A new 140km-long trail will soon make it possible to cycle around Italy’s largest lake, the beautiful Lake Garda, taking in the scenic northern Italy countryside.
1. Garda by Bike
The name of the project is Garda by Bike and it has been underway for the last two years. The new route is expected to open this year and is created from existing cycling tracks as well as newly built paths. The route will take cyclists from Lombardy, through Trento on the Veneto, and back again, and will also link up to the continent-spanning European cycle routes Eurovelo Route 7 and Eurovelo Route 8.
2. Impact of the pandemic
The recent and ongoing pandemic has led to more people seeking outdoor and socially distanced activities, especially when it comes to holidays and leisure time, so the new Garda by Bike project is like to be positively impacted by these changes in lifestyle. It will provide a new route for Italians, Europeans and tourists from further afield to explore whilst practising a healthy lifestyle.
3.Suitable for many
Although the full route is a long-distance ride which will likely attract experienced cyclists, the bike path is also suitable for families as it is wide and does not include any steep climbs. The route can be cycled with any type of bike, as the path is made from wood planks and so is not challenging, and the lack of extreme elevation makes it appealing to novice cyclists too.
4. The scenery
Garda by Bike takes in the beautiful scenery of northern Italy, and a particularly picturesque section, which has already been opened to cyclists, runs 2km from Capo Reamol on the lake’s western shore, hugging a rugged section of cliffs above the water. Cyclists can enjoy the incredible views the country has to offer as they circle the beautiful lake.
5. Similar projects
Italy has other exciting outdoor projects in store as well, and in June they announced a new hiking trail, Sentiero dei Parchi, which will connect all 25 of Italy’s national parks. The new trail will incorporate sections of the existing 7000km-long Sentiero Italia, which passes through 18 of the national parks. The Minister for the Environment described the project as an important sign of ‘how much we value our immense natural heritage and its valorisation when it comes to sustainable tourism, especially in this post-COVID moment when we all feel the need to be outside a bit more.’
