The longest route in the South Garda Bike Region collection — and the most rewarding. A full day on the bike that takes you south from Castelnuovo del Garda through white gravel roads and open countryside all the way to Villafranca di Verona, before picking up the Mincio cycling path for a scenic river return through Borghetto sul Mincio and Valeggio sul Mincio.
At 83 km with 449 m of elevation gain, this is a proper gravel adventure. The route combines the best of two different landscapes: the agricultural plateau and white roads heading south, and the flat, tree-lined river path on the return. Two very different rhythms, one unforgettable day.
The route starts at the parking area near Castelnuovo del Garda and heads south through the characteristic network of white gravel roads and quiet country lanes that define the South Garda landscape. The terrain here is gently rolling — fields, vineyards, hedgerows and the occasional farm — with a surface that rewards a gravel bike and punishes nothing.
As the route moves further south the landscape opens up and flattens. The countryside around Villafranca di Verona is wide and agricultural, crossed by long straight white roads that seem to go on forever. This is a part of the Veneto plain that most tourists never see — and that cyclists discover as one of the quiet pleasures of riding in northern Italy.
The route reaches the Mincio river at a cycle and pedestrian bridge crossing — a natural turning point and a good place to stop, eat and prepare for the return leg. The landscape shifts completely here. You leave the open plain and enter the green, enclosed world of the Mincio valley.
The return follows the Ciclabile del Mincio north — flat, traffic-free and beautiful. The river is always close, sometimes visible, sometimes hidden behind reeds and willows. The pace slows naturally and the kilometres pass easily.
The highlight of the return is Borghetto sul Mincio and Valeggio sul Mincio — two villages connected by the medieval Ponte Visconteo and the Porta dei Tortellini, the gateway to the town famous across Italy for its tortellini di Valeggio. If there is one place on this route to stop for a proper meal, this is it.
From Valeggio the route climbs gently back north through the Mincio hills before returning to Castelnuovo.
Villafranca di Verona has bars and cafés in the town centre — a good stop before the river crossing if you need to refuel before the return leg.
Borghetto sul Mincio is the must-stop of the ride. The village sits above the Mincio river with the Ponte Visconteo as its centrepiece — one of the most beautiful spots in the entire region. Several cafés and restaurants are open along the waterfront.
Valeggio sul Mincio is famous throughout Italy for its tortellini — fresh handmade pasta served in broth, traditionally made here since the Middle Ages. If you can time your stop for lunch, the Porta dei Tortellini area has multiple restaurants serving the local speciality. It is worth planning your ride around this stop.
The GPX route starts at the parking lot of the Castelnuovo sports center "Oregolo", but you can find plenty of parking spots along the entire route.
A cycling destination in the south of Lake Garda. Routes, landscape and local experiences – explored by bike.
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