737. Lago di Tenno

The start of the route is located on the lakeside of Riva del Garda, in front of the Congress building. (Around the corner from the Garda Trentino Tourist offices). Start along the pedestrianised area of ​​the Lake Side - Punta Lido, in the direction of Torbole. This area is very popular with people of all ages so caution is advised whilst riding through. Immediately after passing over the Varone torrent you will meet the first sign of route 737, follow it to turn left, taking the cycle path.

Always well guided by signs, follow the cycle path to cross the main road of Viale Rovereto and other secondary roads, until you reach the village of Varone. Near the built-up area the cycle path stops, where you will take a short stretch of normal road. At the stop sign keep right towards the church. In this area there are no signposts, but the navigation is not too difficult. When you reach the church, take the left turn and continue on the road. At the next opportunity turn right toward the intersection with Via Venezia. Turn left here following the road until you reach Hotel Varone. The 737 route is not signposted here, however you can make use of the S.A.T signs with directions to Tenno.

Just past the hotel, take the right fork up to join the main road to Tenno. Cross it continuing your ascent onto Via dei Capitelli, where you will find the route signage. The gradient is quite challenging up to the village of Cologna, which you traverse to once again meet the main road to Tenno. Travelling uphill, for a few hundred metres you will meet the start of the cycle path to Volta di No. Once in Volta di No, continue straight near to a hairpin bend and, after a few dozen meters, turn left, following the route signs. Still climbing, you will find yourself on the beautiful ‘Pil’ road. The terrain here is at times a bit rough but the gradient isn’t too bad and the view is pleasant to say the least.

At the end of this gravel path, you’ll meet a secondary asphalt road - follow it round to pass Tenno Castle on your left. Continuing on the main road to turn right, and carry on climbing up two hairpin bends. Cross the carriageway and enter the adjacent dirt / gravel road on the right, leading to Ville al Monte.

Here there is a church with a fountain, if you need to refresh your water bottles. Meeting the main road again, cross it continuing to the left. After a few metres, turn right following the signs for the village of Borgo di Canale. Follow the road until you find the signage for the 737 route, then turn left as you reach the village. There are no directional signs in the narrow alleyways of the village. And up until recently, there was actually a ban on bicycles in this historic location: therefore be ready to moderate your speed.

Leave the village by taking the alley before the small square and then continue straight on the old gravel road. At the next fork in the road - the official route would take you left. However, if you would like to visit Lake Tenno, simply continue straight until you see the body of water in front of you.  At the sight of the lake you can choose whether to continue on the forest road that runs alongside it from above, or descend away from it. In any case, once you arrive near the shoreline you will see signs banning the use of bikes in the area. Please respect the local regulations and dismount your bike. If you have chosen to visit the lake, in order to return to the main route simply retrace your tracks back to the directions and continue to follow them.

Reaching the car park near to the main road, turn left to take the cycle path that runs along the provincial road toward Pranzo. At the end of the cycle path, keep right following the road, and at the next junction, keep right again towards Campi. After a few dozen meters - before meeting the tunnel, cross the road and take the gravel path on your left that leads to the traffic lights of Pranzo. Here keep to the right, passing through the narrow road of the built up area. Shortly after having crossed the left hairpin bend, follow the directions turning right on to a secondary road. Once you find the provincial road again, follow it downhill. After two hairpin bends, on a long straight, take the dirt road on your left which leads to Deva. Continue along a short stretch of the provincial road and take another two dirt / gravel sections on your left. In the locality of Dom, near to a hairpin bend, keep right as indicated, continuing on to a secondary road until San Giacomo. Turning right at the stop sign on via Ardaro, you will arrive back into Riva del Garda, the route starting point.

Note:

It was only recently that the signs banning bicycles in the municipality of Tenno were taken down. For a more scenic view of Tenno when you pass the pre-mentioned castle: instead of taking the described route, keep right instead for the longer road through the village. This variant allows you to appreciate your surroundings while avoiding the two hairpin bends on the main road. You are led directly to the second hairpin, whereafter it is necessary only to cross the road and take the gravel track to continue along the 737 route.

The same goes for the village of Pranzo, reaching the traffic light mentioned in the description of the route, you can cross the road and descend the characteristic alley instead. Follow it until you meet the road that crosses the village and follow it downhill. After passing the church, you will meet a stop sign on the road, turn right and go up for a few meters. Cross the road and take the old road on your left, rejoining route 737.