The lakes of the Valsugana are wonderful to discover in the saddle, slowly and without rushing. Here the loveliest rides are also the simplest: flat stretches beside the water, beach stops and the pleasure of moving around without a car. You do not need to be fit, all you need is a bicycle and the wish to look around. In this guide we tell you about three easy rides among the lakes, telling you honestly what is truly flat and suitable for children and what asks for a little more care. We at Italy Holiday have been welcoming guests in this area for a long time, and these are the rides we would recommend to a friend arriving with the family.

If you want to understand how the path that links these lakes works, you will find everything in our guide in bici lungo la Valsugana. And if you are only after water and relaxation, read our spiagge e laghi balneabili of the area too.

1. From Caldonazzo to Levico, the easy stretch for everyone

The simplest ride is not a loop around a lake, but the piece of cycle path that links Lago di Caldonazzo to Lago di Levico. It is a short stretch, about four kilometres, and it is the most accessible part of the whole Valsugana cycle path. The surface is entirely asphalt, the path is about three metres wide on average and the route is almost flat, with only the slightest gradients. You ride among apple orchards and fields, away from the cars, passing from one shore to the other in a short time.

It is the ideal ride for absolute beginners, for families with small children and even for those towing a child trailer. Along the way you find bike hire and refreshment points, and at several stations in the valley you can load your bike onto the regional train and return to your starting point without retracing the route. Bike spaces on the train are limited and change with the season, so it is best to check the up-to-date conditions of the service in advance. Lago di Caldonazzo, where the path begins, is one of the warmest lakes in southern Europe, with the water around 24 degrees in summer: a swim before or after the ride is almost a must.

2. The loop around Lago di Levico, easy but with some care

Lago di Levico has a long, narrow shape between wooded hills, recalling a small northern European fjord. It is the only lake in Trentino awarded the Blue Flag, a recognition given for the quality of the water and services and for its careful environmental management. Its waters are clear and mild, and on the shores you find tree-lined free beaches and equipped areas where you can stop. Riding the loop around the lake is a beautiful way to see it from every side.

Here, though, it is worth being precise: the full loop around the lake is almost entirely flat, but it is not all on a paved, separated cycle path. It alternates stretches of cycle path with low-traffic secondary roads and woodland gravel tracks, cool and pleasant in summer. It remains an easy route within reach of children, but in some spots you ride close to cars, so it is best to keep the youngest near you and proceed calmly. For maximum peace of mind, the flat, protected stretch between Caldonazzo and Levico stays the most serene choice.

3. The loop around Lago di Lavarone, the calmest one to ride

Climbing onto the plateau, at about 1,080 metres of altitude, Lago di Lavarone awaits you, a small karst lake with crystal-clear waters, surrounded by woods. It too holds the Blue Flag, with two equipped beaches and a calm, intimate atmosphere. The loop around the lake is really short and flat: it is completed in a short time, alternating paved and gravel stretches, and it is so quiet that you can do it even at a slow pace and even with a pushchair. For riding around the lake with small children without a worry, it is perhaps the most serene of the three.

The only thing to keep in mind is getting there: the lake sits high up, so reaching it from the valley floor by bike means tackling a serious climb, suited only to the fit. The comfortable solution is to drive up to the plateau and save the riding for the loop around the lake and the flat trails nearby. Once up there, the fresh air and the silence of the woods do the rest, and it is a lovely alternative to the warmer lakes of the valley floor on the hottest summer days.

A practical tip before you set off

The services along the lakes, from bike hire to the beaches and the bike transport on the train, change their hours and availability depending on the season. Before planning your day, check the up-to-date information on the official websites, so you set off with peace of mind and find everything ready at the right time. For children, a helmet and a few beach stops make the ride even nicer.

Where to stay to cycle among the lakes

The best way to enjoy these rides is to have a home of your own near the lakes, where you can leave your bikes in the evening and set off again in the morning without a worry. With Italy Holiday you find carefully chosen stays in the lake area of the Valsugana, around Caldonazzo, Levico and Pergine, designed for families and travellers who want comfort and calm a short ride from the water.

Discover where to stay near the lakes of the Valsugana and book your stay with Italy Holiday: your ideal base to ride, swim and explore the valley at your own pace.

Partner digitale per proprietari di case vacanza dal 2022.