Bike route at Lake Garda from Riva del Garda to Ledro Valley
Giorgia Consolini
Trekking, bike and ski touring
Angela Trawoeger
Creator, photographer and content manager
A fantastic route, suitable for anyone who wants to try the Ponale road and visit Lake Ledro with an e-Mtb. A single suspension (full suspension) bike will be sufficient to tackle the easy dirt sections that alternate with the paved road.
You will go from Lake Garda to Lake Ledro in about 8 kilometers of ascent along a route rich in views, history, and nature.
Map and GPS Track
The Ponale road and Lake Ledro by e-Mtb
Details
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Technical characteristics
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Starting point
Riva del Garda
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Endpoint
Riva del Garda
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Route
Riva del Garda, Ponale, Prè, Molina di Ledro, Pieve di Ledro, Molina di Ledro, Prè, Ponale, Riva del Garda
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Starting height
47m
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Highest point
680m
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Altitude – ascent/descent
872m/872m
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Distance
30km
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Duration
3 hrs
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Starting point
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Difficulty
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Difficulty
medium
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Technical difficulty (1 to 5)
2
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Physical training (1 to 5)
2 (with an e-mtb)
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Difficulty
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Scenic appeal
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Experience (1 to 5)
5
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Landscape (1 to 5)
5
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Experience (1 to 5)
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Type of route
- Round Tour
- Panoramic route
- Insider Tip
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Best time of year
- From april to november
Partner
Points of interest along the route
- The Ponale Road is the best-known and most popular trail in the North Lake Garda area for its spectacular views overlooking Lake Garda and historical-environmental features. Construction of the Ponale Road began in February 1848 and ended early in 1851, when its creator Giacomo Cis died. Until the 1980s, the road was used as a driveway connecting with the Ledro Valley; in 2004, it was transformed into a bicycle and pedestrian path.
- The Molina di Ledro Pile Dwelling Museum is a UNESCO heritage site with more than 4,000 years of history.
- The small villages of Lake Ledro, the views and the off-season tranquility of one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Trentino.
Tour description
If you are lucky, you will be able to leave your car in one of the few parking lots that line the road to Limone. On the right, take the rocky road that climbs before the car tunnel and then keep left to pass the entrance to the Ponale trail.
The dirt road takes you gently uphill, between tunnels, to a bar/restaurant and the next fork, where you keep right and continue on the asphalt between quiet hairpin bends in the direction of Biacesa – Prè.
At the road bar, where the Ponale road ends, turn left downhill and follow the brown “recommended MTB route” road signs to avoid the state road. After the steep descent and subsequent climb, turn right onto a short section of driveway, then take the small asphalt road to your left with signs for Prè that becomes a shady unmade road along a fairy-tale stream between fields and woods.
At the village of Prè, in front of the church, you can refuel with water and then continue to the next bend, where you cross the road to resume the “percorso consigliato MTB” (recommended MTB route).
You still have a few reasonably challenging uphill climbs ahead, but Lake Ledro is now close by.
At the small square in Molina di Ledro, ride alongside the stream and the Post Office building to the stilt houses. Now keep left to begin the easy tour of Lake Ledro, watching out for cars. Past Pur, stay right to take the dirt bike path back to Pieve di Ledro, then follow the footpath along the lake by getting off your bike or, if you prefer to pedal, the driveway that runs along the lake to return to Molina and finish the Lake Ledro tour.
The return is on the same route, except for a slight initial detour from the stilt houses to Molina’s center via the Legos hamlet.
The route is always well marked: from the end of the Ponale road, follow the brown “percorso consigliato MTB” (recommended MTB route) or “percorso bici” (bike route) road signs and the red/white “Lago di Ledro – Molina” signs present at each junction.
Our tips
- There are very few free parking spots near the start; only a stroke of luck can get you a place on weekends and from mid-morning onward. If you can, leave early or get there by public transportation.
- The Ledro Valley has plenty of water, but on the Ponale, the sun beats down, and there is only one refreshment station. Leave with a full water bottle!
- The Ponale tunnels are pretty dark, so don’t forget your lights.
- Remember to take a waterproof jacket with you as it often rains in Val di Ledro, especially in summer in the late afternoon.
For your safety on the Ponale road
- Pedestrians also travel the Ponale road, so pay attention and limit your speed, especially at bottlenecks, exposed sections, and those with poor visibility near curves or tunnels.
- Do not linger under rock walls.
- During freezing and thawing periods, rain, and thunderstorms, the route is not recommended due to the danger of rockfall and landslides. In case of sudden thunderstorms, leave the trail.
Refuges, bivouacs, or refreshment points along the route
At Riva del Garda, on the Ponale road, halfway along the trail just before Prè, at Lake Ledro.
Partner
The route in winter
From April to November.
The Ponale road in winter
The Ponale road is passable all year round; however, it is often closed in winter for work. You can find information about closures on the Garda Trentino Facebook page.
How to reach the starting point of the itinerary
By car
At Riva del Garda, follow the signs toward Limone.
Parking lots in Riva del Garda:
- Monte Oro Car Park
- Car park Viale Canella
- Public parking Marconi
- Car Park Terme Romane
- Car Park “ex Ospedale”, free
- Car Park “ex Cimitero”, free
Public transportation
If you are staying in or around Riva:
- Lines 1 and 2 | Riva del Garda – Varone – Arco – S. Giorgio – Brione – Riva del Garda
- Line 3 | Nago – Torbole sul Garda – Riva del Garda – Arco – Bolognano
To return by bus from Val di Ledro:
- Line 214 | Riva del Garda – Valle di Ledro