Cycling holidays around Lake Garda
Biking trips at Lake Garda
Our cycling holidays around Lake Garda offer a variety of opportunities not only to get to know Italy's largest lake, but also the beautiful surrounding countryside in Trentino, Lombardy and Veneto. On our radial tour you will be spoiled with first-class 4-star hotel comfort directly on the lake. You cycle on wonderful, slightly hilly cycle routes to the impressive amphitheatre in Verona, to the cathedral square in Trento and to the ancient forum in Brescia and get a taste of unmistakable Italian flair on the Piazza Sordello in Mantua. Our round tour leads partly directly along the lakeshore, partly on the Adige cycle path through olive groves and orchards into the fertile valleys of the hinterland, to lesser-known lakes such as the wonderful Lake Ledro and the refreshing Lake Idro. Our Lake Garda bike tours are a feast for the senses, because the routes offer many wonderful views of the glittering lake and leave nothing to be desired when it comes to culinary delights. Italy's most famous wines such as Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Bardolino are grown here and the best olive oil, aromatic citrus fruits and fresh freshwater fish provide the ingredients for the delicious local cuisine.
Cycling with a view of the lake
Cycle around, along and beside Italy's largest lake on a slightly hilly route with a few longer climbs. Cycle paths, lakeside paths and smaller, low-traffic side roads, sometimes with a little more car traffic when entering or leaving the city, take you to the most beautiful places around Lake Garda and into the hinterland during your cycle tour.
Piazzas and palaces
There are many pretty places around the deep blue, seemingly endless Lake Garda. One example is Riva del Garda with its 30 metre high clock tower, the Torre Aponale, up which 160 steps lead. The reward is an unrivalled view over the pretty old town and the glistening lake. The castle complex of La Rocca is located directly on Garda's harbour. From the lake, you can also explore the three regions of Trentino, Lombardy and Veneto. In Verona, the magnificent Arena di Verona amphitheatre and the balcony of Juliet and Romeo will entice you out of the saddle. In Trento, you cycle directly to the cathedral square, Piazza Duomo, with the cathedral of San Vigilio in the Lombard-Romanesque style, where the Castello del Buonconsiglio with its late medieval fresco cycles is also worth seeing. In Brescia there is an archaeological park from Roman times with the Capitol, ancient theatre and Roman basilica, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mantua is another of these beautiful cities that you will reach on your cycle tour. It is famous for its Renaissance ducal palace, which was built by the Gonzaga dynasty. Stroll through Piazza Sordello with the cathedral and Doge's Palace, the heart of Mantua's historic centre.
Wine festivals
Festivals are held all year round around Lake Garda. The wine festivals in particular are not to be missed. The Festa dell'Uva e del Vino in Bardolino has become a festival with cult status. The two most important grape varieties, Bardolino Classico and Bardolino Chiaretto, are celebrated along the seafront promenade. Taste the wines at the stands and listen to the many concerts on the open-air stages. In nearby Verona, the festival takes place in the Arena throughout the summer. Operas and concerts are performed there, creating a special atmosphere in one of the largest amphitheatres in the world.
Culinary delights
Around Lake Garda, Lake Ledro and Lake Idro, it's all about fish: try bigoli con le sarde del Garda. Sarde, anchovies, are of course not found in Lake Garda, but finte, a type of anchovy that also belongs to the herring family. Bigoli are traditionally made egg pasta. Another very tasty dish is risotto con la tinca, Garda bacon with risotto. Lake Garda trout (carpione) is another delicious fish that is often served. Courgette flowers stuffed with goat's cheese? Dumplings filled with pumpkin cream? Or would you prefer guinea fowl breast stuffed with chestnuts and served with pomegranate sauce? Gourmets are guaranteed to find what they are looking for here! Magnificent olive trees grow around the lake, producing the best extra virgin D.O.P. olive oil (olive oil with a protected designation of origin). Wines such as Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Lugana or Bardolino, the most famous wine from Lake Garda, which is grown on the south-east shore, go well with the excellent dishes. Buon appetito!
Mountains and lakes
At around 370 square kilometres, Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. Around the lake and in the hinterland, you will discover olive groves, mixed Mediterranean forests, fruit plantations, lemon trees and fertile valleys, as well as smaller lakes such as Lake Ledro and Lake Idro. The Lake Garda mountains consist of limestone cliffs and are up to 2,254 metres high. Monte Cadria is their highest peak. Rushing waterfalls and parks with exotic plants, turtles, rose avenues, water and herb gardens are just some of the other natural spectacles that will delight you.
