Tour between Lake Garda and the Adige Valley

Race cycling

Race cycling recommended route Race cycling  · Garda Trentino Open

Tour di Affi

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  • Tempesta
    Tempesta
    Photo: Mstefano80 (flickr), flickr

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    A route of over 100 km, but free from particular difficulties. This loop is a mixture of the fabulous Lake Garda coast and the green landscape of the Valle dell’Adige.

    Open
    moderate
    Distance 106.2 km
    5:30 h
    580 m
    580 m
    311 m
    63 m

    The Affi Loop, as those who adore the Upper Garda area call it, is a "classic" tour for the group rides of the amateur cyclists from the Garda Trentino area.

    During the first half of the itinerary, we skirt the eastern shore of Lake Garda, where short tunnels alternate with picturesque lakeside locations. With a short, easy climb towards Costermano, we leave the view of the lake behind and a fun roller-coaster section takes us to the Valle dell’Adige. Once we reach Rivoli, the return northwards continues on the cycle path, from which we catch glimpses of the majestic Castle of Avio and the many vineyards that characterise this valley.

    The total distance might scare off the faint-hearted. But this is not the case with the gradients which, in the only brief uphill section, are gentle and within everyone’s capabilities.

    Author’s recommendation

    The early morning departure enables us to reap the benefits of a precious favourable wind, the Pelèr, which makes the ride along the lakeside even more enjoyable.

    Profile picture of Staff Outdoor GardaTrentino SO
    Author
    Staff Outdoor GardaTrentino SO 
    Logo Garda Trentino
    Responsible for this content
    Garda Trentino  Verified partner 
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    Passo San Giovanni, 311 m
    Lowest point
    Torbole, 63 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Road 100%
    Road
    106.2 km
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    1. Give your bike a regular checkup, especially if you've had it for years.
    2. Be seen: you must wear a high vis jacket (or sash) in tunnels and on country roads after sunset.
    3. Always wear your helmet.
    4. Make sure your front and rear lights are working.
    5. Put out your arm to give advance warning of your intention to change position and before you do anything, check there are no vehicles coming up behind you.
    6. Don't use headphones or your mobile phone handsfree kit: you need all your concentration on the road!
    7. Obey the road signs: stop at traffic lights and don't ride on the wrong side of the road.
    8. If you are cycling in a group, always go in single file.
    9. You've got a bell: use it to let pedestrians know you're there. Don't ride on footpaths. If you have to then get off and push your bike.
    10. If there are cycle paths use them. It's your safety that's at stake and the rules of the road say you must.

    Tips and suggestions

    From epic climbs to fast descents, every detail matters. Ride worry-free with help from our road cycling specialists: rentals, mechanics and guides who speak your language – the language of smooth tarmac and two wheels.

    Roadbook

    The departure point of the route is the Torbole information office, on Lungolago Conca d'Oro. From here we continue southwards. 

    In summer, this road is very busy, so remember to proceed in single file, being careful of the vehicles that catch you up. The first 10 km features a series of tunnels, where wearing a high-vis jacket (or braces) and having working front and rear lights is compulsory to improve visibility. 

    In Navene, after the tunnels, we carry on along the main road (S.R. 249) which, after a few kilometres, meets Malcesine, recognisable for its Scaligero castle built right above the lake. For a long section of road, splendid views of Lake Garda alternate with characteristic Veneto locations. In fact, after Malcesine we come across Cassone (where we can admire the shortest river in the world, the Aril), then Assenza, Brenzone, Castelletto, Pai, and Torri del Benaco. After Torri del Benaco, a short, gentle incline takes us to Punta San Vigilio. Now the road descends slightly, and we are treated to a marvellous view of the port of the town of Garda. At the first roundabout we encounter, in the residential part of Garda, we take the second exit, in the direction of Costermano.

    The road now begins to climb, but never reaches significant gradients. After a few bends, we get to Costermano del Garda. We carry on straight ahead, on the S.P. 8, until we reach a roundabout. We take the first exit on the right, and after another 2 km, at the roundabout we turn left, and take the third exit, heading towards Rivoli Veronese. Now a great section of continuous ups and downs awaits us, finishing up in the town of Rivoli. We enter the built-up area and once we’ve passed a small roundabout, we continue for another 150 metres then turn left, in the sharp bend that runs into Viale Caduti del Lavoro. We follow the signs for Fort Wohlgemuth until we meet the beginning of the cycle path. A few hundred metres later, on our right we can’t help but notice Fort Wohlgemuth, which is well worth a detour. We follow the signs that indicate the cycle path, in the direction of Rovereto.

    The cycle path is a perpetual series of ups and downs, at times skirting the river Adige and at times surrounded by vineyards, the most common type of crop in this valley.  We keep heading north and at a certain point on the left side of the valley we can make out the Castle of Avio, standing tall over the town below. We continue following the signs for the cycle path which lead us across the river Adige near the town of Chizzola. Having covered almost 4 kilometres, the cycle path crosses the river again. Here we come off it and turn on to the provincial road (S.P. 90) We ride until the town of Mori, where we turn left at the traffic light. On the main road, we see the signs indicating the cycle path, which we follow. Along this route, we can admire the riverbed of Lake Loppio, a basin drained in 1956 following the construction of the Adige-Garda tunnel that made the groundwater sink. Now we tackle the last challenge of the day, the brief climb to the San Giovanni Pass, before the descent towards Nago.

    Coming out of the village, we enter the “old Nago”, a quiet road that leads to Torbole. The road is very steep, and the panorama is ultra-photogenic. Here we leave the surfaced road and head down the cobbled street until we reach Piazza Goethe, then turn left, returning to our departure point.

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    Bike/E-Bike Stop Parking Coel - Nago

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    The towns in Garda Trentino - Riva del Garda, Torbole sul Garda and Arco – are connected by several urban and intercity bus lines which will take you to the starting point or in the immediate surroundings.

    For up-to-the-minute information on timetables and routes

    You can also get to Riva del Garda and Torbole sul Garda by the public ferry service.

    Get Timetable to destination

    to
    Tour di Affi

    Directions

    Getting to northern lake Garda / Garda Trentino

    Parking

    Paid parking: Panorama (Via delle Brae), Goethe (Via Strada Granda), ex Villa Cian (Via Sarca Vecchio), Busatte (Via delle Busatte)Paid parking: Panorama, Via Strada Granda, Lungolago Conca d'Oro.

    Coordinates

    DD
    45.867615, 10.877117
    DMS
    45°52'03.4"N 10°52'37.6"E
    UTM
    32T 645695 5081052
    w3w 
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Author’s map recommendations

    • Garda Trentino BIKE Map - On sale in information offices in Riva del Garda, Arco and Torbole 

    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 drop your energy levels. The unexpected things also make up a part of the fun!

    Do not compare a road bike with a mountain bike. They are very different, especially in technical terms, and facing a hill with a road bike could be much more difficult than facing the same hill with a MTB. Therefore, remember to throughly evaluate the type of route you plan to do and the locations you plan to cross. Do not forget to consider the current season. Has it been raining? Attention: the paint of the crosswalk could be very slick.

    What do I need to bring on my bike tour?

    • Bike helmet
    • Bike gloves
    • Bike glasses
    • Waterproof/Windproof jacket
    • Headlights and rearlights
    • Reflecting suspenders
    • Plenty of snacks (for example, dried fruit or energy bars)
    • Water Bottle
    • Bike repair kit (tire levers, mini bike pump, bike tube)

    It is always advised to let someone know where you plan to go and how long you expect to be.

    Emergency telephone number 112.

    Similar routes nearby

    • Monte BaldoTour
    • Malcesine Panoramic Road
    • Mori - Avio - San Valentino
    • Tour del Lago di Cavedine
    • San Giovanni al Monte
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Status
    Open
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    106.2 km
    Duration
    5:30 h
    Ascent
    580 m
    Descent
    580 m
    Highest point
    311 m
    Lowest point
    63 m
    Public-transport-friendly Round trip Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Insider tip

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

    Statistics

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    Elevation profile


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