San Giovani al Monte da Riva del Garda – giro ad anello
San Giovani al Monte da Riva del Garda – giro ad anello
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San Giovani al Monte da Riva del Garda – giro ad anello
03:49
42.3km
1,330m
Mountain biking
The San Giovani al Monte da Riva del Garda – giro ad anello is a difficult mountain biking route that challenges you with significant climbs and rewards you with stunning views. This classic Lake Garda area loop covers 26.3 miles (42.3 km) and features an impressive 4378 feet (1334 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 3 hours and 49 minutes to complete. You will ride through varied terrain, from long asphalt sections during the ascent to beautiful dirt tracks and forest roads, passing charming villages like Varignano and Canale di Tenno. As you climb, you will see continuous panoramic vistas of Lake Garda and the Sarca Valley, with Monte Brione and Monte Rocchetta in the distance.
Planning your ride requires a very good level of fitness and advanced mountain biking skills due to the tough gradients and rocky, loose sections. Some parts may be steep enough that you need to dismount and push your bike. The route is known for its exceptionally taxing climbs, especially at the beginning. While the research does not specify trailhead access or parking details, it is a popular route, suggesting common starting points in Riva del Garda. Always check local conditions before you go, as terrain can vary.
What makes this trail stand out is its status as one of the top classic mountain bike routes in the Lake Garda region. The consistently stunning panoramic views are a major highlight, offering a significant reward for your effort. At San Giovanni al Monte, located around 1050-1200 meters above sea level, you will find a commanding vantage point and a popular refreshment stop at Malga San Giovanni. From this point, you can also connect to other trails, such as those leading to Rifugio San Pietro and Lake Tenno, if you wish to extend your adventure.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Includes a very steep uphill segment
You may need to push your bike.
After 11.4 km for 301 m
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
152 m
Piazza III Novembre and Torre Apponale, Riva del Garda
Highlight • Historical Site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
461 m
Riva del Garda Old Town and Torre Apponale
Highlight • Settlement
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6.99 km
View of Arco Castle
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7.73 km
Cycling bridge over the Sarca River
Highlight • Bridge
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8.08 km
Collegiate Church of St. Mary of the Assumption (Arco)
Highlight • Religious Site
The fourteen powerful buttresses that support the auditorium and the bell tower, which is 61 m high, give the church an original architectural aspect, which includes numerous valuable works and deserves a careful visit for its altars, their images and ornaments. Inside, the imposing nave contains eight side altars. The value of the painting by Domenico Brusasorci is inestimable.
Source: visittrentino.info/de/guide/gehenswertes/kirchen-wallfahrtskirchen/collegiata-di-s.maria-assunta_md_2430
Translated by Google •
Tip by
15.3 km
View of Lake Garda from Mandrea
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
19.7 km
Public Water Fountain
Public Water Fountain
21.4 km
S. Giovanni Refreshment
Highlight • Restaurant
Translated by Google •
Tip by
22.6 km
Prai da Gom Plateau
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
28.9 km
Public Water Fountain
Public Water Fountain
30.2 km
View of Lake Garda from Dos de la Cros
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
34.7 km
Tenno Castle
Highlight • Castle
Translated by Google •
Tip by
35.3 km
Path Through the Vineyards Above Lake Garda
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
42.3 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
21.2 km
9.26 km
5.90 km
3.88 km
2.01 km
< 100 m
Surfaces
30.6 km
4.28 km
3.53 km
3.32 km
620 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (1,170 m)
Lowest point (70 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Saturday 30 May
29°C
21°C
14 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 3.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
Very easy MTB route that leads to the small town of San Giovanni. Since you have already climbed most of the altitude there, the beautifully situated beer garden (in summer) is a great place to take a break. In January we preferred the restaurant with the wood-burning oven... Up to this point, we were only on tarmac. From San Giovanni onwards, you are on gravel for a longer period. In this sense, the route is also suitable for gravel bikes. On the descent back to Riva, you keep passing beautiful viewpoints.
This is my first time on Lake Garda with an eBike. It's really fun to go up with support. Today in partly hazy and partly sunny weather via Arco to S. Giovanni Al Monte. The old classic is always great. Wet leaves on wet rock/gravel are special too 😉
Today, there were plenty of steep climbs – but not alone! At about 200 meters above sea level, I met a mountain biker from Hanover who said, "Let's just talk away the elevation gain." No sooner said than done – it worked perfectly until about 770 meters above sea level. Then he turned right, I turned left… and the conversations were replaced by panting. From then on, it was on alone, turn after turn – up to the highest point at 1,150 meters. And wow, the view of Riva del Garda was worth every turn of the pedals. The descent? Fast, rough, breathtaking – in the best sense of the word. The tour? A mix of sweat, views, and an unexpectedly pleasant encounter somewhere on the slope. #MTBAdventure #LakeGardaTour #Torbole #Arco #RivaDelGarda #LagoDiGarda #ElevationChat #MTBBuddy #KomootMoments #MTBItalia #TrailLove #OnAlone #44km #1210m #SarcaRiver #ForkOfTheDay
Description of the tour: https://www.gps-tour.info/de/touren/detail.181891.html
Demanding tour with 14 kilometers of climb on asphalt.
No pain, no gain! 😅 Encouraging comment from a young mom right at the beginning: "You've got plans for something...". Indeed, that's what we had: San Giovanni al Monte. A sweaty climb, at the finish a small restaurant with a wonderful view. Relaxed way back via Calvola and Castello di Tenno to Riva. If you like action, follow Komoot's route planning 😉, everyone else follows the signs "744".
San Giovanni Al Monte from behind over Tenno - Ville Al Monte, extremely steep 20% and more - concrete ramp 😏😅
Via Arco up to San Giovanni. A good 1,000 meters of elevation gain in one go. Descent via Gorghi to Riva. Perfect conditions, weather much better than forecast.