Lago di Garda is a lake with two faces: In the north, it is surrounded by high mountains, while in the south it shows its gentle, Mediterranean side. Good for racing cyclists, who can choose between vineyards and Alpine peaks.
At the edge of the Po Valley, the 50-kilometre-long Lake Garda juts out like a fjord deep into the Alps. Its water level is only 65 metres above sea level and Mediterranean plants grow at the foot of the mountains. It is still not advisable to cycle around Lake Garda due to the dangerous tunnels on the western shore - but a 140-kilometre cycle path around the lake is to be built by 2026. On its flat southern shores, racing cyclists will find an ideal area for rolling in. Unfortunately, there is a lot of traffic there and quiet side routes can only be found with precise route planning. In the south, wine terraces are stacked on top of each other like staggered pancakes. Just in time, before it becomes monotonous, rows of slender cypress trees enliven the picture - almost like in Tuscany. You roll through tranquil villages. Although you only ever climb a few hundred metres, the sweeping view over the Po Valley gives you the feeling of looking out of an aeroplane. If you prefer to gain metres in altitude, you can take it in moderation.
In the southern foothills of Monte Baldo and in the Valpolicella vineyards, climbers will find rather tame challenges. If that's not enough for you, head northwards: The main ridge of Monte Baldo or the eastern side of the Adige Valley offer longer and steeper climbs, as does Monte Bondone. There you can easily gain 2,000 metres in altitude in one day. In the north, well-developed cycle paths have now also been built in the valleys, bypassing the car traffic.
The Alps and the Po Valley meet at the Garda Pass. On its open southern half, you can cycle through tranquil villages, while on the northern bank, wedged between mountain massifs, you can make your first climbing attempts of the year - weather permitting - Mathias Rotter, TOUR travel author
Information about the Lake Garda region
Start of the season: March at the earliest, better from April. Due to global warming, those who can plan at short notice are increasingly finding warm, dry days as early as March
Temperatures on the south bank: 13 degrees (March), 17 degrees (April) are average maximum temperatures, in the mountains the temperatures are often still in single figures.
Journey: From Frankfurt am Main via the Brenner Pass it is 740 to 780 kilometres by car. By train from Frankfurt/Main to Rovereto in 9.5 hours with a change in Munich, plus a half-hour bus journey.
Topography: Flat, hilly to mountainous.
Locations: In the north Riva del Garda, Torbole and Arco, in the south-east Garda, Bardolino, Lazise and Peschiera del Garda.
Weekly rate for hotel and guided tours: Instead of cycle tour operators, hotels specialising in racing cyclists organise cycling holidays, such as the Activhotel Santa Lucia in Torbole on the northern shore and the Garda Bike Hotel in Peschiera del Garda in the south. At the latter, a week in a double room with full board and guided tours (three levels) costs around 2,000 euros per person.
Bike hire: Six-day bike hire costs from around 200 euros (carbon frames with Shimano's Ultegra groupset at www.carpentari.com in Torbole or velolake.com in Torbole, Bardolino and Peschiera del Garda; www.gardabikeshop.com in Riva del Garda or www.cavabike.it in Desenzano del Garda).
5 more destinations for your road bike training camp in spring
Plus points: That speaks in favour of a road bike training camp on Lake Garda
- Relatively close: travelling by car or train (bus)
- magnificent landscapes around the lake: vineyards, Alpine peaks
- everything is there: Flat stretches, hills and passes
Minus points: That speaks against it
- Lots of traffic directly on the lake
- Season start in February and March only recommended spontaneously depending on weather conditions
- No tour operators, only two hotels that offer the package of room, guided tours plus rental bike (luxurious and expensive)
- Manageable selection of road bike hire companies
