Garda Hard 2027 | Bike4fun | Lake Garda Road Cycling Challenge

6 nap

Period

2027 tavasz

Date

4/5, 5/5

Difficulty

Hotel

Accomodation

Kisbusz

Utazás

Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) is Italy’s largest lake and one of the most popular holiday destinations in northern Italy. Its Mediterranean atmosphere, towering mountains and crystal-clear blue waters make it a place you simply cannot miss. The region is just as appealing to active travellers: there are countless excellent trails, cycling roads and routes around the lake.

You can cycle all the way around Lake Garda (approximately 150 km), but heavy traffic makes that less enjoyable than it sounds. For the best cycling, we head away from the busy shoreline and into the mountains, where the roads and scenery are even more spectacular. That is exactly what this tour is about! We will ride along the lake as well, but our main focus will be the surrounding mountains, unforgettable viewpoints and superb roads.

This is a genuine challenge for strong, determined amateur road cyclists who enjoy long climbs and riding in the mountains. We will stay in a hotel near Riva del Garda, at the northern end of the lake, with breakfast included.

Travel

We travel from Budapest to Italy and back by minibus, which is also available for local transfers. Independent travel arrangements are possible.

When?

20–25 May 2027 (Thursday–Tuesday) – Places are still available!

A less demanding version of this tour is also available in September.

Prices for 2027

Standard price: EUR 1,200

Returning guest price: EUR 1,160 (How do you become a returning guest?)

Club member prices (How do you join the club?):

Aluminium / Carbon members: EUR 1,160
Titanium members: EUR 1,080

Group size

5–7 participants. Minimum group size: 5.

What if the tour is fully booked?

If the tour is full but you are especially keen to join, please get in touch. We may be able to accommodate one extra rider; otherwise, we can put you on the waiting list. If demand is high enough, we may organise another group for the same dates. Contact us here!

Strada della Forra, the famous winding road

Booking and payment

To book, complete the registration form (on the right, or halfway down or near the bottom of the page on mobile). You do not need to pay when completing the form: at this stage you are simply registering and providing your details. Please note that the form has several pages. After submitting successfully, you should receive an automatic confirmation email. We will then send the deposit payment request to the email address you provided and keep you informed of the next steps.

Need help?

How do I book? (FAQ)
Do you have questions, or is anything unclear? Call or email us and/or subscribe to our newsletter!

Practical information

Deposit: 40% of the total tour price (payable after online registration and after we contact you). Your booking is not valid until the deposit has been paid. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
Booking deadline: 15 April 2027.
Departure / arrival: Budapest.

Included in the price

Return minibus travel
Bike transport and bicycle assembly
Accommodation in a comfortable hotel with a swimming pool
Hotel breakfast
Tourist tax
Guided rides
Maps

Not included in the price

Lunch and dinner
Personal travel and cancellation insurance
Optional activities
Entrance fees

About the tour

Lake Garda enjoys a remarkable setting between the Alps and the Po Valley. Its climate is a transition between alpine and Mediterranean: Mediterranean plants thrive here, spring arrives relatively early and the mild weather lasts well into the year. The lake is inviting, although its water can be fairly cool, and its shores are lined with beaches, hotels and campsites. It is an ideal destination for relaxation or an active holiday. The scenery is outstanding, with steep cliffs and high peaks, especially around the northern shore.

Our route focuses primarily on the roads in the surrounding mountains. We will ride through the striking Sarca Valley, framed by sheer cliffs, visit Tremosine, a village once isolated by the mountains, and tackle the world-famous Strada della Forra, described by Winston Churchill as the eighth wonder of the world. Its rock-cut tunnels, narrow bends and breathtaking views make it one of Italy’s most spectacular gorge roads. We will also climb the iconic Monte Baldo and cross several beautiful mountain passes. And, of course, we will see and ride the completed sections of the famous cycle path planned around Lake Garda – although only a few kilometres have been built so far.

This is a demanding tour with plenty of kilometres and climbing, rewarded by wonderful views and exceptional cycling roads. It is designed for road cyclists looking for a real challenge and keen to discover this area.

Your bike

Participants ride their own road bikes. A drivetrain with at least 2 × 10 gears is required. We will ride several roads featured in the Giro d’Italia, or parts of them, and climb some of the region’s finest passes. A reliable drivetrain and sufficiently low gearing are therefore essential.

Difficulty

The riding is rated difficult (5/5). Riders with average sporting fitness should only attempt it if they have strong endurance, determination and/or significant cycling experience. More information: How difficult are our tours? Is this tour right for you?

For any other questions, please read our FAQ, email us or call us.

The cycle path near Limone sul Garda runs alongside the main road

Day 1: Travel to Lake Garda

We leave Budapest early in the morning by minibus and travel to Riva del Garda.

Day 2: Lake Cavedine and the Sarca Valley

A roller-coaster ride along quiet roads. From Riva we head north towards Lake Cavedine, following the Sarca Gorge cycle path. Beyond the lake, scenic cycle routes and the Sarca River valley offer magnificent views and a steady climb. We continue towards Stenico, riding along a cycle path as far as Ponte Arche. Two passes await us: Passo Duron and then Passo Ballino, neither of which is especially difficult. After the second pass, the route is downhill all the way back to our accommodation.

Distance: 85 km; climbing: approximately 1,470 m.

Day 3: Tremosine and Strada della Forra

Today we visit one of Lake Garda’s unmissable highlights: the SP38, better known as Strada della Forra. This spectacular panoramic gorge road winds through an extraordinary landscape, with narrow sections, tunnels carved into the rock and breathtaking views as it climbs towards Tremosine. The village was isolated for a long time before improved road access was built. Winston Churchill famously called Strada della Forra the eighth wonder of the world.

The climb towards Tignale offers a completely different perspective over the lake – just as spectacular, perhaps even more so. The route features two climbs, neither excessively steep, but bike lights are essential.

Distance: 74 km; climbing: approximately 1,800 m.

Day 4: Monte Velo – Santa Barbara

Three climbs, each tougher than the last, make this a classic route for riders who love climbing. Beautiful but demanding Monte Velo is one of the most popular ascents around northern Lake Garda, and its descents are just as enjoyable. The first climb is almost 15 km long and leads to Passo Santa Barbara at 1,170 m above sea level, with an average gradient of 7.2%.

After Santa Barbara, we descend briefly towards Ronzo-Chienis, cross Passo Bordala and descend again before heading towards Monte Bondone. Here comes our major ascent of the day: 18 km averaging around 7%, with steeper sections. The pass lies at roughly 1,600 m, after which we descend through the Cavedine Valley and return to our accommodation. Three climbs, three enjoyable descents and one tough day in the saddle.

Distance: 100 km; climbing: approximately 2,700 m.

Day 5: Monte Baldo

This ride captures the essence of Lake Garda: steep descents, long climbs and outstanding views. Our destination is Rifugio Graziani at an altitude of around 1,600 m. The first half of the ride is almost completely flat, following the eastern shore beside the lake’s deep-blue waters. Then, just as the distance starts to make itself felt in your legs, the long climb up Monte Baldo begins, with sections steeper than 10%, followed by an equally long descent. Numerous viewpoints offer spectacular panoramas of Lake Garda and the Adige Valley.

Distance: 116 km; climbing: approximately 2,300 m.

Santuario Madonna della Corona, a sanctuary built into the cliffs

Day 6: Journey home

We travel back home today.

Accommodation is in a comfortable three-star hotel with a swimming pool in Riva del Garda, in twin rooms.