With its serene beauty and the majestic Dolomites mountain range, Veneto is the ideal region for cycling enthusiasts. As a fellow cyclist who’s always been captivated by the region’s beauty, I’ve shared my favourite cycling routes that you can take for amazing spring adventures in this guide:
Key Takeaways
- Cycling the Venetian Lagoon Loop takes you through Città Metropolitana, Lido, and Sant’Erasmo, offering breathtaking coastal views and a taste of Venice’s rich fishing heritage.
- Prosecco Hills Circuit takes you through rolling vineyards and charming towns, where you can enjoy scenic climbs and taste world-famous Prosecco wine.
- Pedalling through the Euganean Hills Trail lets you enjoy the Cycle Route E2, a 65 km circuit around the hills while passing through Abano and Montegrotto’s famous thermal spa towns
- Following the Palladian Villas Ride takes you along the Riviera del Brenta and into Vicenza, where you can admire La Rotonda Villa and the frescoes of Villa Valmarana ai Nani.
- Verona and Valpolicella Route lead you from Chievo to Quinzano, with highlights like the Chievo Dam, before riding through Santa Maria to reach the famous vineyards of Valpolicella.
Venetian Lagoon Loop
Riding the Venetian Lagoon Loop is an experience that combines coastal beauty with a rich history. This route takes you through old fishing villages and scenic marshlands that have inspired artists for centuries. And let me tell you a fun fact: people even believe that the city of Venice exists because of this shallow body of water.
Although you can’t ride cycles in Venice, the surrounding regions of the lagoon provide many amazing tracks to enjoy the beauty of the region. The mix of natural wonders and cultural heritage makes this route a perfect spring adventure for every cycling enthusiast. I highly recommend these highlight locations for a great cycling experience:
- Città Metropolitana: This is the nearby region of Venice where you can comfortably cycle around for hours.
- Lido-Pellestrina-Chioggia: These three islands are separated by water, but you can take ferries to cross with your bike. Here, you start your journey from Northern Lido and end it in Chioggia.
- Sant’Erasmo: This is often called the “Vegetable Garden of Venice,” and you can reach this by taking a ride from Fondamenta Nuove. Although you can’t take your bike there, you can certainly rent it from the local shop there.
Prosecco Hills Circuit
This region is like stepping into a living painting of rolling vineyards and charming hilltop towns. This area is famous for producing Prosecco wine, and the tradition of viticulture here dates back centuries. While enjoying gentle climbs and the amazing wine, I also found many attractive cycling spots.
The blend of nature, culture, and gastronomy makes this journey a perfect spring cycling escape for those looking for a refreshing adventure. You can take guidance and choose the ideal track for your visit to the region through their official site. For my personal experience, I recommend visiting these sites on your cycle:
- Conegliano and Valdobbiadene: I’d recommend this one to hardcore cyclists only, as it is a bit difficult. You start from the town centre of Conegliano and take on a 1oo Km road through the amazing vineyards.
- Miane to Posa Puner: If you’re feeling adventurous, this is a good track located at an alleviation of 1000 meters above sea level. Going on this road from Prosecco to Treviso Prealps, you also get to visit the Church of the Madonna del Carmine.
Euganean Hills Trail
The area is known for its thermal springs and healing waters that have attracted visitors for centuries. Historically, these hills have been a retreat for poets and nobility and served as a place for relaxation and inspiration. As you ride, you will pass charming villages and enjoy panoramic views of lush greenery.
When visiting this region, I recommend going through the following biking trails for an awesome cycling experience:
- Abano and Montegrotto: This serves as the starting point for all other cycling routes in the region. Here, you cycle along the beautiful Battaglia Canal and go through the beautiful village of Valsanzibio.
- Cycle Route E2: It is by far the best cycling route in the whole region and encircles the whole hilly region. The track extends to 65 km, and you can start or end from any town in the region while enjoying beautiful scenery.
- Sentiero Atestino: Also known as Trail Number 3, this is a special route for mountain bikers. You can start this trail from Arquà Petrarca and end it in the middle of the hills while passing through Avenue of Almond trees on Monte Fasolo.
Palladian Villas Ride
When you take the Palladian Villas Ride, it takes you into the heart of Veneto’s artistic and architectural legacy. This cycling route takes you through magnificent villas that were designed by the famous architect Andrea Palladio, with lush gardens and peaceful landscapes.
While going on this route, you not only enjoy nature but also get a unique experience of art and history. For those who’re planning on going on this ride, here are my personal suggestions regarding the best places to cycle around:
- Riviera del Brenta: This is a journey along the river and goes through Padua and Venice. Since it has the highest concentration of villas, it is recommended to those who are interested in learning about the local architecture.
- Vicenza and its villas: In this cycling tour, you will be able to enjoy the architectural history of Palladin along with the beautiful jewellery of Vicenza. Here, you’ll also get to visit La Rotonda Villa, a famous place in Palladio and Valmarana ai Nani.
Verona and Valpolicella Route
For a romantic adventure, you can take on the cycling routes of the Verona and Valpolicella regions. This journey takes you through the historic streets of Verona and the lush, rolling vineyards of Valpolicella. During my journey, I enjoyed cycling past ancient amphitheatres and majestic castles.
Since the route offers a great blend of urban charm and rural beauty, it makes it ideal for spring adventures. As for my experience, you should definitely give the following routes a try:
- Chievo to Quinzano: This is a very small yet adventurous trail of about 4 Km that starts from the Chievo district. Here, you can also visit the Villa Pullè, a local historic masterpiece, and the Chievo Dam.
- Verona and Valpolicella: You start your cycling tour from Largo Stazione Vecchia, just beside Verona. Passing through Santa Maria and going on the San Floriano road, you will find many amazing places until you reach Valpolicella.
- Valpolicella and Lessinia: After reaching Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, take some rest, and then you can start again towards Fumane. When you pedal for 7 Km, the trip will get more strenuous, and you will reach Fosse. From here, you can pedal for another 18 Km to reach Lessinia.
Berici Hills
The Berici Hills, south of Vicenza, offer a perfect mix of rolling countryside, scenic climbs, and quiet backroads to pedal through. The Berici Climbs website has mapped and rated all the trails in the region, making it easy to tailor a ride to your fitness level. Cycling here means weaving through olive groves and cypress trees, with sweeping views of the Veneto plains. Look out for the Jeso tree, a distinctive and ancient feature of the Berici landscape, once planted by local farmers to mark boundaries and provide shade along historic trade routes.
A particularly rewarding ride is the Rocca Pisana Route leading to Rocca Pisana, a stunning Palladian villa with panoramic views. The ride passes through Lonigo, where you, if you really feel like splashing out, visit La Peca, a three-star Michelin restaurant, and celebrate your day’s effort with some of the finest cuisine in Italy.
For a comfortable stay, Locanda degli Ulivi offers a pool with panoramic views over the valley. The hotel also rents bikes for guests who want to explore the region on two wheels.
Ready to Bike in Veneto?
That’s it from my side for today, and I hope you feel inspired to explore these paths and create your own adventures. Enjoy the blend of history, nature, and culture that makes every ride a unique experience in beautiful Veneto. I hope to see you guys soon after my next trip, and until then, don’t forget to follow MagicTowns on Facebook.
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