The old Ponale track
Techincal Details
MTB
Suggested bike
602 m
Altitude difference
Open
Track status
33.4 km
Distance
Difficult
Difficulty
685
Maximum
Height
Suggested period
Gen
Feb
Mar
Apr
Mag
Giu
Lug
Ago
Set
Ott
Nov
Dec
This route embodies the contrast between two worlds: it begins in the alpine quiet of the Ledro Valley and descends progressively toward the monumental openness of Lake Garda. The Ponale Path is a journey of history, vertigo, and wonder, where every kilometer reveals a masterpiece of engineering carved into the living rock.
Ledro Valley: the first part of the route flows through serene landscapes, skirting the placid waters of the alpine lake. It is the phase where the pace is relaxed, but anticipation is already high. Leaving behind the green meadows and historic stilt houses, you head toward the mouth of the valley, preparing for the change in gradient and scenery that will dictate the rhythm and geometry of the descent.
The Ponale Gorge: this section acts as a visual and physical transition. The path narrows, following the course of the stream. The landscape becomes less open and more wild, with vertical walls beginning to close in around the route. It is the part of the journey where the atmosphere becomes more intimate, reminding you that the true panoramic revelation is yet to come.
The first tunnels: this is where the route starts to change identity. Delving into the tunnels carved into bare rock by pickaxe, you sense the sheer scale of the engineering feat. The passage becomes a physical and sensory experience, shifting between the damp twilight of the rock and sudden flashes of light framing the surrounding mountains. It is no longer just about descending, but about traversing the very history of the territory.
The overhanging viewpoint: this is the heart of the itinerary and the most iconic moment of the whole tour. Emerging from the narrow gorge, the view suddenly opens up, revealing a spectacular sheer drop over Lake Garda. It is a stretch that rewards the wait: the path, literally clinging to the limestone wall, offers a total aerial perspective, suspended between the deep blue of the water and the verticality of the mountain.
The panoramic hairpins: these passages mark the most spectacular sequence of the descent. Every curve feels like a checkpoint, a natural balcony inviting you to pause. The road continues to wind sinuously, changing perspective at every turn, while the visual horizon widens and the pure mountain air progressively mixes with the milder, Mediterranean breeze of the lake.
Tagliata del Ponale: reaching this imposing Austro-Hungarian fortification is the true visual and historical reward of the route. The structure, camouflaged and embedded in the rock wall, dominates the bay below. From here, the landscape becomes the absolute protagonist: the lake dominates the horizon, the mountains reflect in the water, giving the rider the sensation of being in a place suspended in time.
Arrival in Riva del Garda: after the final downhill stretch, the route does not simply end, it shifts tone. The grandeur of the rock walls gives way to the elegance of the lakefront. The entry into Riva del Garda brings you back to a more urban and vibrant dimension, closing a perfect circle that leads from the alpine quiet of Ledro to the vibrant energy of the Garda shores, closing a loop that connects the mountain back down to everyday roads.
