" The Ballino tour is one of the classic road bike tours you can do when staying in the Garda Trentino area . I've lost count of how many times I've ridden it, but it's always a beautiful ride, both for the roads and the scenery. A few kilometers, but a lot of satisfaction." These are the words of Michele Malfatti , guide and cartographer-route planner in the Giudicarie Alps, in southwestern Trentino.
It's not the first time Malfatti has taken us on a bike ride with him. But this loop, starting and ending in Riva del Garda, is perfect for spring. Perfect for getting back into the swing of climbing, shaking off winter rust, and breathing in the mountain air and hairpin bends again.
Il Giro del Ballino, which takes its name from its symbolic pass, the Ballino Pass, often tackled by the Tour of Italy and from Tour of the Alps, revolves around the Monte Brento and Misone mountain ranges, two peaks of the Ledrensi Alps in the Giudicarie area. These mountains are lesser-known, but for this very reason, they remain wild and capable of maintaining a certain isolation that amplifies their charm.
Ballino and the Ledrensi Alps
The route begins in Riva del Garda, leaving the town center and heading towards the Ledro Valley. The initial climb follows one of the most picturesque roads in the area, with regular gradients that allow you to quickly find your rhythm. Before the tunnel leading to Ledro, turn left onto the SP37 road towards Tenno. The road winds through olive groves and leads to the village of Deva, which offers a first, sweeping view of Lake Garda.
Continuing, on the right, you'll notice Tenno Castle, a private manor in a commanding position. It's one of those spots where the landscape dominates, between the lake and the mountains. At this point, you'll be able to attack Ballino.
But first, there's perhaps the pearl of the entire tour: Lake Tenno. This body of water is known for its crystalline color, ranging from turquoise to deep blue thanks to the purity of its waters. Located at 570 meters above sea level, it represents a valuable ecosystem, protected since 2024 with the establishment of the Lake Tenno Local Nature Reserve . The surrounding environment, pristine and silent, helps make this passage one of the most iconic moments of the entire loop.
The lake gives rise to the stream that feeds the spectacular Varone Waterfall , which can be visited through the Varone Waterfall Cave Park: a system of paths, bridges, and tunnels that allows you to observe the waterfall nestled in the rock up close. Although this is a road bike loop, it's best to have suitable walking shoes. Certain stops are truly worth savouring.
Towards the Ballino Pass
After the lake, the road changes pace: a short downhill section introduces another climb through the woods, always with a steady gradient. You soon reach the village of Ballino, where a small square with a fountain offers a natural rest stop.
Resuming, the road continues with a gentle climb through fields and woods to the Ballino Pass, at 750 meters above sea level, the highest point of the route. The beauty of the Ballino is that it's a gentle and panoramic climb. From Riva del Garda, it's essentially just over 15 kilometers with an average gradient of 4,5 percent. And above all, it's quite steady. In short, the Ballino is perfect for cycle touring.
From here, a smooth descent begins, characterized by wide curves and long straights immersed in greenery. The descent ends in the Fiavè plain, a flat stretch home to an important archaeological site with remains of pile dwellings, now enhanced by a local museum.
The route continues through Stumiaga, Dasindo, and Vigo Lomaso, through an agricultural landscape that changes color with the changing seasons. It's one of the most relaxing sections of the tour, passing through cultivated fields and quiet roads. Now, a powerful green dominates: daisies and trees regaining vigor with their new buds.
In addition to Lake Tenno and the Varone Waterfall , the Comano Thermal Baths, a dermatological center of excellence at European level, are also worth a visit. From here, the road begins to climb again with regular gradients. In fact, it would be ideal to stay here before or after the ride.
Along the Sarca until the return
Are beauties over? Not at all. Leaving Comano, you take the Limarò cycle path, reclaimed from the old road now closed to traffic. It's one of the most spectacular stretches: the road is carved into the rock and overlooks the gorge of the Sarca River, which rises in the Adamello and flows into Lake Garda.
The cycle path leads downstream, skirting the Sarca River through vineyards and apple orchards, to Pietramurata. Here, the landscape changes abruptly with the Marocche, a vast area of glacial landslides that create an almost lunar landscape.
The route continues up and down to the former Fies power plant, now a contemporary art center, and continues toward Dro and Ceniga, where you'll find the bike path again. From here, simply continue along the bike path, which continues on a very slight and almost imperceptible descent, and you'll return to Riva del Garda.
Once back in Riva, this is the perfect time to indulge in a gastronomic break with traditional carne salada, a Trentino delicacy and a culinary symbol of the Alto Garda area.
Overall, the Ballino tour is 63 kilometers long and has just over 1.000 meters of elevation gain ( here's the route), making it, as we mentioned at the beginning, ideal for cyclists and for this time of year. It's neither difficult nor easy. It reaches manageable altitudes, yet still offers expansive and majestic views. All that's left to do is get on your bike!
