Monte Bondone Tour

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Valle dei Laghi, Dro & Drena, Arco, Riva del Garda

Category

Difficulty

Difficult

Duration

6:00

Duration in hours

Distance

99.8

Distance in km

Status

open

Suggested period

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

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Description Details Turn-by-turn directions How to get there Equipment Points of interest

An extremely tough route. The focus of this long tour is the ascent to Mount Bondone, a climb only suitable for true grimpeurs.

We depart from Riva del Garda, heading towards Trento, passing Lake Cavedine on the way. At Vigolo Baselga the climb towards Mount Bondone, the mountain of Trento, begins.

The Giro d'Italia has concluded one of its stages here no less than four times. Its bends, especially those on the east side, also host the famous Trento-Bondone car race. And, in fact, this side is the same one we suggest tackling in this itinerary: more than 10 kilometres with a steady gradient of about 8%. As well as the steep gradient, the distance also makes this tour a tough one, as it racks up a total of nearly 100 kilometres.

So, an ideal route for climbers who want to relive the feat achieved by Charly Gaul in a stage of the Giro d'Italia back in 1956, when, in the middle of a snowstorm, in second place, he made up a gap of 8 minutes and won just before reaching Mount Bondone.

Along the lake promenade in Riva del Garda

Archivio APT Garda Trentino , Garda Trentino

Lake Cavedine

M. Giacomello, Garda Trentino

0100

Further information and useful links

From epic climbs to fast descents, every detail matters. Ride worry-free with help from our road cycling specialists: rentals, mechanics and guides who speak your language – the language of smooth tarmac and two wheels.

Route info

Difficult

Route number

Distance

99,8 km

Duration

6 h 00 min

Altitude difference (+)

1.780 m

Altitude difference (-)

1.780 m

Technical skills

Physical effort

Scenary

Highest point

1.655 m

Lowest point

69 m

Suggestions

The climb is long and hard, but there are lots of bends, about thirty in total: make the most of them to catch your breath between one steep slope and another.

Safety guidelines

Give your bike a regular checkup, especially if you've had it for years.
Be seen: you must wear a high vis jacket (or sash) in tunnels and on country roads after sunset.
Always wear your helmet.
Make sure your front and rear lights are working.
Put out your arm to give advance warning of your intention to change position and before you do anything, check there are no vehicles coming up behind you.
Don't use headphones or your mobile phone handsfree kit: you need all your concentration on the road!
Obey the road signs: stop at traffic lights and don't ride on the wrong side of the road.
If you are cycling in a group, always go in single file.
You've got a bell: use it to let pedestrians know you're there. Don't ride on footpaths. If you have to then get off and push your bike.
If there are cycle paths use them. It's your safety that's at stake and the rules of the road say you must.

Punto di partenza

Riva del Garda - Info office

Directions

Starting from Riva del Garda you head north towards Arco up to the Carmellini parking where you take the cycle path that flanks the Sarca river until the residential area of Cenig Carry on to Dro and turn right towards Drena going up the Marocche until the castle of the same name that overlooks the whole Sarca valley. At the crossroads turn left towards Lake Cavedine in the same lunar landscape.

Continue and pass through the countryside of Pergolese and reach Ponte Oliveti, where we cross the bridge on the right. At the second hairpin turn on the left, we take the small road that leads us through fields and vineyards towards Lake Santa Massenza. We take the side road going through Padergnone and go up towards Vezzano. Afterwards carry on slightly uphill along the Gardesana road up to Vigolo Baselga where right after turning right, the climb starts.

At the beginning of Baselga di Bondone turn left and take the uphill street to Sopramonte. After passing by Candriai you will reach the legendary climb of Mount Bondone, thereafter you will pass through Vaneze, Norge and reach Vason, the highest point. From here on you will descend towards Viote at the foot of the Palom and you will pass Lagolo, Castel Madruzzo and the Cavedine Valley. At the crossroads you turn left again and cycle slightly uphill along the Cavedine valley arriving at the S. Uldarico Pass before descending torwards Drena and through the “Marocche”. Once arrived in Dro, turn left again towards Arco and afterwards get back to the starting point Riva del Garda.

public transportation

The towns in Garda Trentino - Riva del Garda, Torbole sul Garda and Arco – are connected by several urban and intercity bus lines which will take you to the starting point or in the immediate surroundings.

For up-to-the-minute information on timetables and routes

You can also get to Riva del Garda and Torbole sul Garda by the public ferry service.

How to get there

Getting to northern lake Garda / Garda Trentino

Where to park

Free parking near the former hospital (Via Rosmini).

Paid parking: Terme Romane (Viale Roma), Vecchia stazione (Largo Medaglie d’Oro), Ex-agraria (Via Lutti).

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!

Do not compare a road bike with a mountain bike. They are very different, especially in technical terms, and facing a hill with a road bike could be much more difficult than facing the same hill with a MTB. Therefore, remember to throughly evaluate the type of route you plan to do and the locations you plan to cross. Do not forget to consider the current season. Has it been raining? Attention: the paint of the crosswalk could be very slick.

What do I need to bring on my bike tour?