BIKE TOURING THE TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE REGION ITALY

Trentino-Alto Adige region is all about riding in the Dolomite mountains and the Alps, there are also plenty of bike paths down in the valley. 

BIKE TOURING ROUTES IN THE TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE REGION

BOLZANO PROVINCE

• Bike Touring Bolzano to Trento Bike Path
• Bike Touring Bolzano to Chiusa Bike Path
• Bike Touring Adige Valley - Merano to Bolzano
• Bike Touring Val Venosta from Merano
• The 4 Passes of the Italian Dolomites Bike Tour
• Lower Atesina Region of Bolzano Province Bike Route
• Bolzano to Trentino Bike Path

TRENTO PROVINCE

• Bike Touring Trento to Riva del Garda
• Brenta Mountain Group Bike Tour to Bolzano
• Passo Menghen from Borgo Valsugana Bike Climb

Bike Paths in the Trentino Alto Adige

There are several bike paths and routes in valleys of the mountains.  These are good to utilize to get from one climb to another during heavy traffic hours or to avoid some of the tunnels on the main roads.

CLASSIC BIKE CLIMBS IN THE TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE

val di sole bike path

The Val di Sole bike path is 35 km long and runs alongside the “Fiume Noce” river for almost its entire length, following the old migration paths and roads.  The bike path has an elevation gain that starts at 595 meters at Mostizzolo reaches an altitude of 1160 meters at the town of Cogolo in Val di Peio.

GETTING THERE:

TRAIN AND BIKE

From Trento you can take the Marilleva Train.  Just to the right of the main Trento train station is another smaller station that you can grab a train up to the start point of the Val di Sole bike path. 

You can catch the BICI BUS (BIKE- BUS), which  transports 30 bicycles. The runs of BICIBUS are Marilleva 900-Cogolo di Peio on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, dep. from Marilleva 900 train station at 10.00 a.m., 1.00p.m., 3.00p.m., 4.30 p.m., 6.00 p.m.

The ticket for one whole day (valid on all runs) for you and your bike: 4,00 €
Suggest you to buy the ticket before getting on the bus; you can buy it at the Tourist Boards in Malè or in Mezzana.

ROUTE NOTES:

The route has changes in altitude which from 595 metres at Mostizzolo up to 1160 metres at Cogolo, in Val di Pejo, which is the northerly branch of the upper Val di Sole. Over the route you face some steep, but short, climbs. The first stretch, in spite of it's lower altitude, crosses a landscape with more markedly Alpine features with fir tree wood.

As you proceed the wood gives way to orchards and open fields until reaching Malè, main town of the Val di Sole. Along this stretch of the cycle path, which is protected from vehicle traffic, you will arrive to the small town of Ponte Stori, a great place for a quick stop. Once you reach the area near Cavizzana, there is the first steep climb along the public road which leads to the village. But, before getting there, we descend towards Noce, crossing vast orchards, overlooked by the solid, dominating structure of Caldes Castle on the other side of the valley. After seven kilometres we find Contre, a locality with sporting and recreational facilities. Still continuing along the Noce right-hand bank, we shortly reach the confluence with the Rabbies river stream which comes down the Valle di Rabbi and flows into the Noce a kilometre downstream of Malè. Staying alongside the stream, under the main road's viaduct, we pass Malè which is on a flat plain higher up. The cycle path doesn't go through the town, which is nonetheless worth visiting to admire some of its distinctive buildings and to see the Museo della civiltà solandra (the Val di Sole culture museum) and the offices of the Stelvio National Park.

The cycle route continues across the large, grassy plain which goes to the village of Dimaro at the entrance of the Val Meledrio, where the road to Madonna di Campiglio branches off. Dimaro is crossed away from the cycle path, which picks up again along the river Noce, first on the right and then on the left bank, as far as the village of Daolasa. For about one and a half kilometres we follow the main road's footpath until we reach the village of Piano, then we return to the River, passing in front of Mezzana, by the canoeing slalom Stadium, until we reach the sports Centre.

We now continue quietly along country roads, passing through woods and fields to the village of Pellizzano, which we go through. Still on country roads we approach Ossana and its Castle which is clearly visible from afar. Over a short section near the campsite we go up the river Vermigliana and cross the bridge which leads to Fucine, crossroads of the Valle di Sole and the Valle di Pejo. We have now reached 985 metres above sea level. After Fucine we continue in a north-westerly direction, skirting an industriaI warehouse, then we start the climb towards Cogolo. The valley is now narrower and we have to cross the Noce three times, the second over the road bridge leading to the village of Comasine, contending with a short, but steep, climb. Continuing to climb we finally see Cogolo, which we reach negotiating a bridge which takes us, via the main road, right to the entrance of the village.

PASSO MENGHEN FROM BORGO VALSUGANA BIKE CLIMB | TRENTO PROVINCE

Passo Menghen is one of the many classic bike routes you should ride if you are visiting Italy. Passo Menghen is located in the Lagorai Group of the Dolomite Mountain, in the Trento-Alto Adige region. The pass connects the valley of Valsugana with the Fiemme valley, and links the two towns of Castelnuovo and Molina. Sitting at 2047 meters (6,716 ft.) it is amongst the highest roads in Italy and the climb itself is rated in the top 20. (for Italy).

The pass of Menghen has been part of the Campagnolo granfondo for several years and in 2008 the Giro d'Italia passed over on it's way to finishing in San Martino di C. This year the 2012 Giro d'Italia will be passing over passo Menghen once again.  This is a great ride and much more challenging then it looks on paper.

PLANNING

Maps: This climb is on both the Touring Club Italian Trentino-Alto Adige map and Veneto Map.

The best time to ride this route is between June and October.  The pass could be open in other months depending on snow conditions.

DETAILS OF THE CLIMB

GETTING TO THE RIDE
Passo Menghen can be reached by riding the Valsugana bike path from Trento south or north from Bassano del Grappa.  If you wanted to ride just the climb you can take the train that runs between Trento and Bassano del Grappa, getting off in Borga Valsugana

CYCLING PASSO MENGHEN FROM CASTELNUOVO

The Passo Menghen bike climb is a great bicycle tour to do while you are Italy. This is a very isolated climb so you should consider doing the ride supported or as part of a group.  If you are planning on doing just the ascent and descent from Castelnuovo or Borgo Valsugana you should have no problems.  

The Valsugana Bike Path that runs from Lago Caldonezzo to Bassano del Grappa. If you are arriving by bicycle riding from Bassano you can start the climb from Castelnuovo or Borgo Valsugana.  Riding from Trento you should just start the climb at Borgo Valsugana.  There is also a small train that runs between Trento and Bassano del Grappa that offers bici-train service. You will need to get off at the Borgo Valsugana stop. If you are driving I would park in Castelnuova, there is a free parking area (except Saturday morning) where as Borgo Valsugana most of the parking is pay.  For more options on organizing the ride or questions contact me via email.

Starting from Castelnuovo just need to follow the signs for passo Menghen. The first 2·km is up to a rotary that links you  with the road from Borgo Valsugana and you are always following the signs toward passo Menghen. My computer was reading 6% for most of the way up this section. After the rotary you have a section averaging 4.9% until you reach Telva, you do not actually go into the town, the main road contours around and at the 4.4 km point you will turn right following the signs toward Passo Menghen. Up to this point this is the most scenic part of the ride with some great views of the Valsugana in the direction of Bassano del Grappa and the Asiago Plateau.

After Telva and turning right you start riding though the val Calamento forest for a little more than 4 km. This section averages 6.7% and has sections up to 11%. On my computer it showed 12 and 13% several times. Around the 8 km mark there is a small bar on the right if you need supplies or restroom this is generally you last open establishment on most days.

At about the 9.2 km mark the climb will lessen to about 4.8% average until you get to the 12.5 km point. This is the best place to refuel and drink, try to resist driving hard during this section or you will pay later. There are a couple of fountains along this section be sure to fill up because after val Calamento village there is only a couple of mountain streams if you run out of water.

From the 12.5 km point you are nearing the village of val Calamento. ·From here you are riding 9.4% average with most of the next 2 km be greater than 10% with short section reading 12-13%.  After the village the road narrows and you will have a length of road that will average 5.7% up until the 17.4 km mark.  This is also the first time you will get to see the pass in the distance.

From the 17.4 km mark you will now face the hardest part of the climb. The average grade up to from this point is 9.9% and you will have just over 7 km remaining. There are several points of 12 and 13% as the road crawls up the bowl leading to the pass. 

At the pass there is the sign post and a cross. If you continue over the pass and about 100 meters down on the Molina side is a Refugio that is generally open. But plan on being alone and self-sufficient.

During the descent back down the valley there were two to three sign posts for 15%. Also my computer read about 2 % harder in many of the listing on salita.ch's and citybikes profiles. The profile I posted below is from the 2008 official Giro altimeter and even it has a few different reading then my computers. 

There is little travel during the week days but this pass seems to be listed on the motorcycle tour listing so on Saturday and Sunday you get allot of motorcycles on the road, I would try to schedule my ride on a different day.

Borgo Valsugana can be reached by Train from Trento and Bassano del Grappa. The climb starts from the train station.

Planning a Dolomite Bike Tour check out our Classic Climbs of the Dolomite's Bike Tour

BOLZANO TO TRENTO BIKE TOUR | TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE

The Bolzano to Trento path is the most important of all the cycle paths already built or projected in Trentino. It links, from north to south, the provinces of Bolzano, Trentino and Verona: the heart of the Alps to the Po Valley.  Like it has been for thousands of years, the Valle dell'Adige is a transit route to Italy and remains the preferred route to southern European destinations, even for those who travel by bike. The bike path is 90 kilometres long and represents the cornerstone of the whole cycle route project in Trentino.

BOLZANO TO TRENTO BIKE PATH ROUTE NOTES

The bike path runs almost completely along the Adige river, alternating between its right and left banks, using the old riverside roads which cross fields and orchards, skirting past hamlets, villages and the cities of Trento and Rovereto. It doesn't matter which direction you choose to ride, the path, from the north or the south, the elevation gain between its highest and lowest points is insignificant and you don't even climb 100m. There are no demanding climbs, but there are a few steep ramps, the steepest are those required for climbing the river's banks. Nearly the whole length of the path is along roads protected from motorised traffic and is reserved exclusively for cyclists, pedestrians and very infrequent agricultural vehicles which use it when moving from one farm to another.

This guide starts describing the Bolzano bike path from its most northerly point, where cycle paths arriving from the city of Bolzano link it. Keeping to the left bank, the first stretch runs down along the river Adige to the Rotaliano Plain near the village of Mezzocorona, the path does not pass through Mezzocorona. The area it crosses is through orchards and vineyards, that sits in the valley between the high rock faces on both sides of this part of the valley.  After 4½ kilometres, in the community of Masetto, the path move to the Adige's right bank and continues down the river, passing through the village of Grumo, separated from San Michele all'Adige by a grand arch bridge. In San Michele you can visit the interesting Museo degli usi e costumi della Gente trentina (Trentino People's Habits and Customs Museum), hosted in the ancient Augustine Monastery.

Continuing along the Adige, the path now run alongside a section of the Brenner motorway, an important and busy communication artery, without fee. After ten kilometres you will reach the village of Nave San Rocco where the path again crosses the river onto the left bank. The ride continues through the rural environment and there are equipped rest areas to stop for a break or to admire the surrounding views. After sixteen kilometres, the path moves away temporarily from the Adige, towards the centre of the valley for a short stretch up the Torrente Avisio. Consequently, you pass the mouth of the Avisio Biotope, a small protected area, the natural reserve is an important rest place for some species of migratory birds and a field centre for bird tagging, whose objective is the study of migratory flight paths used in crossing the Alps. On the outskirts of the town of Lavis the path crosses the Avisio over a wooden footbridge and continues towards the Adige, parallel to the Trento Nord motorway exit. For the next three kilometres the cycle path remains close to the river and the motorway, in view of the high, sheer rock-faces of the Soprasasso.

After 27 kilometres the path enters the city of Trento, initially along a busy street, then along the tree-lined bank, which separates the river from the Adigetto canal. The cycle path does not pass through the heart of the city of Trento, it merely touches it, but a visit to the City of the Council is an absolute must. Carrying on southwards, after 31 kilometres the path will once again cross over to the right-hand side of the Adige, there is also another branch of the cycle path on the left-hand bank. Once you reach the village of Mattarello, a southern suburb of Trento, the two branches of the cycle path come together on the left bank. A further eight kilometres the path reaches the village of Besenello, overlooked by the hill which houses Beseno Castle, summer home to interesting museum exhibitions of Trentino life from the past centuries. The path then goes past the village of Calliano on the right bank of the Adige and at Nomi crosses over next to another strip of land set up as a Biotope, a relic of the river environment which you could find along the Adige up until the end of the nineteenth century, before the river was completely banked. Right before the bridge of Nomi, we find the "Bicigrill", a rest stop and information point for cyclist.

By this point you will have completed 46 kilometres and another four the path continues along the left bank, skirting vineyards. Pass under the Sant'Ilario bridge, then the cycle path moves away from the river bank and using a lightly used road towards the outskirts of the town of Rovereto, Trento Province's second most important town. As in Trento, the cycle path does not head towards the city centre, easily reachable along a branch of the same path, which turns off by the River Leno crossing. Rovereto is a town worth visiting, full of unknown and interesting ideas and home of the artist Fortunato Depero, great exponent of the Futurist movement.

Rovereto is at 55 kilometres and the path again moves away from motorised traffic, another short section which once more carries us along the Adige until we cross it over the Mori Dam bridge, built to feed water into the Montedison Canal and the abandoned factory of the same name. At 60 kilometres, along the right bank of the Montedison Canal, the path will branch off from the cycle path which goes to Lake Garda via Mori. At the former Montedison factory we pass over to the Adige's left bank across the bridge and continue along a section next to the motorway and then alongside the Verona-Brennero railway line as far as the village of Chizzola, accessible on the other side via a footbridge. For the next 6 kilometres the cycle path is still being built, alternating between finished and unfinished sections until reaching the village of Pilcante. On leaving the village, the cycle path continues along the lightly used provincial road, the “destra Adige”, this road is shared with other vehicles as far as the Ala Dam. Having crossed the Biffis Canal, bypass the Ala-Avio motorway exit, once again travelling along a section of protected path. Pass through Vo' Destro, near Sabbionara, dominated by the mass of Sabbionara d'Avio Castle, which is worth visiting, whether for its beauty or the view from the top of the keep. There are still 5 kilometres to go on the cycle path in the Valle dell'Adige, all along the riverbanks in the narrow space between the river and the motorway. Finally we reach the village of Borghetto all'Adige, where the path ends at the bridge by the boundary with Verona province.

From this point you will use provincial roads to reach Verona.  There is traffic on this road so be careful.