recommended route
Tour del Monte Bondone
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The Castle of DrenaPhoto: Archivio APT Garda Trentino (ph. Vuilleumier), Garda Trentino
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.
Author’s recommendation
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.
Track types
Safety information
- 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.
Tips and hints
For more information on routes and bike services: rentals, workshops, shops and cycling friendly accommodation - APT Garda Trentino Tel. +39 0464 554444
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn 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 Sarche where, turning right, you will flank the fairy-like Lake Toblino. At the end of the lake go past 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.
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
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.
Getting there
Getting to northern lake Garda / Garda Trentino
Parking
Free parking in Riva del Garda at the old hospital (via Rosmini) and the old cemetery (Viale D. Chiesa).
Pay parking at the Public Gardens Porta Orientale, Roman Baths, Viale Lutti (Ex Agraria), Monte Oro, shopping center Blue Garden.
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
- Garda Trentino BIKE Map - On sale in information offices in Riva del Garda, Arco and Torbole
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
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?
- Bike helmet
- Bike gloves
- Bike glasses
- Waterproof/Windproof jacket
- Headlights and rearlights
- Reflecting suspenders
- Plenty of snacks (for example, dried fruit or energy bars)
- Water Bottle
- Bike repair kit (tire levers, mini bike pump, bike tube)
It is always advised to let someone know where you plan to go and how long you expect to be.
Emergency telephone number 112.
Statistics
- 9 Waypoints
- 9 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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