783 "Around Paganella"
Andalo - Molveno - Nembia - Ranzo - Lon - Ciago - Covelo - Terlago - Fai della Paganella - Santel - Cavedago - Priori (Tana dell'Ermellino) - Andalo
Very long and difficult cross country (XC) tour around Paganella - for EXPERTS only!
It runs entirely on roads free of traffic, mostly dirt roads. In the tour there is a short technical section and a part in which you'll have to push your bike (about 5 minutes) just above "Zambana Vecchia", where you'll also face the most difficult ascent that leads from 400m of altitude over 1000 meters of "Santel".
Author’s recommendation
It is a very challenging itinerary that has several steep climbs and a considerable length, is therefore mainly suitable for expert and well trained riders.
Restaurants "TRE3" and "La Tana dell'Ermellino" are great places for a typical lunch or for a short break to regain energy.
Along the way there are several fountains to stock up on water.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Tour suitable only for expert riders
Rules DPB: http://www.dolomitipaganellabike.com/trentino/en/about-us/rules
1 Ride Open Trails
Respect trail and road closures — Ask a land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as required. Be aware that bicycles are not permitted in areas protected as state or federal Wilderness
2 Leave No Trace
Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in.
3 Control Your Bicycle
Inattention for even a moment could put yourself and others at risk. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations, and ride within your limits.
4 Yield Appropriately
Do your utmost to let your fellow trail users know you're coming — a friendly greeting or bell ring are good methods. Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. Bicyclists should yield to other non-motorized trail users, unless the trail is clearly signed for bike-only travel. Bicyclists traveling downhill should yield to ones headed uphill, unless the trail is clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic. In general, strive to make each pass a safe and courteous one.
5 Never Scare Animals
Animals are easily startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement or a loud noise. Give animals enough room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses, use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). Running cattle and disturbing wildlife are serious offenses.
6 Plan Ahead
Know your equipment, your ability and the area in which you are riding and prepare accordingly. Strive to be self-sufficient: keep your equipment in good repair and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
Please note that the practicability of the itineraries in a mountain environment is strictly linked to the contingent conditions and is therefore influenced by natural phenomena, environmental changes and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this page may have changed. Before leaving for a tour, make sure the path you will approach is still accessible by contacting the owner of the mountain hut, the alpine guides or the visitor centres of the nature parks, the info offices of the local tourist board.
Tips and hints
Booking tours with guide: info@dolomitipaganellabike.com (+39 342 7082095)
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Starting from Andalo go to Molveno following the SS421 until the "Goodbye Andalo" table, Past the sign, turn left on the dirt road that connects Andalo to Molveno. Continuing along the road and turning right on the only visible bridge you'll arrive to loc."Genzianella". From here, going up towards the "old road" to Molveno, continue on "via Belvedere" for a few minutes until you'll arrive in front of the "gondola Molveno-Pradel". Continue along "via Nazionale" towards the lake, follow the main road untill the "Hotel Belvedere" and then turn right onto "via Lungo Lago". From the bridge, follow the road until you get to a small roundabout, turn right towards the hill and at the first intersection turn left heading towards the lake. Continue along the flat dirt road until you reach a small bridge, keep left and face the short climb that will take you to the junction for the "Fortini di Napoleone". Go straight down the slope along the lake following the main road, In a few minutes you'll be exactly at the other end of the lake. At this point, following the signs, turn right on a paved road and continue for more or less 100 meters. Before the power station turn left and then, just before the bridge, turn right along a dirt road along a canal, continue until you'll come back on the paved road that leads to the "Lago di Nembia". Once past the lake keep right and take the SS 421 for a hundred meters and then turn immediately left following the signs for Ranzo. Proceed uphill for a couple of kilometers keeping right and following the main road that will change from asphalt to dirt, it is the signal of the beginning of the dirt road Nembia-Ranzo. Continue riding along the road following the signs for Ranzo. After several kilometers you'll see the spectacular view of the gorge of the "Sarca" and you'll pass under a tunnel dug into the rock, go ahead and within minutes you'll be in the center of Ranzo. At this point follow the the road indications for Vezzano and cycle along a stretch of road dug along the hillside of the mountain, continue to pedal until the junction for Margone, keep right and face the long descent that will take you directly to Lon. From here, go to the city center and then follow the road indications for the "Laghi di Lamar" or the sign of the "Side Trail Valle dei Laghi": it is a very varied route, characterized by stretches of dirt roads, small pieces of trail and a few kilometers of paved secondary roads; there are several challenging climbs alternated with downhill stretches. Continue to ride for several kilometers following the signs of the "Side Trail Valle dei Laghi", you'll arrive near the "Laghi di Lamar". After facing a short downhill on a trail, you'll arrive on a dirt road with the directions to the Lakes on your right, turn left in the opposite way and go down the dirt road for a few minutes. At one point the dirt road will turn right, you keep left following a simple path, soon it will become very technical and, after some hard passages, will take you directly above the village of "Zambana Vecchia". From here keep left and continue uphill pushing the bike along a very steep path that climbs towards the "Passo Santel". After about 5 minutes the trail will take you on a new dirt road: now you'll face the biggest climb of the tour that leads from an altitude of 400m to 1000m of Fai della Paganella. Follow always the main road and in about 40 minutes you'll arrive behind the "Hotel Belvedere" in Fai della Paganella. From this point, turn left onto the SP64 towards Santel, once there, turn immediately right in front of the "Hotel Santellina" and get onto the road that connects Santel to Cavedago. Proceed downhill on asphalt for about 2km controlling your left, you'll notice a small path that leads into the forest marked by signs, turn, and after a short descent along a dirt road, in a few minutes you'll be on SS421. Turn left towards Cavedago, go straight until the fire department station and, once past the building, turn left and follow the signs, passing in front of the entrance of the "Hotel Olisamir". Continue straight along "via Viola" until you cross again the SS421, pedaling for about 100m and, once you get to the town hall, turn left on "via Thomas". Pedaling uphill until you arrive to a junction, keep right and get onto the path that connects Cavedago to Andalo. From here the route continues towards Andalo with a climb of about 300 meters pretty hard on asphalt. After another climb cross a dry river on your right and continue up to a junction, here turn left and within seconds you'll be back on the SP64. Cross the road and, following the signs, go in the direction of "Maso Toscana", past a group of houses, turn right and you'll be on the dirt road that, after a new junction with the SS421, will take you directly to loc. "Priori" (Tana dell'Ermellino). Once past the football field and the restaurant turn immediately left following a dirt road. In a few minutes you'll be back to the starting point.
Public transport
Gondola opening 15 June to 15 September.
Shuttle from Torbole and Riva del Garda.
Tuesday - Thursday - Saturday - Sunday (booking +39 0465 702626)
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Map 1:25000 APT Dolomiti Paganella -Dolomiti Paganella Bike-
www.paganellabikepark.com -Dolomiti Paganella Bike-
www.visitdolomitipaganella.it
www.paganelladolomitibooking.it
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Trail- XC
Helmet
Maps - GPS - Mobile Phone - K/Way - Tools kit & repair kit for tires
Water - Snack
Bring everything needed for a journey in self-sufficiency
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others