Wind your way along bike paths in two of Italy's premier bike friendly regions! Your ride begins in the Valpolicella wine area, and you'll pedal through the Trentino Alto Adige / Südtirol, a semi-independent region which is characterized by stunning mountains and river valleys. The cycling ends in Bassano del Grappa, back in the Veneto region. The perfect vacation if you are looking for the opportunity to...
...relish traffic-free routes along designated bike paths and quiet country roads
...appreciate gentle cycling terrain
...enjoy a variety of activities including a train and boat ride
...stay in delightful hotels without having to pack each night
...engage with family and friends while exercising and relaxing in a gorgeous area
There are no upcoming tours scheduled at this time.
Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Because you will be using bike paths there will be limited van support. Some bike paths are very popular so although car traffic is minimal you will have instances of bike traffic.
Includes
8 days, 7 nights' accommodation; 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners with wine- some maybe informal pizza, or poolside tapas; guided walk Trento; boat trip Lake garda; scenic train to Valsugana; 2 or 3 bilingual tour leaders; van support
We recommend that you arrive early to explore the famous city of Verona. Visit the balcony that inspired Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and attend the opera at the impressive Roman arena! Meet the group late morning for a transfer to the tour starting hotel to fit bikes, relax at the pool over a light lunch, and have a test ride together. The ride takes you to a group wine tasting at a nearby family run winery. Enjoy a visit of the estate which has been in the family for 2 centuries and a tasting of the fine Amarone and Valpolicella wines. Return to the hotel for an elegant dinner tonight.
Highlights: Spin through vineyards and along the shores of Lake Garda, boat ride
You'll cross out of the Valpolicella wine growing area along a canal with spectacular views onto the Adige River Valley. A short climb takes you into the Bardolino vineyards which flank Lake Garda's southern edge. Small country lanes meander to the promenade of Lake Garda where you'll board a ferry to reach the northernmost tip of magnificent Lake Garda. A dip in the lake is a refreshing reward for your ride efforts.
Highlights: Arco, famous for rock climbing, bike path through a stunning mountain valley, lake swimming
Today features a variety of options! You can bicycle as far north as you would like along the well-manicured Sarca Valley bike path. Or follow the path to the town of Arco, which is internationally known for its outdoor activities like mountain biking and rock climbing. Or, you might prefer to hangout and enjoy the resort town of Riva with its beaches and water sport activities (wind-surfing anyone?).
Distance: 26km (16 miles). Extra ride option: 32km (20 miles). Meals: B
Highlights: Forested bike path, views of Lake Garda, the elegant city of Trento
This morning we'll shuttle to the top of a low ridge and then cruise downhill to the Adige river, Italy's second longest river. More bike paths take you to the northern Italian town of Trento, capital of the Italy's autonomous region of Trentino Alto Adige or Südtirol.
Distance: 44km (28 miles). Extra ride option: 20km (12 miles) or even longer options are available.
Highlights: Guided walk of Trento's underground, train ride, Borgo Valsugana
Take a leisurely morning in Trento to relax, wander the streets, and enjoy a special visit to the underground Roman city of old Tridentum. This afternoon we'll train to Valsugana, a small village nestled in between the striking cliffs of the Alps' foothills.
Relax and enjoy your spa hotel, or take a leisurely pedal upstream along the river bike path. The path meanders through orchards, skirting small villages, one of which hosts an interesting scarecrow museum featuring photos and a few retirees who were brought in from the field!
Distance: 20km (13 miles). Extra ride options: 20-37km (13-23 miles). Meals: B, D
Highlights: WWI fort, wooden bridge of Bassano, grappa
Continue your journey along the Valsugana bike path enjoying stunning views, and WWI forts that overlook the valley. The route follows "Via Claudia Augusta", an ancient Roman road which ran 550km and crossed the Alps to link the Po valley just south of here with Germany to the north. You'll slowly emerge from the narrow valley to reach the town of Bassano, with its iconic wooden bridge across the river. Bassano is a key producer of grappa and there are several distilleries in town. Tonight we'll enjoy a special feast in celebration of our week together biking northern Italy's bike paths.
We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Because you will be using bike paths there will be limited van support. Some bike paths are very popular so although car traffic is minimal you will have instances of bike traffic.
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To do right after you booked!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation and After you Book Information (link sent to you by e-mail), it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country.
Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
Begin your chosen training program.
Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.
We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).
Day of Your Flight
Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle
Rolling hills
Hilly
Very hilly
Mountainous
Cycling Italy's Alpine Valleys
Cycling Italy's Alpine Valleys Plus! Venice
