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Hey!
Just booked a family holiday for a couple of weeks in an apartment near Cavaion Veronese, a little way from the eastern shore of Lake Garda.
I've outline permission to hire a bike for a few days from the missus but realistically, although I might swing an afternoon by my self to do a guided route, I'm more likely to be only able to score a couple of hours in the morning while the girls get ready.
I could rent a road bike instead if the mtb stuff is more of a day long mission
So any help appreciated.....
Is there likely to be access "on the doorstep" to some of the mtb stuff or will it involve driving somewhere?
Any pointers on routes?
Any shops you recommend for rental?
Any pointers for a guided ride for an afternoon?
Thanks in advance!!
All the good MTB stuff departs from Torbole at the North end of the lake. Loads of van/trailer uplifts leaving at all times of day. Most will do 2 or 3 runs a day, so you could do morning or evening easily.
[url= https://bikemagic.com/mountain-bike-trails/mtb-travel-guide-lake-garda-italy.html ]This article[/url] has some useful contact details in it. I know Michael who's mentioned in there and do know that he's out in Garda guiding again this year. He's got access to some high-end bikes for demo and rental.
Possibly best option to get to Torbole without car would be to catch a ferry.
Christ.
When you get there, look up. You'll find a bazillion mountain roads used by roadies, pop over to Como and head up the Ghisallo for the Lombardia feeling.
Or head to Strava and seek out Giro routes around Garda or Tour of Lombardia.
I was with the family at lake garda last year. I was hoping to do a ride with these people.
http://www.xtrememalcesine.com/en/bike-trail-malcesine-lake-garda-monte-baldo/
Unfortunately with the family there was so much to do I didn't get the time. Loved the place though and will definitely go back.
As mentioned above, I'd drop http://www.rebbens.info – Michael Cycle a note. Spend a couple of days guiding with him two years ago, on a hired Liteville that he'd arranged for me.
Generally we were around the northern and north eastern side - uplift each morning and then made way back to the lake with stunning views above Limone and Torbole. 2 of the best days I have had on a bike.
Oh....and a mandatory beer in Riva at the end of each day!
Michael +1. Some of the best riding I have ever experienced on some of the nicest bikes I will never be able to afford. We went with him 3 years in a row as the experience was so good.
Love, love love lake Garda.
If you plan to swim in the lake I'd suggest you take some aqua socks or similar as the stones are super sharp.
Don't mind the water snakes, they don't bike but make you jump if you see one at eye level.
Great cycling and great food. You'll love it.
When you get there, look up. You'll find a bazillion mountain roads used by roadies, pop over to Como and head up the Ghisallo for the Lombardia feeling.
Lago di Como may not appear far away on a map, but it isn't just around the corner....
Bikes can be hired in Torbole. If you've only got a day to spare best book yourself in with a tour. Can't remember the names of the companies as we used to have our own driver. A quick google should see you in the right direction.
However, Cavaion Veronese is a long way from Torbole. Realistically an hours drive.
Not sure, but you may find a hire shop in Garda, but it tends to be a more loungy, aperol spritz affair when the GF and I holiday that far south on the Lake.
Don't worry there is loads of riding around that area. It may not be the high mountain stuff of the north part of the lake but there are plenty of way marked trails that take you into the hills directly overlooking the lake around Garda and Bardolino. If you want to go on a road bike tour then I can recommend doing the Monte Baldo tour which starts in the valley where the Autostrada runs and take a road in Avio into the mountains. You end up Caprino Verenese just next to where you are staying. As for bike hire there are a few bike shops in the area but possibly your best bet is the bike shop in Lazise if you want something decent. They also run a bus shuttle service for mtbers to the lift station on Monte Baldo in Prada AFAIK but I've never used it as I prefer to ride the 1500m up the mountain myself. 🙂
I used this shop in riva del Garda
http://www.gardabikeshop.com/en/
They do a good selection of guided tours, some just a few hours in the am or pm rather than full days. Think I was out 3-4 hours on a half day ride. Guide was great, there was me and two other random lads on the ride, think they take up to 6 at a time.
Love lake Garda, would and do recommend it to everyone and would go back in a flash.
If you take the cable car from Malcesine (they run bike + rider only cars at various times per day) there are shed loads of trails at the top, running towards and away from the lake. I saw guys that were just doing shuttle runs straight back down to the cable car, then back up again.
+1 on vicious stones!
You can tell the ones on their first day. They do this rather elegant walk along to the waters edge 🙂
Next day they'll sacrifice a pair of trainers of get ripped off by one of the small shops selling rubber booties for 20 euros.