Lake Garda & the Adige River
Italy Bike Tours
Bike from Bolzano to Verona or end your tour at Lake Garda
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length7–8 days
- Prices from€705 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Mountain scenery, green landscapes, and gently flowing rivers; this beautiful bike tour in Italy offers you all this! From the Austrian border through the Italian South Tyrol, you will bike along quiet and beautiful routes, past peaceful villages, and picturesque little castles.
Lake Garda, with its exquisite crystal clear water, is the largest lake in Italy. Set against a backdrop of towering mountains, you will cycle and boat along its shores. Derived from the Germanic word warda, meaning "place of guard" it has been the site of many battles through the ages.
Highlights
- Bolzano and Verona
- Boat excursion on the breathtaking Lake Garda
- Adige River cycling
- Villages of Montemaria, Clusio, and Glorenza
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Itinerary
Two options are possible for this tour: an 8-day tour that finishes in Verona, and a 7-day tour that finishes at Lake Garda. You decide!
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your tour. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadwork, which cannot be foreseen in advance. In this case please follow the indications you will find on-site.
Day 1: Arrival in Bolzano
Day 2: Resiapass - Silandro, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Silandro - Merano, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Merano - Bolzano/surroundings, 22/25 mi. (35/40 km)
Day 5: Bolzano/surroundings - Trento, 41/44 mi. (65/70 km)
Day 6: Trento - Desenzano/Peschiera, + boat ride, 32 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Desenzano/Peschiera - Verona, 37/22 mi. (60/35 km)
Day 8: Departure from VeronaDay 1: Arrival in Bolzano
If you arrive early in the morning you can take a stroll around the old market town of Bolzano. Bolzano has a famous commercial and tourist center and also has a historical and cultural connection between the Italian and the German world.Day 2: Resiapass - Silandro, 31 mi. (50 km)
Enjoying the Italian countryside along the way, you will be transferred by vehicle to Resia up to 1500 meters in elevation, where you will start your bike tour. The majestic bike path will take you past the gorgeous lake. Passing through very small, unique villages including Montemaria, Clusio, and Glorenza, you will eventually end today's biking in Silandro.Day 3: Silandro - Merano, 25 mi. (40 km)
The bike tour continues through a gently rolling countryside along the Adige River, passing through orchards and nice landmarks like the imposing Dornsberg Castle. You bike to Merano, the second biggest city in South Tyrol, which lies in the center of a valley with stunning, endless mountains in the background.Day 4: Merano - Bolzano/surroundings, 22/25 mi. (35/40 km)
Today you will bike along tranquil country roads and bike paths as far as the Adige River and the Isarco confluence. As you ride, you will get to admire the biggest apple plantation in Europe or visit the apple museum in Lana. You continue to cycle until Bolzano. Take your time for a walk around this friendly and beautiful bilingual city, the capital of South Tyrol.Day 5: Bolzano/surroundings - Trento, 41/44 mi. (65/70 km)
Bike the Adige River, pass the apple orchards, vineyards, and through the villages of Ora, Egna, and Salorno. Salorno is best known for the ruins of the medieval castle Castello dei Litigi, situated on a limestone rock high above the Adige Valley, You end the day in Trento. This city is hidden from tourists, so take your time to have a look behind the splendid walls of its painted buildings. You will discover something really worth seeing.Day 6: Trento - Peschiera del Garda, 32 mi. (50 km) + ferry ride
Continuing along the Adige, you cycle on a gently rising slope west in the direction of Lake Garda. Upon arrival in Riva, you absolutely shouldn't miss the sight of the lake from above! After seeing the lake from above, you can enjoy the view from below on your boat cruise across the lake. Its scenery will really amaze you. The boat will take you all the way to Peschiera del Garda. The boat trip on Lake Garda alone will never be forgotten.Day 7: Desenzano/Peschiera - Verona, 37/22 mi. (60/35 km)
Today you head to Verona, one of the most important and beautiful cities of Italy.Day 8: Departure from Verona
Your bike holiday in Italy ends after breakfast, individual departure.Day 1: Arrival in Bolzano
Day 2: Resiapass - Silandro, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Silandro - Merano, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Merano - Bolzano/surroundings, 22/25 mi. (35/40 km)
Day 5: Bolzano/surroundings - Trento, 41/44 mi. (65/70 km)
Day 6: Trento – Lake Garda, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Departure from Lake GardaDay 1: Arrival in Bolzano
If you arrive early in the morning you can take a stroll around the old market town of Bolzano. Bolzano has a famous commercial and tourist centre and also has a historical and cultural connection between the Italian and the German world.Day 2: Resiapass - Silandro, 31 mi. (50 km)
Enjoying the Italian countryside along the way, you will be transferred by vehicle to Resia up to 1500 meters in elevation, where you will start your bike tour. The majestic bike path will take you past the gorgeous lake. Passing through very small, unique villages including Montemaria, Clusio, & Glorenza, you will eventually end today's biking in Silandro.Day 3: Silandro - Merano, 25 mi. (40 km)
The bike tour continues through the Adige River, passing through orchards and nice landmarks like the imposing Dornsberg Castle. You bike to Merano, the second biggest city in South Tyrol, which lies in the center of a valley with stunning, endless mountains in the background.Day 4: Merano - Bolzano/surroundings, 22/25 mi. (35/40 km)
Today you will bike along tranquil country roads and bike paths as far as the Adige River and the Isarco confluence. As you ride, you will get to admire the biggest apple plantation in Europe or visit the apple museum in Lana. You continue to cycle until Bolzano. Take your time for a walk around this friendly and beautiful bilingual city, capital of South Tyrol.Day 5: Bolzano/surroundings - Trento, 41/44 mi. (65/70 km)
Bike the Adige River by the apple orchards and vineyards and through the villages of Ora, Egna, and Salorno. Salorno is best known for the ruins of the medieval castle Castello dei Litigi, situated on a limestone rock high above the Adige Valley, You end the day in Trento. This city is hidden from tourists, so take your time to have a look behind the splendid walls of its painted buildings. You will discover something really worth seeing.Day 6: Trento – Lake Garda, 31 mi. (50 km)
The river Adige will take you to Rovereto, famous for its museum of modern and contemporary art. After a short ascent to Passo di San Giovanni, you will enjoy a superb view over Lake Garda, before starting your (well deserved) descent to the lakeshore.Day 7: Departure from Lake Garda
Your bike holiday in Italy ends after breakfast, individual departure.View all our featured bike trips, specials, and news along with 100s of other bike tours in Europe.
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
8-day: Very nice, comfortable 3 to 4-star hotels and a guesthouse in Silandro
7-day: 3-star hotels and a guesthouse in Silandro
All hotels with air conditioning and private facilities. Most hotels are within or very near to city center.Bicycles
![Unisex or men’s 24-speed touring bike]()
Unisex touring bike
A low entry unisex or men's frame, ideal for an upright but relaxed riding position.
- Aluminum frame
- Upright handlebar
- Comfort Selle Royale Saddle: Comfort Selle Royale
- Water bottle cage
- 27-speed (Shimano Deore)
- Flat pedal
- Mechanical V brakes
- Rear rack
- Mudguards
- 28-inch wheels
- Schwalbe anti-puncture tire
![Men's 7-speed touring bike]()
Men’s touring bike
An aluminum male frame, ideal for a relaxed riding position
- Aluminum sport frame
- Upright handlebar
- Touring gel saddle
- Water bottle cage
- 7-speed (Shimano Nexus)
- Flat pedal
- Backpedal brake
- Rear rack
- Mudguards
- 28-inch wheels
- Schwalbe anti-puncture tire
![Unisex electric bike]()
Unisex electric bike
A low entry unisex frame
- Upright handlebar
- 9-speed (Shimano Deore)
- Centrally located Bosch motor Active Line Plus (250Wh, engine torque 50 Nm)
- Bosch battery Power Pack (36V, range approx 90 km average speed on flat terrain)
- Ergonomic grip
- Selle Royal saddle
- Flat pedals
- Mechanical V-brakes
- Rear rack
- Mudguards
- 28-inch wheels
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus anti-puncture tires
![Front bike map holder]()
![Helmet]()
![Front bike map holder]()
![Front bike map holder]()
![Repair kit]()
![Child bike]()
![Croozer trailer]()
![Child seat]()
![Adult tandem]()
Accessories
Included accessories
- Mudguards
- Trip computer
- Ortlieb pannier (12L) - The innovative QL1fixation system is easy to handle and the bags attach to the rack with one click
- Front bike map holder with removable transparent hood or Kickfix water-resistant removable rigid handlebar bag with waterproof double-sided maps envelope
- Repair kit (one kit for every two bicycles) (1 pump, 1 tube, 2 Allen keys, tyre levers, patches and mastic sealant)
Supplemental accessories
Please see pricing.
- Helmet
- Brand: Limar
- Size: one size (55 - 61)
- Adjustable size system and cool pads
- Weight: 260 g
- 10 vents with bug net
- Certified CE (TÜV) and CPSC-USA
- Child bike
- Frames that fit children
- 20/24" wheels
- FollowMe Tandem
- Latch system locking child's bike onto tail of the adult bike
- Ages 4-7
- Child trailer
- Croozer with one seat
- Ages 1-4
- Maximum weight: 35 kg
- Child seat
- Ages 1 to 5
- Maximum weight: 22 kg
- Adult tandem bike
- Front saddle can seat a child 4-15 years old
- Upright handlebars
- Selle Royal saddle
- Water bottle cage
- 11-speed (Shimano Alfine)
- Flat pedals
- Mechanical V-brakes
- Mudguards
- 26-inch wheels
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus anti-puncture tires
- Family tandem bike (1 adult + 1 child 6-8 yrs)
Inclusions
What’s Included
- 6 or 7 nights hotel accommodations
- Welcome briefing
- Breakfast buffets
- Luggage transfer
- Route descriptions and maps
- Tour information packet
- 27-speed city touring bike with accessories
- Bike protection
- Transfer from Bolzano to Resia Pass
- 4-hour ferry cruise on Lake Garda (only for the 8-day tour)
- 6 or 7-day service hotline
What’s Not Included
- Remaining meals
- Bike helmet
- Local taxes approx. €10- €15
- Travel insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Wednesdays & Saturdays from April 21 to October 2, 2021
Sundays from June 27 to August 22, 2021* Special departure dates possible for at least 5 people.
Season 1: May 2 to May 21, & September 22 to October 2, 2021
Season 2: May 22 to June 25, & September 5 to September 21, 2021
Season 3: April 21 to May 1, & June 26 to September 4, 2021Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Season 1: May 2 to May 21, & September 22 to October 2, 2021
Season 2: May 22 to June 25, & September 5 to September 21, 2021
Season 3: April 21 to May 1, & June 26 to September 4, 20218-day
Season 1: $ 1314 £ 729 $ 1,260 € 795 $ 1381 kr 8241 $ 970 Season 2: $ 1446 £ 802 $ 1,387 € 875 $ 1520 kr 9070 $ 1,068 Season 3: $ 1512 £ 839 $ 1,451 € 915 $ 1590 kr 9485 $ 1,117
Single supplement: $ 397 £ 220 $ 380 € 240 $ 417 kr 2488 $ 293
7-day
Season 1: $ 1165 £ 647 $ 1,118 € 705 $ 1225 kr 7308 $ 860 Season 2: $ 1280 £ 711 $ 1,229 € 775 $ 1346 kr 8033 $ 946 Season 3: $ 1363 £ 757 $ 1,308 € 825 $ 1433 kr 8552 $ 1,007
Single supplement: $ 330 £ 183 $ 317 € 200 $ 347 kr 2073 $ 244
Extra Options
Electric bicycle rental: $ 182 £ 101 $ 174 € 110 $ 191 kr 1140 $ 134
Family and adult tandems: $ 140 £ 78 $ 135 € 85 $ 148 kr 881 $ 104
Child bike: $ 140 £ 78 $ 135 € 85 $ 148 kr 881 $ 104
Child trailer: $ 140 £ 78 $ 135 € 85 $ 148 kr 881 $ 104
Helmet rental (please reserve at time of booking): $ 25 £ 14 $ 24 € 15 $ 26 kr 155 $ 18
Child seat and FollowMe Tandems: Free of charge
Extra nights:
Bolzano Verona Mantova, 3-star Mantova, 4-star Lake Garda Twin/double $ 131 £ 72 $ 125 € 79 $ 137 kr 819 $ 96 $ 112 £ 62 $ 108 € 68 $ 118 kr 705 $ 83 $ 78 £ 43 $ 75 € 47 $ 82 kr 487 $ 57 $ 147 £ 82 $ 141 € 89 $ 155 kr 923 $ 109 On request Single $ 173 £ 96 $ 166 € 105 $ 182 kr 1088 $ 128 $ 147 £ 82 $ 141 € 89 $ 155 kr 923 $ 109 $ 131 £ 72 $ 125 € 79 $ 137 kr 819 $ 96 $ 216 £ 120 $ 208 € 131 $ 228 kr 1358 $ 160 On request Transfers incl. bikes
*Available on Saturdays - other days on request only:
Verona - Bolzano, 1-8 ppl. sharing costs: $ 496 £ 275 $ 476 € 300 $ 521 kr 3110 $ 366 Mantova - Bolzano, 1-8 ppl. sharing costs: $ 644 £ 358 $ 618 € 390 $ 678 kr 4043 $ 476
Discount in triple room for 3rd person, 8-day tour: €130
Discount in triple room for 3rd person, 7-day tour: €110Child discounts:
100% 0-2 years (baby cot to be paid on site)
50% 3-6 years
30% 7-10 yearsExtra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This bike trip in Italy is considered easy to moderate. It is not very demanding since it takes place on mainly flat roads. However, the total vertical distance is 830/1040 m. The South Tyrol region offers an excellent bike friendly system. You can ride almost exclusively on well maintained, asphalted bike paths, part of which run along the Adige River banks. Towards Lake Garda, there is a more challenging climb to face. Every cycling day (with the exception of day 7) can be shortened by taking a train.
Airport Info
Fly to Munich International Airport (MUC) and then with Air Dolomiti to Bolzano, or fly to Innsbruck, Verona, Venice, or Milan and take the train to Bolzano.
Local Travel
Train to Bolzano from Munich airport (4½ hr); from Innsbruck (2 hr); from Verona airport (1½ hr); or from Milan (3½ hr). The hotel is just a short distance away from Bolzano train station.
Climate
In Italy, there are different types of climate. In Bolzano, the climate is semi-continental, and around Lake Garda, a sub-Mediterranean climate. One thing that each area has in common is hot summers. Rain can be expected throughout the year, so it is advised you pack rain gear. Please check local conditions before your arrival. Below you will find monthly weather averages for the region.
Recommended
Extra night in Verona/Lake Garda after the tour.
Remarks
Electric bicycle available for this tour.
It may also be possible to combine this tour with the bike & boat tour Mantova to Venice.Important to know
Documents
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's travel requirements. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure proper documentation.
*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Extra Stay
Extra nights available in Bolzano, Verona, Mantova and Lake Garda. See pricing.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Girolibero.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
Photos
![Biking Lake Garda, Italy. Photo via Flickr:amira_a]()
![Frescos in Mantova, Lombardy, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Pedro]()
![Windsurfers on Lake Garda, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Andrea Santoni]()
![Castle Maretsch among vineyards in Bolzano, Italy. Photo from Wikimedia Commons:Alex1011]()
![Facades in Peschiera del Garda, Verona, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Dan Kamminga]()
![Ponte Pietra in Verona, Italy. Photo via Wikimedia Commons:Fabio Becchelli]()
![Near Riva del Garda in region Trentino Alto Adige, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Waldemar Merger]()
![<i>Portoni della Bra</i> in Verona, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Didier Descouens]()
![Most Italian Chardonnay comes from Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige region. Photo via Wikimedia Commons:myhobosoul]()
![Bike rest in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Aleksandr Zykov]()
![Palazzo Geremia from the 15th century in Trento, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Eric Huybrechts]()
![Mountains and valleys in Silandro (Schlanders in German), South Tyrol, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Arnold Unterholzner]()
![Peschiera del Garda in Verona, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Dan Kamminga]()
![Chair lift over Merano, South Tyrol, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Leo-seta]()
![Riva del Garda on the Lake in Trentino Alto Adige, Italy. Photo via Wikimedia Commons:High Contrast]()
![Lakeside resort of Riva del Garda, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Alex]()
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