The southwestern Trentino offers intense landscapes especially in autumn and spring, when beech forests and broadleaf woods explode with life and color. This itinerary starts from the Alchimia WellResort in Comano Terme and offers excellent views over the Valle dei Laghi and Lake Garda on one side, and the Brenta and Adamello ranges on the other. Monte Casale requires effort to reach, but will reward the most determined riders.
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Departure from Comano Terme
Did you know that in Trentino there is a mountain from which you can see several of the province’s most famous lakes at the same time?
The starting point of this route is the Alchimia WellResort in Comano Terme, a bike hotel where you’ll be welcomed by Denis, the outdoor manager who will suggest the best trails in the area and, if you wish, guide you through this valley where peace and silence reign supreme.
You reach the bridge over the Duina stream in the heart of Ponte Arche, and after refilling your bottle at the fountain, instead of crossing the bridge you turn left onto the provincial road. The climb will warm up your legs and before reaching Poia you turn left across a meadow to head directly toward the hamlet of Comano.
Just after the church, turn right: the S.A.T. arrows point toward Capanna Don Zio. There are two access routes to Monte Casale: the first, paved, climbs with switchbacks further north, while the one we take is a forest road leading above Lundo.
Towards the Capanna Don Zio Pisoni hut
Soon you’ll find yourself surrounded by a beech forest already turning autumn colors, as the asphalt gives way to dirt. The climb continues steadily, and we peek into the undergrowth to see if among the many mushrooms from recent days there might be a fresh porcino. We briefly meet the asphalt of the road coming up from Lundo for a few hundred meters before turning onto the Naone forest road.
After about eight kilometers of pedaling we reach the ridge and take a trail that already rewards us with postcard-like views over the Valle dei Laghi from the Duson area. The trail starts out easy, then becomes rough and uneven. With an e-bike and some technique you can stay in the saddle, while with a regular MTB you’ll need to push for a few dozen meters uphill.
If you prefer, you can avoid it by staying on the road to the left before reaching the ridge, though you’ll still need to push your bike for a few dozen meters to get back onto the Panoramic Road leading to Casale.
In no time we reach the summit meadows of Monte Casale and a final concrete ramp brings us to the Rifugio Don Zio Pisoni, where we stop to enjoy a delicious carrot cake.
The panorama of 5 lakes from Monte Casale
We pedal again for just a few dozen meters, always across open meadows, until we reach the summit cross, at 1631 m.
From here the view is breathtaking, even if some clouds hide the Adamello peaks. Below, however, you can admire the mirrors of Lake S. Massenza, Lake Toblino, and Lake Cavedine. Further south the horizon is closed by Lake Garda. To the north, in order to admire Lake Molveno nestled in the valley between the Brenta Dolomites and Monte Gazza, you need to move slightly away from the cross to the highest point.
A pleasant loop at altitude first goes from the cross to the top of Casale, then descends back to Rifugio Don Zio and continues into the woods.
Along the ridge to San Giovanni al Monte
Closing the short loop with a fun trail, we rejoin the Panoramic Road for a few meters before leaving it by following the MTB signs to the left. A quick descent brings us back onto the ridge trail we had taken for a few hundred meters earlier. This time, however, we follow it south to reach first località Vendesi and then the meadows of Granzoline with another gentle climb on the road.
The trail descends again toward Malga Val Bona and Cadregoni, leaving Monte Brento behind, where the spectacular Marocche di Dro originated — the largest post-glacial landslide in Europe.
Monte Brento is also one of the most famous spots in Europe for wingsuit jumps.
Other gentle ups and downs bring us near San Giovanni al Monte, particularly at località Marcarie, where we stay at altitude heading further south.
At Rifugio San Pietro
The dirt road starts descending along the slopes of Monte Biaina toward Malga Tovo. At a hairpin with a crucifix, you’ll get the first close-up view of Upper Garda and its lake.
A couple more hairpins downhill lead us to località Treni, where the day’s final short climb begins, taking us to the wonderful Rifugio S. Pietro, with its open view over Upper Garda and the Busa.
At the refuge, with its small chapel, we allow ourselves another break, soaking up the gentle autumn warmth like lizards in the sun before the final descent.
Final descent into Val Lomasona
From Rifugio San Pietro we retrace our steps for a few hundred meters before continuing along the Vedesé road and entering the valley.
The Val Lomasona is a pleasant surprise, and the trails at the foot of Monte Misone are never too technical, though you’ll need to pay attention in some short sections due to roots, which can become slippery when damp.
After località Le Porcil, where there’s also a nice picnic area, the road turns back to asphalt. You pass the Lomasona peat bog and soon reach Vigo Lomaso, from where there are several options to return to Ponte Arche.
In our case, we choose to ride through the countryside to Campo Lomaso and then quickly descend to the banks of the Duina stream.
Bike Experience at Alchimia WellResort
At the end of the loop, I leave the bike safely in the hotel’s bike room and treat myself to a couple of hours in the Wellness Center, with Giulia guiding me through a path of sauna and cryotherapy. My muscles thank me, and I finish the day with an excellent dinner, ready to ride again the next day.
If you want to replicate my experience and treat yourself to an autumn getaway, here you’ll find the Bike Experience offer from Alchimia WellResort with bike tour, overnight stay, massage, and cryotherapy.
Alchimia WellResort
Stay in Comano Terme
