Route description
You can start your tour to the San Giovanni al Monte directly from the parking lot in the village Arco. Firstly follow the Via Segantini road until reaching the main square of Arco. Head to the right from there on to the Viale Magnolie and cycle this road straight ahead for a while. You will then get to Varignaro over the Via Capitelli – you can orientate yourself with the street signs on the roadside in this area. A steep ascent is to follow behind the village up to the Padaro Basin.
A little more even but continuously upwards is the profile of the next part of the trip to Mandrèa. Your reward for this constant climbing is the magnificent view you can enjoy whilst biking up the Valle dei Laghi. After another chunk of the way you will reach the first farmhouses of San Giovanni and a cute little church where it is worth it to rest and take a look around. Alternatively you may cycle a little further to the next cultivated cottage to take a break here.
To follow is the street upwards in the direction of the Prai da Gom-Gorghi that starts to merge into a gravel path. Head further to the left to get to Marcarie, a village directly by the foot of the mountain of the Monte Biaina. Pass the village and keep following the signs towards Gorghi.
From Gorghi the tour continues through a dense forest. After a short bit get onto a forest path to your left and keep on cycling towards Bondiga. Meanwhile, you will pass the villages San Pietro and Treni and stay left on the again rising trail. You will see more farmhouses and reach an asphalted descent – ideal to relax your muscles downhill. That will take you to the villages Calvola and Canale.
While staying on the road a little longer you will meet the SS421 to your left – cycle further in the direction of Tenno from here. Eventually you will reach a bend that will get you to Volta di Nò. To get back to Varignano you simply have to follow the trail through the beautiful olive groves. Take the same way you took at the beginning to get back to Arco and you will eventually reach the parking area, hence the starting point of the tour.
Where to eat
You can get plenty of food in Arco, either before or after the tour. Whilst on the road you will pass the cultivated cottage at San Giovanni where it also possible to grab a little something to eat.
Interesting facts
- With an overall length of 30 km the bike trail is among the 3 longest bike Trails in Italy available on TouriSpo.
- You're facing an uphill climb of 1607 vertical meters on this bike trail. This makes the Bike Trail the one with the largest ascent in Italy. The high point of the bike trail is located at an elevation of 1,151 m.
- There are places to buy beverages and food along the track. However it’s always recommended to bring enough water and food along with you.
Highlights of the tour
This biking tour will lead your way to some of the nicest parts of the Trentino and astonishes with its natural charm.
Getting here
By car
You can easily reach the starting point of the tour in Arco by car. Take the SS45 or alternatively the SS240 to the town – there are many parking slots available at the parking area in Arco.
