Morenic Hills

The Morainic Hills of Lake Garda are a unique landscape, shaped by the glaciers that sculpted these gentle hills between the lake and the Po Valley thousands of years ago. This 38 km cycling route passes through the heart of one of the most prized wine-growing areas in northern Italy, where the Lugana DOC and San Martino della Battaglia wines are produced.

The Route
It starts out from Desenzano del Garda, heading inland through rows of vines and olive groves that colour the landscape in every season. The route follows secondary roads with little traffic, alternating between flat stretches and uphill stretches that test the legs – nothing impossible, especially with an e-bike.
Along the way you pass through villages with medieval charm: Lonato with its imposing Rocca Viscontea, Padenghe with its castle overlooking the lake, and the small towns of Valtenesi where time seems to stand still. Each village offers the opportunity for a food and wine stop among wine cellars, oil mills and typical trattorias.

Vineyards and panoramas
The heart of the route passes through the Lugana DOC area, where the Turbiana grape variety produces one of the most popular white wines in Italy. In autumn, the vineyards are tinged with yellow and red, creating a mosaic of colours that blends with the blue of the lake in the background. There is no shortage of viewpoints: from the ridges of the moraine hills one can see from Monte Baldo to the Brescian Pre-Alps, with Lake Garda shimmering in the distance.

Practical tips
The total height difference of 450 metres is distributed over the entire route, with no particularly demanding climbs. With an e-bike, the tour becomes accessible to everyone. The road surface is mainly asphalt with a few unpaved sections in good condition. Bring water and plan to stop at wine cellars for tastings – many offer direct sales. The best time of year is from April to October, avoiding the hottest hours in summer.