Lake Garda

Each day, there are three daily rides to choose from, scaled for pace, distance, and level of climbing. You can feel free to change your ride level from day to day. However, we encourage you to know your abilities and think about how you ride at home when selecting a daily ride. Selecting a ride most suited to your abilities will make for a happier cycling holiday.

Classic ride: 

The Classic ride is for experienced cyclists who ride at a moderate pace and are comfortable in various terrain, including longer hill climbs, riding in a group, and who are confident in traffic (though the routes take place mainly on quiet roads, cyclists do sometimes encounter some busier city and village streets).

The Classic ride will generally take the group on 50-60 km (30-40 miles) rides with hills that might extend for 3 - 4 km (1.5-2.5 miles) with undulating terrain. 

Cyclists should expect to be on the bike between 3 to 5 hours, including stops

• Distance: max 50-70 km / 30-40 mi
• Elevation per Tour: 200-500 m
• Climb length: 5-6 km / 3-4 mi
• Max. grade climbs: max 5-6%
• Average speed on flat: 20-25 km/h / 12-15 mi/h

Enthusiastic ride:

The Enthusiastic ride adds just a little more riding challenge to the Classic Ride. The Enthusiasts will still ride the same roads as the classic ride, and see the same beautiful scenery, but they will get a few more opportunities to test out their cycling abilities on some longer and/or steeper climbs, ride at a faster pace, and take on a few longer loops to add more km/miles to their route. This is the most requested ride level.

• Distance: max 80-100 km / 50-60 mi
• Elevation per Tour: 800-1500 m
• Climb length: max 10 km /  6 mi
• Max. grade climbs: max 10/12 %
• Average speed on flat: 25-30 km/h / 15-18 mi/h

Epic ride:

The Epic ride is meant for the most serious riders. This group tackles the longest, toughest routes, with distances ranging from 90-130 km, and typically at a pace of around 25-35 kph, depending upon terrain.

• Distance: 55 - 80 mi./90 - 130 km
• Elevation per Tour: 1000-2200 m 
• Climb length: max 15 km / 9 mi
• Max. grade climbs: max 15 %
• Average speed on flat: 25-35 km/h / 15-21 mi/h

Sample of a touring day for each group:

• 7:30 - 8:00: A hearty breakfast to start your day, with delicious choices and variety to please everyone – from salami to a chocolate fountain, and everything in between!
• 8:30 - 9:00: Final bike preparation and ride briefing. Don’t forget to grab a sandwich and banana for your pocket!
• 9:00: Ride departure along the ride 2 or 3 coffee/gelato stops, and of course, several photo opportunities.
• Coffee Break before the start of the main climbs of the areas, meeting point at the top of each climb to regroup, and prepare for the descent
• Ride into Verona, and start with a short climb to a fortress overlooking the city; ride through the cobbled streets, and view the famous piazzas, churches, & statues in the city; photo opportunities in front of the Arena, and gelato stop in the famous Piazza Bra; ride along the Adige River; Verona to Peschiera: Fun race of 35 km. The first to arrive buys the beer for the group!
• 14:00 - 15:00: Return, tired, but definitely exhilarated, to the hotel.
• 15:00 - 17.00: Post-ride buffet, to rejuvenate and start to relive the ride with your new best friends.
• 16:00 - 19:00: Relax by the pool, sightsee around beautiful Lake Garda, or take a drive to Verona.
• 19:00 - 21:00: 3-course dinner, al fresco as weather permits. Check the ride board - get excited for tomorrow’s adventure!

NOTE: During peak cycling season (May, June, July, & September), there are always three ride levels possible. During quieter periods, there may only be 1 or 2 riding options. We'll still do our very best to accommodate all riding levels. Leisurely cyclists might consider the Dolce Vita Program. See below!

This program is meant for cyclists more interested in "slow travel". Each day, choose between two ride variations with a short and a long option. Totally guided and with van support, you can cycle as much or as little as you want! Your local English-speaking guide is knowledgeable about the history and culture of the area. 

One of the best aspects of this program is gastronomy! You'll enjoy local, artisanal food & wine. You’ll cycle to authentic farms, vineyards, & kitchens, as well as visit ancient villages. You'll also visit a winery, a cheesemaker, and a tortellini kitchen, and you'll have no trouble finding gelato in any of the numerous gelaterias you'll pass. 

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival to Garda Bike Hotel
You will be greeted at the hotel and have a welcome briefing to start. Once you are settled in and after the bike fitting, including information on how to use your rental bike, the group will take a walking tour of the old city of Peschiera. You'll visit the Venetian walls, ending with an aperitivo in the charming village, before the short walk back to the hotel.

Day 2: Verona City, 13 mi. or 40 mi. (20km or 65km), elevation gain 300m
You'll be transferred a short way to Piovezzano to start riding on a bike path along the canal until the Chievo Dam. You'll then arrive at the cobblestoned streets of the charming and romantic town of Verona. A delicious lunch awaits in front of the Arena di Verona at Pizzeria Olivo. Once you've renewed your strength, you continue pedaling on the bike path to Bussolengo. A transfer will bring you back to the hotel. Upon request, the longer route of 40 miles will leave directly from the hotel to Verona, using the same itinerary as above, and will return through the suburbs of Verona.

Day 3: Colline Moreniche, 13 mi. or 40 mi. (20km or 65km), elevation gain 400m
Today you will visit Borghetto and Valeggio, lovely, quaint ancient towns that you'll reach on quiet, secondary roads. After visiting the little village of Borghetto, you'll conquer a short and easy climb bringing you to Valeggio, where Ristorante La Borsa serves the typical meal of the area: Tortellini e tortelli di Valeggio. You won't soon forget this delicious lunch! Those wanting the shorter option will be returned to the hotel in the van after this meal. 

Day 4: Sirmione, 19 mi. or 31 mi. (30km or 50km), flat
The first 18 miles will be on the south side of Lake Garda. You'll eventually arrive in Sirmione, a small medieval town famous for the Scaligero castle. After visiting this special town, a private boat will take you to Punta San Vigilio. This unique location on the east bank of the lake is where, almost 75 years ago, Sir W. Churchill would spend his time painting. You'll enjoy lunch at the harbor, and after you’ll have a short bike ride back to the village of Garda, where the van awaits. Before the ride begins, we suggest leaving a bag with comfortable shoes in the van, for the boat ride and the restaurant.

Day 5: Rest day
There are two options for your rest day today, dependent on the weather.

Option 1:
In good weather, you will take the van to Spiazzi which sits at 850 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, you will walk from the center of town to the uniquely situated church of Madonna della Corona. This church is a feat of engineering, as it is suspended from the rocks above the Adige valley. The view here is stunning, looking into the valley and the mountains of Lessinia. After visiting the church, you’ll walk back to Spiazzi and continue to Agriturismo Pavoni, a local cheese and salami maker. Pavoni will provide you with a true farm-to-table lunch, along with a good “fiasco” of local rosè.

Option 2:
While hoping for the best, we also have to plan for the worst. In case of bad weather, the van will transport you to Mantova. The tour starts with a visit to the spectacular museum of Palazzo Te and continues into the heart of the city, Piazza Sordello, just in time to taste the typical cuisine of the area.

Day 6: Valpolicella wine area, 31 mi. (50 km), elevation gain 500m
The van takes you to Fumane and once there, you'll begin a beautiful climb (3 mi.) in the Valpolicella region. You'll pedal straight through the heart of the vineyards that produce this world-famous wine. The rustic nature of the area is your backdrop and beautiful views of the lake accompany you as you ride. You'll eat lunch at the Restaurant “I torcoli”.

Day 7: Strada della Forra – Tremosine, (35 km or 50 km), elevation gain 500m
One of the most beautiful roads in the world awaits! You might recognize this scenery from the opening scenes of the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace. This road offers a unique view of Lake Garda facing Monte Baldo and Malcesine. The van will take you from the hotel to Malcesine, from where you'll board a ferry across the lake to the charming village of Limone. From Limone, you will cycle to Tremosine. Then, you'll continue on the bike path that connects Limone to Capo Reamol. This section is truly special, as the bike path is suspended over the lake, offering some of the best views of this cycling tour! You'll return to Limone on the bike, where you'll have lunch at Monte Baldo. Your meal will most definitely include the flavors and fragrances of local lemons. The ferry will bring you back to Malcesine.

Those opting for the longer ride will skip the initial ferry and cycle the whole way. 

Day 8: Check-out
Your guided bike tour in Lake Garda comes to an end!