Lakes, pastures and mountains – Dolomiti di Brenta Bike Expert

West of the Adige River lies a true paradise for hikers and mountaineers, which in winter turns into one of the most popular ski areas in Italy: the Brenta Dolomites. This striking Dolomite group is part of the Adamello-Brenta Natural Park and has been recognised for the uniqueness and beauty of its landscape, as well as for its geological importance, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rock formations that characterise it, the valleys and villages that surround it, and a landscape made up of enchanting alpine lakes, powerful waterfalls, ancient glaciers and centuries-old forests, make it one of the most evocative corners not only of the Rhaetian Alps but probably of the entire Trentino region.

The itinerary I propose to you is the Dolomiti di Brenta Expert, a ring of about 170 kilometres (106 mi) that develops around this Dolomite group. Starting from some of the most iconic valleys in Trentino – such as Val di Sole and Val di Non – the route takes you almost to the summit of Monte Peller and Cima Brenta. This is the link to the official website of the itinerary: dolomitibrentabike.it/en/mountain-bike-tours/dolomiti-di-brenta-bike-expert

For this Collection, I have chosen the village of Stenico as the starting point and divided the itinerary into four stages of between 40 and 50 kilometres (25 - 31 mi) each. Along the route, you pass through numerous villages ready to welcome you with a hot meal and a comfortable room to spend the night. However, on a couple of occasions, you will cycle several kilometres away from villages and into remote natural landscapes. I, therefore, advise you to study the route carefully before setting off if you choose to plan differently to this Collection.

Some sections of the route are on high mountain trails and demand good technical ability. In addition, it’s useful to have some familiarity with basic repairs: knowing how to repair or replace an inner tube, for example, will get you out of trouble in the event of a puncture far from town. As for the choice of bicycle, I recommend you opt for a mountain bike with a fork with at least 100 millimetres of travel. A higher excursion or the choice of a full-suspension mountain bike will only increase safety and riding pleasure.

The best time to embark on this adventure is from June to September, as during the other months it may be uncomfortable to ride in the cold and snow. Moreover, the Peller Refuge, where the second stage ends, is usually open from mid-June to mid-September. It’s always a good idea to ascertain in advance when accommodation is open.

To reach Stenico, you can use a car or public transport. The car is undoubtedly the most comfortable and fastest means of transport. If you prefer to travel by public transport, you can reach Trento by train and here take bus B201 to Ponte Arche. Here you can take bus B208 or cycle to Stenico, which is about 3.5 kilometres (2 mi) away. You can find information on public transport in Trentino here: trentinotrasporti.it/en.