A TYPICAL WEEK AT GARDA BIKE HOTEL

This is a draft of a typical week you can experience at GBH. Remember, you can arrive any day of the week, and the exact program will be tailored daily by our bike managers based on weather conditions, guest levels, traffic, and additional ride activities.You can choose your ride of the day from three different options based on your skills, fitness level, and how much effort you want to put in that day.

WIDE RANGE OF ROUTES

We have a wide range of routes from rolling to hills to mountains, from 40 to 150 km in length, to suit any type of cyclist, from those eager to spend the day on the bike exploring the big climbs, to those who want a scenic and leisurely passeggiata through our beautiful countryside.

PRE-PLANNED TOURS

All our tours are pre-planned and meant to be ridden with our guides. Our guides take secondary and lesser-known streets to avoid traffic and busy centers, whenever possible. Our smaller roads often don’t have signs, so the best way to ride is with an expert guide who knows the way… and in fact knows several ways!

SPECTACULAR BIG CLIMBS

On our spectacular big climbs you will often find professional cyclists and lots of avid athletes testing their fitness level. Some of these climbs have been included in the “Giro d’Italia” and in other prestigious races and events.


MONDAY

EAST LAKE AREA
WEST LAKE AREA

The classic ride starts with a scenic stroll through centuries-old olive trees, reaching Caprino for a relaxing coffee break before heading back. You’ll soak in the sun riding along the lake through charming towns.

The enthusiastic ride is one of our favorites! It features a ferry crossing to the west side of the lake, followed by a panoramic 6 km climb. On the return, you’ll ride through Valtenesi, encountering short, punchy climbs between picturesque villages.

The epic ride also includes the 6 km climb but approaches it from the southwest, with rolling hills and ascents through different towns.


TUESDAY

MONTE BALDO
COLLINE MORENICHE AREA

Monte Baldo Day is the most epic ride of the week!

Guests return year after year, eager to challenge themselves on Monte Baldo again. Choose the full epic ride or take a shortcut by van before tackling the legendary 25 km climb.

Prefer a less demanding option? The classic ride to Villafranca and Custoza offers stunning vineyard views and coffee at one of the region’s oldest cafés. Villafranca, with its charming castle, is steeped in history, which your expert guide will enthusiastically share.


WEDNESDAY

EAST LAKE AREA

Today, we explore the east side of the lake.

The classic ride offers a gentle climb to a breathtaking panoramic point overlooking the lake, followed by a return through the countryside.

For a more challenging day, choose the enthusiastic ride or the epic ride, featuring 1 to 3 climbs of 6–7 km each. Enjoy incredible views as you descend back toward the lake.


THURSDAY

WEST LAKE AREA
VERONA CITY

Verona, one of the most romantic cities in the world, is the star of the day. Known as the setting for Romeo and Juliet, it boasts rich history from the Roman era to World War II.

The classic ride takes you on smooth bike paths into the heart of Verona, where you can enjoy a gelato while admiring the Arena.

For a greater challenge, the Cavallino della Fobbia ride on the west side of the lake includes an 8 km climb with an 8% gradient. Ride straight from the hotel (epic version) or take a van to save your legs for the tougher sections.


FRIDAY

COLLINE MORENICHE

Today, we ride in the southern lake area, a region of rolling hills and beautiful towns.This area played a key role in Italy’s independence wars, and your guide will share fascinating stories about its history. Choose the ride you want to join based on pace and distance to match your energy levels. The day concludes with a well-earned gelato by the lakeside.


SATURDAY

COLLINE MORENICHE
LESSINIA MOUNTAINS

If you’re looking to visit one of Italy’s most beautiful towns, join the classic ride to Borghetto sul Mincio. You’ll ride through the tranquil Morainic hills along the Mincio River to this unforgettable gem.

The enthusiastic and epic rides head to the Lessini Mountains, a national park north of Verona. The epic ride includes one of the toughest climbs of the week: a relentless ascent to Passo Fittanze (1,500 m). The enthusiastic ride explores alpine meadows and timeless villages at lower altitudes.


SUNDAY

VALPOLICELLA WINE AREA

Valpolicella Day!

Ride through one of Italy’s most famous wine regions.The classic ride features a single climb to a stunning hilltop town with breathtaking views. For those seeking a challenge, the enthusiastic ride adds a second climb. If your legs still have energy after the Lessini Mountains, take on the epic ride, which includes four challenging climbs to test your climbing skills


FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTION

How experienced do I need to be, can I ride with you if I’m a novice cyclist?

We are a bike hotel, catering to avid cyclists and cycling athletes, specializing in guided group tours with professional guides. Preparation level is important, and we have set practical and physical training parameters for cyclists to join our excursions, whether in a group ride, or a private ride with an exclusive guide. These parameters are very important for the safety of all of our clients.

Our requirements include that all cyclists:

  • must be over 18 years old: Participation by older minors will be evaluated on a case by case basis by our bike manager
  • must be knowledgeable of and have experience on a road bike. Guests with bike rentals are responsible for proper use of the bike and are liable for damages in case of falls/crashes
  • must wear appropriate cycling dress (bibs, bike jersey, helmet and sunglasses) and cycling shoes (preferably) or training shoes.

The terrain around Lake Garda is characterized by curvy roads with climbs, some short and easy, but others long and hard. There are not many flat roads.

Therefore, all cyclists:

  • must be able to ride at least 40-50k.
  • must be able to manage climbs of at least 2 km in length and 5-6% average grade.

The areas in and around Lake Garda and Verona (especially between June and September) will have traffic. Our guides avoid the busier roads as much as possible, but on occasion, busier roads are the only option for a portion of the ride.

Therefore, all cyclists:

  • must be able to ride in traffic, adjacent to cars or other vehicles
  • must be comfortable riding through roundabouts, stopping at every stop sign and crossing intersections in traffic.

Cyclists meeting these minimum requisites are welcome join our group tours (in the CLASSIC group) or with a private guide ( Private Package ). If you don’t meet these requirements, but still want to ride, we recommend renting our city bikes to ride around Peschiera’s center. Or you can rent a hybrid, mountain or an electric bike, at a local partner shop and ride alone on our cycling paths or along the beaches on the lake. These are relaxing paths, that will take you for shorter, easier rides that can be done without a guide

Are there any traffic rules that a cyclist should know when riding on Italian roads?

Depending upon where you are used to riding we may have some different traffic rules, and perhaps a different riding style as well. For instance, many of our roads make use of roundabouts to keep traffic flowing, and cyclists must remain in the flow of traffic with cars in a roundabout.

We also ride on some narrow roads, so it is important to keep to the right, and be aware. Our guides know the proper and safe way to ride on our roads, so you should follow their lead. Before the ride, they will review hand signals and any things about the route that you should know. In Italy, cyclists are common on the roads, and cars are used to sharing the road with cyclists, but also expect cyclists to ride responsibly and with the flow of traffic. Always pay attention, follow your guide’s lead, and use caution as you would on any public road.

From 2021, the front and back lights on the bike have become mandatory.

Can I ride SOLO without a guide?

We highly recommend our special guided tours to all cycling guests because we think that if you ride unguided you may miss 80% of the beauty that the area around Lake Garda has to offer.

If you are not familiar with our cycling area you may unknowingly encounter:

  • very busy roads;
  • potentially dangerous main roads;
  • secondary roads in a poor state of repair;
  • very steep, challenging climbs;
  • some very dangerous descents;
  • find yourself lost in the middle of nowhere;
  • THE HOTEL DOES NOT PROVIDE GUEST AND BIKE PICK-UP SERVICE. If you cannot ride the bike back to the hotel, and don’t have other means of transportation, you will have to call a taxi.
Do we have to provide a medical certificate for the tours?

No. A medical certificate is only required for people participating in a Granfondo.

During the rides, does a support van follow us?

A van will follow on the more difficult rides, more than 100 km and with significant climbing (ex. Monte Baldo, Tremosine). Private tours can request a support van as part of their customized package.

Is lunch included during the ride?

Usually not. On occasion we might do a special ride to a wine cellar or an alpine hut where we can have lunch, and you’ll know this in advance. However, we always provide sandwiches/bananas to take with you, and you’ll have one or two stops on the ride to buy food and beverages.

Can I join your group rides any day of the week, or do I need to start riding with you on a specific day?

You can join the group rides any day of the week.

What happens if it rains? Do I lose a day of riding?

The Bike Manager or the guides may decide to cancel or change a ride because of poor riding conditions caused by the weather. They will base their decision on safety concerns. If there is “light” rain, we may decide to ride, but will change the route to ride along our cycle path to either Borghetto (50km) or to Mantova (90km).

These are flatter rides, with low traffic and no real climbs or descents. Sometimes we postpone the ride until later in the day, if it appears that there will be improvement in the weather conditions. If this occurs, we will alter the scheduled route, and modify the length of the ride along with the amount of climbing that was planned. If the weather is bad and the forecast does not call for improvement later in the day, the guides or the bike manager will cancel the ride. 

As an alternate activity, we can provide a transfer service with our van, to a destination selected by the bike manager, after consulting with the majority of cyclists. Departure and return times will be determined in advance and will be fixed. Public transportation is available for anyone that wants to depart late or leave early.

In the event that we have to cancel a ride, no refunds will be issued for the tour. However, the bike rental fee for the day of the canceled ride will be waived.

Is there a lot of traffic in your area?

We have carefully planned our routes, which are meant to be ridden with a local guide. Our guides will take you on secondary and lesser known, lightly traveled roads to avoid traffic and busy areas. However, traffic may be encountered on our roads leading in and out of the hotel, on the way to our route. As you would at home, pay attention, use caution and follow all safety rules when riding on roads with traffic.

Contact us and
request more info

    Our Partners

    book a call with our Bike Manager