Italy has many beautiful lakes. Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como are the most famous. But also the lesser-known small lakes, in the mountains or on the flat, are often breathtakingly beautiful. Italy has many beautiful lakes. The region of Trentino, in the north of Italy has lots of smaller mountain lakes. Incidentally, part of Lake Garda is also part of Trentino. One of those other smaller lakes is Lago di Molveno. There you can cycle beautifully in Trentino. In this article, we give you some great tips for cycling in this region.
text and photos: Neal Beentjes
Molveno
The town of Molveno lies on Lake Molveno of the same name in the Dolomites. Located in Brenta, a mountain group that Italians call the gem of the Dolomites. As a cyclist, it is certainly not the first place you think of, as most Dutch people still head towards Corvara (Sella Ronda), Stelvio or Gavia. Perhaps that's why it's a great place to go cycling in Trentino from. Especially as there is more to experience than just cycling. It is a true MTB and hike mecca with plenty of places to rent a (downhill) MTB for a day.
Unknown cols
The names Passo Ballino (15.8km - 4.5% aver.), Passo Duron (10.2km - 6.2%) and Passo Daone (8.3km - 9.2%) don't mean anything to most people, but are definitely worth cycling up once. Passo Ballino in particular is magnificent. You can climb it from three sides, but the option from Lake Garda is great. At 15km at 4.5%, this climb is a lot gentler than many other options in the area. And the many hairpin bends mean you get great views of Lake Garda each time, where many a Dutchman holidays. Once at the top, stopping at Pizzeria Da Lucio is a must. This restaurant with no menu has that true Italian experience. The owner who comes and neatly sums up the menu to you completes it. Great.
Bondone binding
Monte Bondone (19.4km - 7.5%) will ring a bell with true cycling fans. A climb that has often caused spectacle in the Giro d'Italia. Gaul and Bahamontes already cycled there and in Italy Monte Bondone is a real bucket list climb. For instance, Vincenzo Nibali and Ivan Basso won a youth race on Monte Bondone and later the Giro d'Italia. This cannot be a coincidence. Again, you have three variants, with the one from Trento hurting the most. The version from Aldeno is also cool to do, this one is a bit more irregular and with peaks towards 13% you need good legs.
Monte Bondone, Lasino, Italy
- Distance: 21.8 km, Elevation: 1159 m, Avg. Grade: 5.3 %
Famous cols
There are also some other famous cols in the region that you can cycle to fairly easily. From Molveno, you have a round trip of about 140km to Madonna Di Campiglio. For the non-experts: that's 7km of pain. And that with a considerable run-up. On the round trip, you also grab Passo Daone and see another lake, Lago di Santa Giustina. Madonna di Campiglio is one of those climbs that cyclists love, if only because of Madonna's own victory.
Madonna di Campiglio, Italy
- Distance: 10.2 km, Elevation: 651 m, Avg. Grade: 6.3 %
Passo Mendola - Mendelpass
The Mendel Pass is a much-travelled climb in the area. This climb just south of Bolzano is often part of the Giro Dolomiti. From Molveno it is about 120 kilometres in a round trip over the Passo Mendola (Mendellpass). For a good lunch stop in Caldaro at Haus am Hang or if you roll on a little further you can stop for coffee or coke at Lago di Caldaro, for example at Restaurant Seegarten. This restaurant is not cheap, but if you have time, the lunch is really divine.
Trento
Molveno lies on the border of German-speaking and Italian-speaking Italy in Trentino. With about an hour and a half of cycling you'll be in the capital Trento. You will then cycle mainly downhill, so the way back will take a bit longer. In the valley where Trento is located, there are several beautiful cycle paths, especially along the Adige River. Nice and flat, along the cooling water. What is also great: you ride here in the middle of the wine region. Beautiful pictures and everywhere you can stop for a tasting. That is, if you feel like it.
From Trento, for example, you can easily cycle towards Arco or Riva del Garda. In Arco, as in all of Italy, you can drink an espresso for €1.10. These are prices we could get used to. Besides, you can get a fantastic pasta or pizza at lunch in any village. For €15, you cycle the last kilometres back towards Molveno with a full stomach and a caffeine rush.
The pros and cons at a glance
Advantages:
- Many different unknown cols
- More than just road bikes
- The location is really beautiful
- The village is fully equipped
- It is popular among Italian tourists, so you won't encounter many other Dutch people.
Disadvantages:
- Molveno is at altitude, so you always have a climb at the end of your ride
- Molveno is geared more towards MTBers, so road bike parts are hard to come by
- Roads can sometimes be crowded with motorcyclists
Looking for cool routes in and around Molveno? Then also check out the Komoot account from Ploughshares Cycling Club.
