Lifestyle

Biking Made Beautiful in Trentino

From Lake Garda to the Dolomites, there's a great deal to explore on two wheels

Wanting to plan an incredible cycling adventure but you’re not sure where to start? Well, first of all, you need a destination and if you’re looking for somewhere that offers incredible scenery, multi-discipline exploration and, of course, delicious food, then Trentino should be at the top of your list.

Nestled in the northern parts of Italy, the province of Trentino is famed for its endless entanglement of road and mountain bike routes, including the Dolomites. Here, you’ll find everything you’ll need to make a memorable trip, from luxury bike-friendly accommodation to family fun rides in a culture-rich environment.

Whether winding roads are your calling or gnarly mountainous descents beckon your tyre tracks, Trentino has a great deal to offer.

Trentino by Road Bike

Smooth, undulating, winding roads and a killer gut-busting climb. Sound good to you? Trentino has them in the plenty and for years, they’ve welcomed pro riders and races to tackle their legendary climbs.

Believe it or not, there are 23 famous climbs in the Trentino area which are just waiting to be ticked off of your cycling to-do list. Some of these include climbs like the Passo Manghen which covers 1,857m of ascent over 23km which requires a good level of stamina and some pretty powerful legs. For more of a challenge, try tackling the Passo Pampeago which is a short 10.3km distance but with a steep 1,030m of ascent!

For more information on these legendary climbs, head over to the Visit Trentino website here and begin writing these onto your checklist.

If sweating it out on a road climb isn’t your idea of a holiday, no problem. Trentino has a vast 400km network of paved cycle paths which are suitable for all ages and abilities. They even have a handy cycle route tool here where you can find the perfect route for you and your family.

Trentino by Mountain Bike

From Lake to lake © Apt Dolomiti Paganella – A. Luise

If the call of the mountain is more to your tune, then fear not because Trentino is surrounded by alpine lines to keep your heart racing and adrenaline pumping.

If you’re a roadie looking to try something new, or if you’re a seasoned rider, the landscapes and trails cater to all abilities with full day rides across the vast mountain tops, to days shredding in the local bike park, there’s something for everyone who likes to get a little down and dirty.

There are a wealth of trails which are perfect for beginners to learn the basics on, which can be found here, and if you have the little ones in tow, then there are a number of family-friendly mountain bike trails as well, which you can find more information about here.

If you’re less of a pedaller and prefer the downhill gnarls then head to one of the eight bike parks in the Trentino area, including the famous UCI World Cup downhill track at Val di Sole.

With so many trail and bike park options available in the area, you won’t find yourself on the same line twice… unless you really wanted to!

For more information on Trentino’s mountain bike facilities and trails, head over to Visit Trentino’s website here.

The Sounds of the Dolomites

Giro in Val di Fassa 2016 © Ansa – C. Peri

Are you even a road cyclist if you’ve not heard of the Dolomites? While you may have heard of their gruelling race routes and how they attract the pros, there’s a whole lot more to the Dolomites which you may not be all that aware of.

The Sounds of the Dolomites is a high-altitude music and culture festival with this year’s theme being e-mountain bikes. So with a belly full of scrumptious food and music to pedal to, this festival will give you the opportunity to head out on some guided e-bike excursions around scenic forest roads.

There are a number of concerts dotted around the Dolomites with excursions and rides organised so you can reach them by bike, how cool is that?! More information on the Sounds of the Dolomites festival can be found here.

For more information on Trentino tourism and to begin planning your next cycling adventure, head over to the Visit Trentino website here.