Cycling around Lake Garda: Garda by Bike is partly open

Is it in our blood or is it a hobby that got out of hand? I mean: with about 17 million people placing their derriere on a steel steed every day, you can still speak of something special. Cultural heritage, dare I say. Yet cycling is not only an important way of getting around in the Low Countries. Also in Italy people are making good progress on the (bicycle) road. For example, around the famous Lake Garda.

Itinerary Garda by Bike

The uninterrupted cycle route around Lake Garda that bears the name Garda by Bike is expected to open in 2025. That should have been much earlier, but corona, the financial situation of the governments and other obstacles have thrown a spanner in the works.

No worries! You can still do a round of Lake Garda by following the cycle paths that have already been completed and do the rest via the existing roads around the lake.

Have you inflated the tires of your hybrid, MTB or e-bike yet? In this blog we tell you everything you need to know before you jump on the pedals. 

hop on the back of my bike

Italy is diligently on its way to dethrone the Netherlands as a cycling country. In recent years, the Italians are rapidly building new bicycle paths (they came to see us by the way).

Remarkable: in Italy these cycle paths are mainly built on routes where there were once railways or narrow motorways. Very efficient. Still, not all of Italy is equipped with smooth bicycle paths, but cycling on the highway is (almost) no longer there.

The newest apple of this eye sustainable mobility becomes Garda by Bike. A 140 km long cycle path that allows you to pass the whole of Lake Garda by bike or on foot. Indeed, that's quite a piece.

The cycle path is constructed by connecting existing parts and constructing new parts. That sounds simpler than it is. That is probably also the reason that it is not yet ready.

Despite the fact that the cycle path is mostly flat, there are quite a few obstacles to overcome on the way to the finish line.

The originally planned opening was supposed to take place in 2017, but due to setbacks in the wallets of the project developers, this was postponed time and again.

Scenic Maneuvering

We all take a delay of this caliber for granted when you hear (and see) how insane this cycle path is getting. Terms such as 'the most beautiful bicycle path in Europe' are no exception and are frequently used.

We understand why. One of the most beautiful parts of the route was opened in 2018. Between Limone sul Garda and Capo Reamol, the lake shore is rocky and jagged. A suspended bike path has been created here using a clever suspended construction, which now forms one of the most beautiful parts of the entire Garda by Bike route.

You cycle or walk in this area along the shores of Lake Garda and the cycle path is really picturesque here. Don't let the word whimsical put you off. The bike path runs right along the cliffs, high above the clear blue waters of the lake. 

Floating along Lake Garda

The Garda by Bike cycle path gives you the real feeling of gliding over the water in many places. In addition, many parts of the cycle path are located in and around the galleries and tunnels of the old gardesanaroad that runs along Lake Garda.

On other parts you cycle directly over the rocks along the lake, but there are not many differences in height in the route. Because the 140-kilometre route is set up for recreational traffic, the cycle path is largely flat.

There are a few not significant 'climbs', but the term climb is even too much for that. If you do get exhausted, because that is all too well with 140 kilometers ahead, the beautiful towns around Lake Garda are never far away.

You can always stop for a cappuccino with an ice cream or a tour through the village. In fact: that must. After all, you are in Italy.

Take the space

Another nice side effect of the new cycle path is the space. You don't have to be afraid of being knocked off your feet on the trail. Although of course you always have to be careful. Still, annoying cyclists gasping in your neck because they don't have a bicycle bell will be a thing of the past.

They can even pass silently. The bike path is wide enough for traffic in both directions.

Small disclaimer: are you an experienced cyclist and do you race the 140 kilometers in a few hours? That kite won't fly. The path is also intended for walkers, so that the maximum speed for cyclists is limited to about 10 km per hour.

It is, of course, a panoramic route, not a practice circuit for the Giro. On the other hand, the new part of the course will soon consist almost entirely of wooden planks.

So you don't need any special fancy own or purchase a bicycle to cycle this route. Can you use those costs again for a few ice creams. 

Tip: technical information about the construction of the new cycle paths can be found at Street & Highway (In italian).

Just cycle through

Do you cycle 140 kilometers with your eyes closed and two fingers in your nose? Then that's good. The Garda by Bike route connects to two well-known, longer cycling routes that run through Italy.

Including the famous EuroVelo 7 Sun route. This route goes from Malta to, yes, the very tip of the North Cape (!) and is no less than 7.000 kilometers long.

The other route to which the showpiece of Lake Garda connects is the EuroVelo 8 Mediterranean route. This runs from Cadiz in Spain to Izmir in Turkey and is 7.500 kilometers.

If your bucket list running low or telling your Strava app that you still have a few miles to go: you can still pedal!

Link Tip: look at the Strava Heatmap of cycling routes in Europe and you immediately see where cycling is most popular!

Italy, cycling country? Just a little patience…

That's not all. As mentioned before, the Italian communities in many places in Italy have invested heavily in bicycle paths and routes in recent years (but in Rome there are still holes in the roads).

So you have the Valsugana cycle route at the Caldonazzo Lake. This 80 kilometer long panoramic cycling route takes you along the most beautiful points around the lake.

Is that too much of a good thing for you? Then there is a beautiful cycling route along the Ligurian coast, the Pista Ciclabile del Ponente Ligure. This route, between Ospedaletti and San Lorenzo al Mare, is 'only' 24 kilometers and built on the old railway that once lay there.

But that's not all. We already said it: Italy is well on its way to dethroning the Netherlands as a cycling country. But before that happens… finish Garda by Bike first.

As soon as a final date for the grand opening known, we will of course let you know.

Already cycling around Lake Garda? View the complete route including the sights along the way (clockwise), download the map in PDF and the GPX files for your navigation: gardatrentino.it.

Are you also looking for a beautiful campsite on Lake Garda?