A bike ride around Lake Garda along safe cycle paths that are ideal for traveling with children, too. If you like the idea and want to discover the lake on two wheels, here are some hints for a bike ride on Lake Garda, suitable for cyclists of all ages.
MINCIO CYCLE PATH
The Mincio cycle path is certainly the most known cycle path around Lake Garda and is suitable for traveling with children, as it is a separate and totally flat cycle path. The cycle path is about 43 km long and along it there are many places to explore, where children can get off and play.
It starts from Peschiera but, even before getting on the bike, a trip to the beautiful playground of the town can’t be missed (at this link the story of the playgrounds to be marked around Lake Garda). Little train and slides overlooking the lake will make the beginning of the ride even more fun.
The cycle route, well signposted here, leaves Porta Brescia and, in a few minutes of pedaling, you leave behind both the lake and the Cantarane Bastion, one of the bastions that make up the Fortress of Peschiera, Unesco heritage, and the route begins along the Mincio.
The journey in this first part of the ride is pleasant and without difficulties, the landscape is very green and shady… The trees are reflected in the water of the river inhabited by swans, ducks and various birds that appear among the reeds characterize a painting that deserves to be immortalized.
About 13 km from Peschiera, you will find one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and a stop here is a must: Borghetto sul Mincio. Borghetto is an ancient fortified village on the river with a small center that is certainly unique, characterized by bridges and mills.
Here you can stop for an ice cream break, to taste the famous Tortellini of Valeggio or more simply to admire the characteristic beauty of the village and the charm of the ancient Ponte Visconteo.
From Borghetto you can then opt for various alternatives: you can return to Peschiera if you have small children who have already traveled many km (26 km in total considering round trip), you can also decide to visit the wonderful Parco Giardino Sigurtà, which is less than 2 km from Borghetto, or continue for another 30 km, until you reach Mantua, the final stage of the Mincio cycle path.
The second part of the route (from Borghetto sul Mincio to Mantua) is less shaded (therefore it is better to avoid it on the hottest days), always rather simple and, at Pozzolo, moves away from the river and continues along the canals of the countryside at the gates of Mantua.
The triumphal arrival in beautiful Mantua takes place by pedaling between the town's three lakes along a partly cycle-pedestrian and very scenic bridge.
The crenellated towers and the Gonzaga palaces that draw the skyline of the city are approaching and, for the children who have reached the finish line, there will be an opportunity to play.
Where? At the Science Park: a beautiful green area located on the shore of Lago di Mezzo, which presents various interactive installations (the wireless telephone, the organ and the gyroscope), created with the aim of bringing young visitors closer to some fascinating scientific themes.
To return from Mantua to Peschiera, we recommend that you ask for the various options at the Peschiera tourist office: in spring-summer there is also a bus service with bicycle transport for the return to Peschiera, upon reservation.
MALCESINE-BRENZONE CYCLE PATH
The cycle path that runs along the beach and allows you to admire the lake in all its splendor begins in Navene (north of Malcesine) and continues south to Brenzone sul Garda, passing through the bays of Val di Sogno and Cassone. A completely easy and safe cycle path, ideal for traveling with children, too.
The total journey considering round trip is 32 km and offers the opportunity to discover delightful lakeside villages and lesser-known corners of Lake Garda that are truly exceptional.
The square of Brenzone sul Garda is a small jewel: a very characteristic setting where you can get off the bike and stop even just for a coffee.
In Brenzone there is a small playground for children with slide and swings, but even more beautiful and worthy of note is the Malcesine playground, overlooking the Rocca, which deserves a stop for a play break during the bike ride.
BIKE PATH IN LIMONE DEL GARDA
In 2018 in Limone del Garda the first part of the Garda cycle route was inaugurated, a path over-looking the lake.
This first section is about 2,5 km long, can be done by bike or on foot (given the very short length, we recommend that you also consider the option of walking it) and is literally suspended over the lake.
A road overhanging the waters of Lake Garda, nestled between the mountains, elegant and very suggestive from a landscape point of view, which deserves to be traveled, even if it is often crowded and it is not exactly convenient to reach it.
There are no parking lots near the start of the cycle path, so the advice is to leave the car in Limo-ne and from there reach the path, which is located about 500 meters from the town center.
Along the way there is also a simple wooden playground hidden among the olive trees, to always give moments of fun to little travel companions.
