If the freedom of the summer holidays is to be colored in during the winter, Google, the ANWB booklet (out of nostalgia), that one colleague and that active family-shaped search area will reduce it. Complete countries are left out, but also coastal lines and the most beautiful mountain ranges have to suffer the consequences. Then it suddenly goes fast and becomes concrete. Pay attention now. “Caldonazzo, dear? Is that nice (asked), oh I used to vacation there with my parents (answer!)?” Before I know it, it has become a cycling adventure around Lake Caldonazzo. On the campsite photos I scan over the facilities towards the horizon. Not straight on, that’s a start. Hey, that behind the swimming pool, that just looks like a mountain. No white peaks, rocks, that’s a job. But they are mountains! Soon afterwards. The confirmation from the campsite: we’re going to Caldonazzo!
Text and photos: Erwin Reijneveld – MountainHighChasers
Read more about cycling in Trentino:
- https://cyclingdestination.cc/verhalen/classic-rides-sella-ronda
- https://cyclingdestination.cc/verhalen/fietsen-in-trentino-lago-di-molveno
New names
The destination is therefore fixed. The signal for the next phase. Before the package lists and camping shops come into view, careful work is being done to build a small route library around the holiday destination. More than just nice for now and indispensable for later. Because when a moment of opportunity arises suddenly during the holidays, dive in! Our friends are on board with the chosen destination, and he happens to also love making routes. It soon becomes clear that Karma is on our side. Where the family interests came from for those of the height-meter addict, the destination turns out to be a trap with its nose in the air. The Monte Bondone near Trento in Trentino, the Passo Manghen eastwards and Kaiserjägerstrasse before the tent. These are unknown names that will become memories. The excitement has begun.
Kaiserjägerstrasse as a warm-up
Caldonazzo out, always a hassle. Especially when that exit is the Kaiserjägerstrasse. The town’s main bike exit. The fact that you have to go through it is rarely such a requirement as here. At the campsite you’re quickly recognized as a cyclist. Not only at the swimming pool, where you can never really take your cycling gear off, but the bike itself is soon spotted. There’s a good chance that the chat with the unfamiliar fellow vacationer won’t be about the weather, describing the car journey here (why is that such an important topic among camping Dutch people?) or the entertainment program. Hands nonchalantly in the swimsuit, sun hat on the nose and a nod towards the Kaiser; “have you been up there yet?”
Working hard to reach the top
So every cyclist makes their way up the steep road, over the steep curves that always offer a beautiful view of the two peaceful lakes, those of Caldonazzo and of Levico. A view of the valley below, ever lower and lower. Where the towels are spread out, the coolers are slowly emptied, the pale skin is tanned and the phones are read (or what does a holidaymaker actually do on the beach?). You can certainly cycle in a picturesque postcard-like scene, but this beautiful little road does everything in its power to break the holiday mood. Eight kilometers, almost ten percent on average with a kilometer at twelve percent. Then just keep your attention on enjoying the ride. Yet it ends, at the top, with a slight anticlimax. Almost the only stretch of the route without a view is at the top, where the pine trees block the view.
Beautiful routes in the area of Lago di Caldonazzo
On top of the climb, you have the choice: return or continue into the hinterland. We choose the latter. After all, what could be more beautiful than cycling around? Away from the billboards, campsites, and restaurants. To the area where real Italy is tasted. Up and down on quiet roads with diverse panoramas. Along the way, a perfect doppio to happily return to the campsite after three hours. Where the children in swimsuits are still explaining the daily program just for the sake of it. Isn’t that a delight?
Choice stress?
There is plenty of choice in rounds like this. A real recommendation is the Passo Manghen. A magnificent climb that can be conquered in a long round of 110 kilometers. Or as the final destination of the cycling tour and starting point of the (family-) hike. With the beautifully located restaurant at the top, it requires little creativity to put together a great day with this mountain as the theme. A more manageable round over the Passo Redebus (45 km) is also possible. Alternatively, the Panarotta climb (in which there is only a tiny uphill section) can be done in the same distance.
Golden hour(s)
Because the oven was turned up quite high during the summer, the rides quickly became desirable until the end of the day. And that was the case more than once, with two tents waking up at around six o’clock. Two cyclists came out of their tents, where everything was already ready for the ride. To be the first customer at the bakery on the terrace, with fresh sweet and caffeine. Followed by a cool start, passing by a virgin lake and golden light on the peaks. A holiday in its purest form. This dream destination deserves to be recorded in the upper room as Pavlov. A cycling adventure around Lake Caldonazzo is a guarantee for cycling pleasure.
Cycling adventures around Lake Caldonazzo
Check out our collection, created by our own Erwin Reijneveld
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.