Malga San Giovanni via Calvola

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E-Bikes Unknown

A short ride to the hills north of Lago di Garda.

From Varone/Riva (elev.128m) take the old pebble stone way up to Tenno (elev.430m) and further to the old houses of Calvola (elev. 642m). It is then asphalt for about 1,7km (Loc.Calino, elev.850m); you then head onto forest roads with one steeper section to Malga San Giovanni (elev. 1.120m). This is followed by a high speed downhill of a thousand meters on asphalt down to Varignano/Varone (elev. 99m).

Take the described direction if you haven't much time or if you want to get a new speed record with your MTB. Be careful on the descent as there are some bends and a car could be behind them...

Otherwise, climb the asphalt (not much faster than the gravel...) and have some fun on the easy gravel downhill and on the steep old pebble-stone path from Calvola to Tenno and further to Varone.

Start in Varone/Riva (elev.128m) and take the street to Cascata di Varone, turn right, then left. Cross the street Riva-Tenno and follow a small asphalt road upward in the olive groves. A switchback to the right, then take a smaller road on the left.

After another switchback to the right, take the old way (path #401) up to Tenno (elev.430m), paved by pebble stone, and head past the old houses of Calvola (elev.642m). Follow the asphalt to Localita Calino, in the direction toward Monte San Pietro (also called Monte Calino) till its end (about 1,7km, elev.850m).

Now forest roads will lead you along the hillside of Monte San Pietro later with a steep, but short climb to the western slope of Monte Biaina and further to Malga San Giovanni (elev. 1.120m). San Giovanni is a group of small holiday houses and gardens. Here you'll reach the end of an asphalt road; get ready for a speedy descent. Some minutes later you'll be a thousand meters down in Varignano (elev.99m). Take the street at the foot of the hill back to Varone.

The houses of Calvola are arranged like a formerly typical Trentino village: made of limestone, close to each other with big roofs over narrow lanes. In the 1960s, villages like this were empty, the houses rotted and only a few old people were living there. Now most of the houses are rebuilt.

The best example of this type of villages is Canale, only one km west of Calvola.