6. Cycle only on authorized and open trails.
7. Avoid muddy trails in order not to damage them further.
8. Respect public and private property.
9. Always be self-sufficient.
10. 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 starting point of the gps track given is in Arco, on the cycle path in the Caneve car park. Follow directions towards the town cetre. Do not expect to find signposting for the route in the town. However, once you get to the church which is easy to spot, cross Piazza 3 Novembre and, keeping to the right, head down Via Segantini.

When you come to the stop sign at the bridge, cross the road and turn onto the cycle path which runs along the River Sarca. Following it across the river and head north where you will come to a bike grill. Turn right here and cross the small district of Moletta. When you come to the crossroads and the traffic lights, cross the main road and take the secondary road which heads right in the direction of San Martino. Before you get to the village, at the first fork, keep to the left and follow the road through the olive groves where it begins to climb steeply. Clear sighposting takes you past the crags of Policromuro and the archaeological site with rock engravings until you come to the chestnut woods of Pianaura. Continue here to the right in the direction of Troiana and then Carobbi. When you get to Carobbi, make sure before heading straight at the junction for Braila to fill up with water at the spring near the house nearby.

Now follow directions again and, after a short downhill stretch through the woods, you start climbing again towards Passo Due Sassi. On a clear day, this stretch of the route which takes you towards Malga Zanga, offers stunning views. Once you have passed the pastures, you need to make one final effort to get to the pass, Passo Santa Barbara. When you come to the stop sign at the pass, where you will also find a water fountain, keep to the right and follow the main road for a hundred metres or so. Follow directions and leave the road, keeping to the left, and you are back on a dirt track again. Now you come to the downhill run with the worst going which leads you down towards Malga Fiavei. When you come to a sharp bend to the right, which is on route 762, keep left and head towards Pannone. At the next junction keep on straight, still going downhill, and you will come to Maso Naranch and its marvellous views over Lake Garda.

Keep on going in the direction of Pannone and when you get near the shrine of San Rocco, you will find yourself back on a paved road again. Keep on straight until you come to the main road which goes up from Pannone to Passo Santa Barbara. Keep to the right here, heading down towards the nearby village and almost immediately, turn right. An old dirt road brings you back onto the main road near the ruins of Castel Gresta. From here on, continue downhill towards Loppio and the route will  take you off and back onto the main road repeatedly until you come to the cycle path which runs along the bottom of the valley. Turn right onto it in the direction of Lake Garda. When you reach the pass at Passo San Giovanni, follow directions for the bike trail towards Nago and ride through the historic centre. As you leave the town, you come to a roundabout where you turn left onto a steep downhill lane which runs through a car park. You are back on a dirt track again and when you come to the snack bar Sesto Grado, cross the main road for Torbole, continuing downhill in the direction of Arco. Once you get to the bottom, in sight of Arco Castle, follow directions and cross the peaceful farmland of Pratosaiano until you get back to where you started from.

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.