Bike tour around Lake Garda

Welcome to Northern Italy! Your bike tour around Lake Garda starts on the south-western shore of Italy's largest lake. After your accommodation, take a walk to the old harbour of Desenzano and visit the remains of the 11th century castle. The town of Sirmione lies on a peninsula jutting into Lake Garda. Here, too, a castle is particularly worth seeing, the Castello Scaligero. You will spend the night in Desenzano or in Sirmione.

Along the lakeshore and through the rolling hills of the Lugana wine-growing area (you should definitely try the white wine!) you reach the historic fortress complex of Peschiera. At first you continue cycling along the lake, after a few kilometres some sections in the hinterland. Through apple orchards and past the vineyards of Bardolino, your destination for the day is Garda. The town gave its name to Lake Garda and impresses with historic churches, buildings and squares.

Treat yourself to a cappuccino on Garda's beautiful lakeside promenade before leaving the town in the direction of the Adige Valley. Accompanied by olive groves and vineyards, you follow the Adige cycle path for quite a while. Not far from the village of Mori you leave the Adige and cycle over the Passo San Giovanni, a mountain pass, to Torbole or Riva. You have reached the northern shore of Lake Garda. Do you still have energy for a few metres of ascent? Visit the ruins of Castel Penede above Torboles. Enjoy a regional wine and the view of Lake Garda at the end of the stage on the piazza in Riva next to the slightly leaning Torre Apponale - the tower is the town's landmark.

Today your suitcases will be left behind and you will take an excursion into the valley of the Sarca River on your bike tour around Lake Garda. It is the main tributary of Lake Garda. You follow it into the valley, with a view of the surrounding Garda mountains, as far as Pietramurata. Relax and follow the river back to Lake Garda. On the way, pay a visit to the fortress of Arco. Situated on a prominent rocky hill, today's ruins can be reached via a path lined by olive groves. After enjoying the view, head back to Lake Garda.

In the morning, a transfer takes you to Lake Ledro. From the small mountain lake you cycle towards Lake Idro. The picturesque alpine lake will accompany you for a while, during which you can enjoy the magnificent view of the green mountain slopes. On the cycle path through the Val Sabbia, the descent is almost imperceptible. The small town of Salò is your destination for the day. Stroll through the winding alleys and along the lakeside promenade while enjoying a delicious ice cream. Perfetto!

This section runs through the hilly hinterland dotted with small towns. With Desenzano you reach Lake Garda. Enjoy a dip in the cool water at one of the beaches and rent a pedal boat at the harbour to get to know the lake from a different perspective. In Sirmione, a detour to the Grotte di Catullo is worthwhile. The ruins of a Roman villa from the 1st century will make the heart of anyone interested in history and archaeology beat faster. On the last evening of your bike tour around Lake Garda, toast with one of the wines from the surrounding vineyards.

After breakfast your bike tour around Lake Garda already comes to an end. We are happy to extend your stay in Desenzano or in Sirmione with an extra night.