The gravel-rich northern variant of the Graspo del Moro — short, scenic and packed with the white roads and vineyard tracks that make this territory special. From Castelnuovo del Garda the route loops north through the hills around Sandrà, following gravel paths, orchard roads and panoramic white roads before returning through cypress-lined lanes and a quiet country church.
At 14.5 km with just 66 m of elevation gain, this is the most compact route in the Graspo del Moro family — but also one of the most characterful. The high proportion of gravel and white roads makes it a genuine treat for gravel bike riders, while the short distance and gentle terrain keep it accessible for everyone.
The route leaves Castelnuovo del Garda downtown and almost immediately finds the first gravel — the Strada bianca tra meleti e vigneti, a white road winding between apple orchards and vineyard rows that sets the mood for everything that follows. The surface is classic South Garda: pale gravel, soft edges, the smell of the fields on either side.
The route climbs gently onto the Strada Bianca Panoramica — the most scenic section of the loop. From this elevated white road the views open up across the morainic hills toward the east, with the plain stretching away below and the hills of Sandrà rising ahead. It is the kind of view that makes you stop pedalling and just look.
Continuing north the route reaches the area around Sandrà, passing the Chiesa di San Pietro in Cariano — a small country church sitting quietly among the vines, the kind of place that you would never find unless the road took you there. Worth a brief stop.
The return follows the cypress trees of Via Fontanon back south toward Castelnuovo — a classic Veneto rural road that feels like a scene from another century. Tall cypresses, a straight gravel lane, vineyards on both sides and almost no one around.
Castelnuovo del Garda has several cafés in the centre — have a coffee before you start and you will be back in under two hours. The route passes through quiet countryside with no village bars along the way, so carry water with you.
Parking is available at the starting point at the sports center in Via Oregolo. Alternatively, the route can also be started directly from the lakeshore at Lido Campanello or Ronchi if you prefer to begin at the water and ride inland first.
A cycling destination in the south of Lake Garda. Routes, landscape and local experiences – explored by bike.
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