Lake Garda - MTB

Located in Northern Italy’s Trentino, the Garda region is home to some of the world’s finest singletrack. Perfectly pitched, army grade footpaths have been repurposed to create a trail system of over 1,000km ranging from tram-accessed downhills to cross-country epics. Outrageous food and wine accentuates the omnipresent backdrop views of the lake making Garda one of our favorite trips.

Depending on the kind of riding you’re looking for, we can tailor an itinerary heavy on the DH, more on the X-C side or a perfect blend of everything. The tram-accessed runs off Monte Baldo are among the most perfect in Europe; long and flowing. They really shine in the fall when they are lined with a carpet of fallen leaves. We’ll take a ferry to the other side of the lake, get a shuttle up Monte Tremalzo, and hit a number of cross-country circuits. There are months’ worth of options in Garda. The food and wine of the region is some of Italy’s best. And the diversity of Garda’s restaurants is as good as the trails. Pasta, pizza, and fresh fish are washed down with incredible local vino Valpolicella. A perfect way to cap off another day of epic riding in Italia, living “la dolce vita.”

Fly into either Milan’s Malpensa or Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. Here an EpicQuest guide meets you for the gorgeous two-hour transfer to the town of Malcesine, Italy, the base for this adventure.

Limestone peaks create the unique topography of the Garda region. Rides can cover almost 6000’ of vertical, meaning that everything from the alpine, to hardwood forests, to olive groves, and even palm trees at lakefront blur past your handlebars. One thing remains constant; the gorgeous lake view. Exhaustingly long descents, all perfectly-pitched for letting go of the brakes and flying, are the norm from Monte Baldo’s trams. The road shuttles and X-C rides offer everything from alpine ridgelines to slinky forest runs. Garda gives you some of the most diverse riding in Europe, all in one great location.

Lago di Garda gives you a Mediterranean climate in an alpine setting, with balmy spring and fall temps and downright hot in the summer months. For that reason (and to avoid the crowds), we recommend Garda in the shoulder seasons. The riding can stretch into November, with some of the best weather in the Alps, a trip here might be your last bike trip of the year before getting out the skis!