759. Monte Velo (Cross Country)
Mountainbiking • Garda Trentino and Valle di Ledro
759. Monte Velo (Cross Country)
<p> Monte Velo is a classic destination in Alto Garda. The route described here has quite a challenging ascent but no particular technical difficulty on the way down.</p> <p> </p>
<p>An elevation gain of 1200 metres and a total distance of 28 km for a tour which is largely on forest trails. The average gradient on the ascent which takes you from Bolognano to Malga Fiavei is around 12%, without a moment of respite. <br/>Shortly after you leave the town, the surface turns into a dirt track, quite rough terrain in sections. Then the gradient levels off a bit and you come to a number of panoramic viewing points overlooking the lower Sarca Valley.</p> <p>Leaving the town of Bolognano which is at the bottom of the ascent, remember that you will not find any more fresh water springs until you come to Carobbi: make sure to bring enough water for the trip.</p> <p>The downhill run is on an easy forest trail which takes you to Carobbi and from there on you are on paved roads with short stretches of cement, until you get to the bottom of the valley. The snack bar mentioned at the end is not always open.</p>
recommended route
Mountainbiking
· Garda Trentino
Open
Monte Velo - Tour
Garda Trentino Verified partner
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Initial part of the ascent, with the Policromuro Cliff in the backgroundPhoto: Archivio Garda Trentino (ph. Marco Giacomello), North Lake Garda Trentino
Shady MTB uphill circuit for hot days.
Signage: 759. Monte Velo - Tour
From Arco you begin on minor roads via San Martino, riding north-east, then switching to gravelled forest roads shortly before Carobbi. You have to ascend a total of just over 1000 metres at a relatively constant gradient, right at the beginning. Once you cross Passo due Sassi, the highest point of the tour, you traverse the slope along a gently undulating series of changing surfaces. After a total of 20 kilometres, a long, relatively steep descent begins on forest roads, later through the village of Bolognano and back to the starting point.
Variants: 759a. Variante Santa Barbara - Trail
Author’s recommendation
Don’t forget to take a break after Malga Fiavei: near a right-hand bend, a number of short paths branch off to the left through the forest to a series of First World War emplacements. These were built directly above mighty rocky outcrops and reward you with a wondrous view of Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains.
Garda Trentino Verified partner
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
ITRS - International Trail Rating System
The ITRS is an objective way to assess trails and routes from a biker’s perspective, evaluating four aspects:
- Technical Difficulty: riding skill level needed
- Endurance: combined effect of length, uphill and downhill
- Wilderness: amount of planning required based on mobile phone reception, rescue options, water supply and wildlife
- Exposure: consequences of a fall
Discover more about the ITRS system and check the classification of this tour in the photo gallery.
Safety Tips
- Always wear your helmet.
- Plan your ride.
- You share the trail with other users. Yield right of way to hikers.
- Let your speed be determined by your experience.
- Ride slowly on crowded trails, overtake with politeness and respect.
- Cycle only on authorized and open trails.
- Avoid muddy trails in order not to damage them further.
- Respect public and private property.
- Always be self-sufficient.
- Do not cycle solo in remote areas.
This information is subject to inevitable variations, so none of these indications are absolute. It is not entirely possible to avoid giving inexact or imprecise information, given how quickly environmental and weather conditions can change. For this reason, we decline any responsibility for changes which the user may encounter. In any case, it is advisable to check environment and weather conditions before setting out.
Tips and suggestions
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The starting point of the tour is in Arco, along the cycling path next to the Caneve car park. Following the cycle path towards the town centre of Arco, we cross the river Sarca and ride northwards along it. We pass by the climbing stadium and cross the river once again. At the roundabout we cross the main road and reach the treelined street on the other side, which leads to the Convent of San Francesco.
Instead of going all the way to the convent, we turn left in Via di Sai and then right into Via Angelo Maino. At the crossroads near the car park we turn left and ride through the hamlet of San Martino passing by the church located on a high spot. Then we keep right and start our ascent on a rather narrow asphalt road in the direction of the Policromuro crag and the Bosco Caproni.
Once we reach Pianaura, we reach a fork and turn right to continue the climb towards Troiana, where the asphalt gives way to a dirt road, and Carobbi, a nice spot surrounded by beautiful chestnut groves. From Carobbi the forest road continues uphill in the direction of the Passo Due Sassi. Here it's definitely worth making a stop to admire the view over Lake Garda from one of two large rocks.
From the pass, the forest road starts to descend with low gradients. We ride past the turning point to Malga Zanga and turn into an asphalt road passing by Agriturismo Torboli to join the main road which links Arco to Passo Santa Barbara. We follow it for about 800 m and at the hairpin bend we take the dirt road leading to the church of San Francesco. We keep downhill, now on markedly steeper terrain, along the Monte Corno forest road and reach Malga Fiavei, a visibly abandoned building.
After 3 km we rejoin the asphalt road just outside the village of Bolognano, which we enter via Via Cacciatore. We ride through the village and past the church, then turn into Via Rovereto. We continue for about 200 m and turn tight to take Via del Rì, which we follow to the village of Caneve, at one point via a flyover. From the village square we turn left and reach a roundabout, where we take Via Paolo Leonardi to return to the starting point.
Bike/E-Bike Stop Park Carmellini - Arco
E-Bike Stop Bicigrill Moletta- Arco
Bike/E-Bike Stop Malga Zanga - Monte Velo
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
The main towns in Garda Trentino - Riva del Garda, Arco, Torbole sul Garda, Nago – are connected by several urban and intercity bus lines which will take you to the starting point of tours or in the immediate surroundings.
You can also get to Riva del Garda and Torbole sul Garda by the public ferry service.
Up-to-date information on timetables and routes.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
Find out how to reach Garda Trentino.
Parking
Parking in Caneve (5 minutes walk to the town centre).
Paid parking: Foro Boario, near the bridge (Via Caproni Maini) or the post office (Via Monache).
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Garda Trentino BIKE Map – Available in the info points of Garda Trentino (Riva del Garda, Arco, Torbole sul Garda, Ledro, Comano Terme)
Equipment
Riding your bike requires specific clothing and equipment, even for relatively short and easy trips. It is always better to be prepared… e.g. for bad weather or a sudden drop in your energy levels. The unexpected things are part of the fun!
Remember to thoroughly evaluate the type of route you plan on doing, the locations you intend to cross and the current season. Has it been raining? Attention: The paths may be slippery and require more caution.
What do I need to bring on my bike tour?
- An adequate water supply according to your needs (considering temperature, possibility of refuelling and duration of the route)
- Plenty of snacks (for example, dried fruit or energy bars)
- Waterproof / Windproof jacket
- A spare top / spare socks (Descending in a sweaty garment, will make you cold).
- Suncream
- Sunglasses
- Bike gloves/mitts
- Map or GPS device
- Bike lights: best placed on your helmet or handlebars. (It is always best to be prepared)
- Bike repair kit for punctures and mechanical breakdowns
- First aid kit
- Emergency whistle
It is always advised to let someone know where you plan to go and how long you expect to be.
Emergency telephone number 112.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Weather at the starting point
Statistics
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