There is a simple and beautiful way to discover the Valsugana: hop on a bike and let its cycle path guide you. The route runs almost always flat, on asphalt, beside the lakes and along the river, and it passes right in front of the loveliest places in the valley. You do not need to be fit: all you need is a bicycle and the wish to ride at an easy pace. In this guide we tell you what the cycle path is like and what to see along the way, based only on places we truly know. We at Italy Holiday have been welcoming guests in this area for a long time, and this is the itinerary we would recommend to a friend.
The Valsugana Cycle Path, what it is really like
The Valsugana Cycle Path is a route about 80 kilometres long that starts at Lago di Caldonazzo and follows the valley down to Bassano del Grappa, crossing Trentino and Veneto. For most of the way it follows the Brenta river, among apple orchards, fields and small villages.
It is an easy cycle path, made for everyone. The surface is almost entirely asphalt, about three metres wide on average, and the route is flat, with very gentle gradients. This makes it perfect for families with children, even with a child trailer in tow, and for anyone who simply wants to enjoy the scenery without effort. In 2020 it received a national award as one of the greenest and best-kept cycle paths in Italy.
One of the most convenient things is that the Valsugana railway runs parallel to the path for almost its whole length. The regional trains on the line carry bicycles, so you can ride in one direction and return to your starting point by train. Bike spaces are limited and change with the season, so it is best to check the up-to-date conditions of the service in advance. The path starts at Lago di Caldonazzo, near Pergine Valsugana, and continues along the shores towards Calceranica al Lago, Caldonazzo, Levico Terme and then down to the valley floor.
What to see while cycling along the Valsugana
The lovely thing about this cycle path is that it takes you from one place to the next without ever using the car. In a few pedal strokes you go from a lakeside beach to a historic park, and on to a wood full of art. Here are the stops we recommend along the way.
1. Lago di Caldonazzo, the starting point
The cycle path begins right here, on the shores of Lago di Caldonazzo, and it is a start that lifts your spirits at once. It is a large lake set in the green of the Valsugana, and it is one of the warmest lakes in southern Europe: in summer the water reaches around 24 degrees, perfect for a relaxing swim before or after the ride.
Its beaches hold the Blue Flag and the lake is swimmable from early May to late September. Besides swimming, here you can sail and try SUP, canoeing and windsurfing. Cycling along the shore you find shaded stretches, jetties and spots to stop and look at the water. It is the ideal way to begin the journey.
2. Lago di Levico, a fjord along the route
A little further on, near Levico Terme, the path skirts Lago di Levico. It has a long, narrow shape between wooded hills, recalling a small northern European fjord. It is one of the Trentino lakes awarded the Blue Flag, a recognition given for the quality of the water and services and for its careful environmental management.
Its waters are clear and mild, swimmable from May to September. On the shores you find tree-lined free beaches, equipped areas and the hire of small rowing and electric boats. It is a perfect place for a break: a swim, a walk along the lakefront, then back in the saddle.
3. Parco secolare degli Asburgo, a pause in the green
In Levico Terme, a few minutes from the cycle path, the Parco secolare degli Asburgo awaits you, a large thermal garden of the Habsburg era opened in 1905. Spread over more than thirteen hectares, it is one of the most important historic parks in Trentino. Along its avenues you meet century-old beeches, sequoias, magnolias and cedars, among more than a hundred different species of trees and shrubs, beside the elegant Art Nouveau Villa Paradiso.
It is a quiet and romantic place, beautiful in every season: blossoms in spring, cool shade in summer, warm colours in autumn and a Christmas market in winter. It is the ideal stop to rest your legs in the middle of the day, away from the sun, before setting off again. You reach it on foot in a few minutes from the station and the centre of Levico Terme.
4. Arte Sella, where nature becomes art
Continuing along the valley, from the village of Borgo Valsugana you can climb towards the Val di Sella to discover Arte Sella. It is an open-air contemporary art park, where artists create sculptures using wood, rock and branches, in dialogue with the forest. The most famous work is the Cattedrale Vegetale by Giuliano Mauri, made of columns of interwoven branches inside which real trees grow, a living work that changes over time.
It is a serene fusion of art and mountain nature, transforming with the seasons. It is a place to experience at a slow pace, ideal as the goal of a day that pairs a ride in the valley with a walk among the artworks. It sits above Borgo Valsugana, along the road that climbs towards the Val di Sella, and offers a completely different perspective from the lakes on the valley floor.
A practical tip before you set off
Many services along the cycle path, from bike hire to the beaches and the bike transport on the train, change their hours and availability depending on the season. Before planning your day, check the up-to-date information on the official websites, so you set off with peace of mind and find everything ready at the right time.
Where to stay to cycle along the Valsugana
The best way to experience the Valsugana Cycle Path is to have a home of your own near the lakes, where you can leave your bikes in the evening and set off again in the morning without a worry. With Italy Holiday you find carefully chosen stays in the area of Caldonazzo, Levico and Pergine, designed for families and travellers who want comfort and calm a short ride from the path.
Discover where to stay near the lakes of the Valsugana and book your stay with Italy Holiday: your ideal base to ride, swim and explore the valley at your own pace.
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