Valsugana cycling path: an unmissable destination in Trentino
The Valsugana cycling route has received the prestigious Press Award assigned by the jury of journalists selected for the Italian Green Road Award, an event that took place at Cosmobike Show in Verona.
It’s worth mentioning that the Bike Tourism Italian Award aims to make the people aware of the routes and territories that best enhance cycling tourism, to promote more eco-sustainable travel in Italy.
Valsugana, a paradise for bike lovers
First of all, Vaslugana cycling path has two advantages: a route marked with great clarity and a high intermodality (in other words, the possibility of taking a train to return from where you started). In addition, we want to underline the beauty of the path that unravels in a unique landscape, between meadows and orchards, along waterways, passing through small towns, close to mountain lakes.
The Valsugana cycling path stretches for over 80 kilometers between Trentino and Veneto; from Pergine Valsugana you can reach Bassano del Grappa (Vicenza), after having cycled through the entire valley. This itinerary, almost all on the plain, is recommended to families with children, even because the many regional trains allow bike transport without a bag, but be careful because the places for the train are limited according to the season.
The cycling path follows the shores of Lake Caldonazzo between the SP1 and the railway and reaches Valcanover in a few hundred meters. Here the route winds on a splendid wooden walkway suspended over the water, the ideal point for unforgettable photo shots.
Continue along the lake for 3 kilometers up to Calceranica and proceed past the old mine (which can be visited during the summer), you reach Caldonazzo, where we suggest you see the beautiful church of San Sisto and the Corte Trapp, dating back to the XIII century. Then you can reach Levico to continue through the countryside towards the Brenta river to Bassano del Grappa.
If you want to make a stop in one of the “Bicigrill” that you meet along the way: it’s a refreshment station where you can find, in addition to food and drinks, support service for bikers in case of mechanical problems.
The cycle path crosses the Brenta river twice and, among the landscape attractions, we point out the ruins of Castel Selva, clinging to the left slope, while, looking at the top right, the majestic Forte Vezzena appears at the top of Pizzo di Levico (1.908 meters).
The fortress, built by the Austro-Hungarians at the end of the first decade of the XX century, rises in a panoramic position on the Valsugana and can be reached following a trekking route or by mountain bike.
The cycling path reaches the town of Novaledo which houses the ruins of Tor Quadra and then passes alongside the Church of San Silvestro. The church is a good place to stop and fill your canteen with fresh water. Then you can start again towards Marter which boasts the presence of the museum of the scarecrows.
The itinerary then allows you to visit Castel Telvana, one of the most beautiful hamlets in the valley. You pass through the historic center, under the characteristic houses overlooking the Brenta river. Even Napoleon Bonaparte visited this town. The permanent exhibition on the Great War in Valsugana and on the Lagorai set up in Borgo in the former Spagola mill is worth a visit.
We suggest you visit the fortress Castel Ivano, built by the Lombards, it has resisted the conquests that have followed over the centuries keeping its ancient splendor unaltered. After passing Grigno and Tezze di Grigno you enter Veneto, first reaching Piovega di Sopra, Piovega di Sotto and Cornale. In this stretch, the valley narrows and the bike path becomes even more suggestive passing under the rocks on a footbridge close to the water.
Soon the cycling path turns into a secondary road (the Ciclovia dei fiumi veneti) where many motor vehicles circulate at peak times. Bassano del Grappa is also renowned for the bridge Ponte degli Alpini and is a worthy reward for the effort of a long ride. From the town, it is also possible to continue on other itineraries that cycle through the Veneto.
Things to know about Valsugana cycling path
This bike path can be traveled all year round, but the months of April, May and June are particularly recommended. In the height of summer, it is more crowded and, on certain days, the temperatures are really high. September can also be an excellent time.
Regional trains are also equipped to carry bicycles even if in limited numbers. Throughout the year, except for July and August, each wagon can carry a maximum of two bicycles and bikes with trailers that exceed two meters in length are not allowed. In July and August, each train can carry 32 bicycles.
To travel with your bike on the train, you need to pay the ticket supplement which is 3,5 € per day.
From 2019, the first BiBox of Trentino cycle paths has been installed at Grigno: this is an information corner reserved for cyclists who travel the route.
Credits preview photo: www.visittrentino.info/it/guida/tour/pista-ciclabile-valsugana_tour_7025924
