There are many ways to cycle from Bolzano to Venice, and sometimes a little detour is just what you need. On this self-guided cycling tour, I set out with my father and we make a special stop in Salò on Lake Garda, discovering even more of Northern Italy along the way. For our guests, too: Whenever possible, we do our best to accommodate personal travel wishes and tailor the tour to your needs. Join me on my cycling adventure through Northern Italy!
We set off for our cycling vacation with a journey over the Brenner Pass to South Tyrol. In Bolzano, the first rays of sunshine greet us, along with the friendly team at the destination office. After dropping off our luggage and enjoying a delicious Italian coffee from destination manager Stefano, we hop on our bikes and head to the Isarco River, following the cycling route downstream out of the city.
With snow-capped peaks in sight, we tackle the short climb to Caldaro and roll through a sea of vineyards and orchards, framed by picturesque villages and the blue-green Lake Caldaro. The route descends past the lake toward the Adige, where we follow the perfectly maintained Cycle Path along the blue ribbon through endless apple orchards, always heading for the impressive Salorno Gorge. This narrow pass, with its towering mountain walls, marks the language border between German-speaking South Tyrol and Italian Trentino.
Soon after, a sunny drink break at the Bicigrill is just what we need. We pedal the final miles to Trento, where we wrap up the evening with local Trentino specialties and a delicious gelato.
Since yesterday morning was quite chilly, we decide to take a stroll through Trento’s impressive old town after breakfast. A few photo stops at the main fountain and in the winding alleys, then we hop on our rental bikes and head south along the Adige embankment, mountains on either side. Passing Rovereto, we approach Mori, where we leave the Adige and make our way toward Lake Garda. Before the final climb at Passo San Giovanni, we refuel at the Bicigrill with a fresh fruit juice cocktail. Then it’s a gentle descent, first to Nago and a bit further on.
And then: a breathtaking view over Torbole and Lake Garda, stretching all the way to the horizon. We roll down to the lakeshore and along the promenade, watching countless water sports enthusiasts. There’s plenty happening on land, too. In a quiet, windless spot, we soak in the sun and the stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. It’s a true postcard-perfect scene! The last few meters take us to our hotel in the heart of Riva del Garda, where we enjoy a wonderful evening at a charming ristorante.
We’re the first to breakfast and are treated to a stunning lake view right from the start. Soon after, we set off. On the far side of the lake, the sun rises behind the mountains, casting a magical glow on the impressive Via Ponale, an old road carved into the rock.
A few cyclists and hikers have the same idea, soaking in the spectacular views over the lake. The route winds steadily uphill along the mountain and through switchbacks to Lake Ledro, where another breathtaking panorama awaits.
Autumn is already making itself felt up here. At the highest point, Passo dell’Ampola, it’s time for a quick change of clothes before the descent. For miles, we roll downhill into the valley and toward Lake Idro, the perfect spot for a midday break on the shore.
After a little refreshment, we ride along the newly built lakeside cycling route to Anfo. At the end of Lake Idro, the path continues gently downhill until we reach our destination, Salò, right on Lake Garda.
Late in the afternoon, we stroll along the beautiful promenade before indulging in well-deserved Italian cuisine and letting the evening fade away.
We start the stage rolling through the bay of Salò, stocking up on provisions for today’s tour. The climb begins right in town, and soon we leave the lake behind, heading into the beautiful countryside.
At the top, we cycle through rolling hills, vineyards, and forests, passing small villages and catching glimpses of the lake. The miles fly by, and before we know it, we reach Desenzano, though today we ride right past.
On scenic cycling routes, we head to Torre di San Martino for a quick photo stop, then continue to Ponti sul Mincio with its charming castle. Along the Mincio River, we follow the Cycle Path for a few miles before the route leads gently through the Veneto landscape toward Verona.
In the afternoon, we explore some of Verona’s highlights on foot, including Castelvecchio, the famous arena, and the winding alleys of the old town.
Before leaving the city of Romeo and Juliet, we make one last stop at the famous arena. Then we’re quickly out of town, riding along quiet back roads.
Once more, we follow the Adige for a short stretch, then cycle through classic Venetian landscapes, with beautiful mountain views to our left. Midway, we take a longer break in medieval Soave, indulging in a few Italian treats from a traditional forneria.
Well refreshed, we tackle the final climb just before Vicenza. In Brendola, we pause to catch a glimpse of a professional cycling race, then head uphill into the Monte Berici, feeling inspired.
On the descent, we can’t resist stopping at the Basilica Santa Maria di Monte Berico to soak in the stunning views over Vicenza and its magnificent architecture. In the evening, we stroll into the city center and let the day wind down over a delicious meal.
Right after breakfast, we set out for the day. The stage is listed at 85 kilometers, and we want to make sure we visit Venice before heading home.
We ride briskly southeast, crossing the flat plains toward Abano and past Padua, stopping for lunch at a sunny picnic spot right on the cycling route. By then, we’ve already covered two-thirds of today’s distance.
On we go, and by afternoon we reach our hotel in Mestre. A quick shower, grab a tram ticket, and off to Venice! We wander through the alleys and over the canals to the Rialto Bridge, then on to St. Mark’s Square.
With so many visitors on the island, we let the evening wind down in the center of Mestre, enjoying pizza and pasta. The next day, it’s time to head home.
My favorite place is the old Via Ponale. The first rays of sunlight bathe the road carved into the rock above Lake Garda in golden morning light. From the harbor in Riva, we ride a few meters along the promenade before the climb begins. Only a handful of hikers and cyclists are out, so we can soak in the silence and the breathtaking views over the lake at our own pace. It’s a truly beautiful moment!
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