Garda by Bike means the best way to see the lake will be on two wheels!
Italy is on quite a tear of exciting new developments recently; first, the country announced plans for a hiking route to connect all their national parks, then a mountainside town sold off homes for one euro, and finally they invited us all to apply to be the director of Pompeii. Next up is a picturesque cycling route, which will allow tourists to whizz around the shores of gorgeous Lake Garda on bikes, stopping only for pizza and aperitivos, and you can bet we’re keen to try it!
Garda by Bike has been in the works for a while, with work beginning back in 2018, and inching closer to completion. When finished, there will be 140 kilometres of cycling paths to tackle, taking you all around Italy’s largest lake and crossing from Lombardy to Veneto and back.
Aside from a wealth of charming lakeside towns, you’ll also see the towering peak of Monte Baldo, the old fortress of Rocca Scaligera in Sirmione, and, naturally, the crystal clear waters of the lake, calling you in for a swim. Those with sturdy legs can also take a detour to fair Verona, where Shakespeare laid his tale in Romeo and Juliet.
Much like England’s massive coastal path (also due for completion in 2021), Garda by Bike will combine existing trails with new, purpose-built cycle routes. Perhaps the most dramatic of these is a stretch from Limone sul Garda heading north, where the trail ascends on a wood and steel walkway some 50 metres above the lake, offering mesmerising views across the spectacular freshwater lake.
It’s a true bucket list experience, and you don’t really even need a bike to do it – although it’ll take you quite a bit longer to complete on foot. Happily, there are no steep climbs on the route, and the path is wide enough for multiple cyclists to whizz past whilst you (sensibly, in my opinion) take your time to enjoy the views. Most excitingly, the route will also wind through manmade caves in the cliffs, which I think we can all admit is just darn cool. It certainly puts my commute to shame, at the very least!
Garda By Bike is set to open in 2021, so there’s still time to plan a trip.