THE CYCLE ROUTE FROM NORTHERN EUROPE TO THE ADRIATIC SEA

STAGE 1

(Borghetto d'Avio - Verona, 48 km)

The first part of the Veneto section of the Adige cycle path – between the regional boundary in Borghetto d’Avio, where the section managed by the Trento Provincial Authority ends, and the centre of Verona – runs through the narrow lower Val Lagarina, between the steep walls of Monte Baldo to the west and the Lessinia plateau to the east, then through the magnificent natural scenery of the Chiusa di Ceraino gorge, through which the river creates spectacular bends. Just after the Chiusa, the Adige flows into the plain and reaches Verona, one of the foremost tourist and cultural destinations in the Veneto region, famed worldwide for the romance of Romeo and Juliet, for the annual opera festival that takes place in the Arena as well as, of course, for the beauty of the old town, tightly hugged by the river.

The village of Borghetto d’Avio on the left bank of the Adige, on the border between the two regions – the cycle path managed by the Autonomous Province of Trento can be reached in about 200 metres, just over the river – is also served by a convenient train station. From here, you start riding on a municipal road until (km 1.2), just before the railway underpass, you will see the start of the “Terradeiforti” cycle path on the right. This fine surfaced path closely follows the river almost continuously, through woods and vineyards, and goes through the hamlets of the Veronese municipality of Dolcè, in sequence Ossenigo (km 3.7), Peri (km 6.5), Dolcè itself (km 14.1), Ceraino (km 18.7) and Volargne (km 22.7). Particularly noteworthy are Peri, where you can enjoy the view of the Madonna della Corona, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Crown, perched on Monte Baldo in the distance, and the stretch between Ceraino and Volargne with the incredible Chiusa gorge, and the view of the Austrian fort “Vohlgemuth”, built on a rocky outcrop on the opposite bank of the river, overlooking the town of Rivoli Veronese, which two centuries ago was the set of a historic victory by Napoleon's army. At the end of the cycle path, near the Volargne parish church (km 22.7), you continue on via del Marmo until its end (km 26.0), where you turn right onto a busy road, then carefully cross the Adige on the road bridge into Sega di Cavaion. After the roundabout, you turn left (km 26.4) on via Risorgimento, then right (km 27.1), and after a short but steep climb you reach the cycle path along the Biffis canal (km 27.6). The cycle path stops at km 33.6 near a power station, after crossing two wooden bridges. There, you turn right, then left on via Roma and enter the fine town of Bussolengo (km 34.6). Continue along corso Mazzini until you come near the town's cemetery, where the cycle path starts again (km 35.2), descending steeply towards the Biffis canal again (km 37.6). Continue along the Biffis canal until the cycle path ends for good near another power station (km 41.6) in the suburbs of Verona. There, you continue on single carriageways and go across the canal, under the railway (km 42.3) and rapidly roll down into the village of Chievo, which most people know about because of its football fame. At the end of the downhill stretch (km 42.9), pay attention as you need to turn left and enter the park next to the dyke on the Adige, and from there take the urban cycle and foot path of the Camuzzoni canal (km 43.2). After crossing corso Milano (km 45.8) and viale Galliano (km 46.3), turn left, then right past the magnificent Romanesque basilica of San Zeno (km 47.0), ride along Regaste San Zeno until you reach the imposing Castelvecchio, then along via Roma until you get to Verona's very heart, piazza Bra (km 48.3).

Possible detours

• The Adige cycle path that falls under the Trentino regional administration is just over the bridge in Borghetto d’Avio, and leads to Rovereto and Trento. If you carry on, just before Bozen you can choose whether to follow the Isarco-Eisack into the old town, then on to Brixen and Brenner Pass, or continue riding up the Adige towards Meran and Val Venosta, the Vinschgau Valley, towards Reschen Pass.

• As an alternative to the “Terradeiforti” cycle path we chose for our itinerary, you can cross over to the right bank of the Adige and ride on the Adige-Sole, the official Sun Route, which mostly follows the Biffis canal and goes through various hamlets in the Veronese municipality of Brentino Belluno, then climbs for about 1 km, with a gradient of around 8%, up to Rivoli Veronese, from which it is also possible to take a detour to Lake Garda.

• Lovers of challenging climbs should cross over to the right bank of the Adige, and from the centre of Avio climb up to Monte Baldo via San Valentino and beyond. Or stay on the left bank, and take the road that goes up from Peri to Fosse, a hamlet in the borough of Sant’Anna d’Alfaedo on the Lessini plateau.

• From the parish church of Volargne, instead of continuing over via del Marmo as indicated in our itinerary, you can continue following the "Terradeiforti’’ signs until, after about 4 km, you get to the hamlet of Domegliara in the borough of Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, where there is a train station. Valpolicella, and its cycle tourist park, can be easily accessed from there (bike.infovalpolicella.it).

• In Bussolengo you encounter anther interesting cycle tourist park, “Terre del Custoza” (www.terredelcustoza.com).