Lake Garda Bike & Bus Service Connects Towns to Mont Baldo Trails
Trains, buses, and bicycles. A trio that has now become a summer classic for Lake Garda. All based on a simple yet successful idea that started as a bet five years ago.
Few means of transport are better than two wheels for discovering hidden corners of the Benaco inland areas, appreciating unique horizons, or savoring the scents of flowers swept by breezes. Not to mention thrilling descents along mountain trails all the way down to the beach of Lake Garda.
All this is possible without breaking a sweat to reach the starting point up on Baldo. Thanks to a package of opportunities developed through synergy between the Azienda di promozione turistica Riviera degli Olivi, the Province, the Provincia Trasporti Verona (Aptv), the Mountain Community, the Malcesine Cable Car, the Ugav, the Assogardacamping, the Istituzione Malcesine Più, the Garda Hoteliers Association, Valtellina Bike, and ten municipalities of the Baldo Garda territory, a user-friendly service for tourists has been devised.
The Bus & Bike Service
“Bus&Bike” is an initiative that allows cycling enthusiasts to use the bus to transport their two-wheeled vehicle to the top of Baldo and then descend back to the valley on their mountain bike.
This year again — from mid-June to mid-September — the two “Bus&Bike” routes connecting the lake with both sides of Monte Baldo will be active. The first route departs from Bardolino, passes through Garda, Torri, and Albisano, then reaches San Zeno di Montagna and Prada.
The second route starts from Garda (first trip at 9:30 a.m.), and after stops in Costermano, Caprino, and Spiazzi, reaches San Zeno and Novezza. Once at the terminus, all that remains is to detach the bike from the bus rack and launch into the downhill towards the lake.
The bus can accommodate around thirty people and fifteen bicycles, with a flat fare from all locations for the Bus&Bike service (8,000 lire), plus the regular passenger ticket fee. Last year, approximately one thousand people used this service.
Additionally, the Aptv offers groups a trailer that can be attached to the bus, capable of transporting about thirty mountain bikes at once.
Presentation and related events
The initiative was presented yesterday in a crowded council chamber at the Scaliger Castle by the Commissioner of the Apt Marco Zaninelli, the vice president of the Provincia Trasporti Valerio Andreoli, and the provincial councilor Davide Bendinelli, alongside Mayor Alberto Vedovelli.
Also present was Olympic mountain-bike champion Paola Pezzo, who showcased the second edition of the Granfondo Paola Pezzo, scheduled for April 21 and 22 in Garda.
The Boscochiesanuova athlete, earning worldwide recognition for her remarkable career (she has won everything: Olympics, World Championships, European Championships, and World Cup), revealed that her future dream is to teach and share her passion for mountain biking with young people.
“There are not yet definitive projects with the school system, but something important is about to be born,” said the rider, working to make the second Garda event unforgettable.
“Last year, there were six hundred participants. This year, the number will be significantly higher.”
