Limone–Passo Nota–Pregasina–Ponale
A new route just opened on the platform. This one is special.
38.9 km. 1,711 meters of climbing. Two Alpini rifugi on the way up. A WWI ridge at 1,316 meters where two empires once dug in. Lake Garda glittering 1,200 meters below, with Monte Baldo and Cima Telegrafo rising on the far shore. And the legendary Strada del Ponale dropping back to the lake.
The Climb
The first 300 meters out of Limone are brutal. The main road is gentler but full of cars — so we took the steep secondary roads instead. Even with an eMTB, your legs will know they did something today. Half an 800Wh battery to reach the rifugi. You'll want every watt.
The Rifugi
Two Alpini-run rifugi welcome you near the top. 50–80 meters apart in elevation. Both worth stopping at.
■ Rifugio Alpini Fratelli Pedercini — the green tables cascade down the hillside. A bowl of warm soup. A wooden signpost shows distances to Ushuaia (15,879 km), Kathmandu (6,857 km), Nuremberg, Kalahari Desert, Chichiriviche. A signpost that says: we are everywhere, and we chose to be right here.
■ Rifugio degli Alpini Passo Nota (1,208 m) — run by ANA Pieve di Tremosine. Italian flag, WWI cannon and mortar outside. Inside: a real fire in a stone fireplace, two helmets from the war on the wall, an Alpini mural painted in 1990. The menu is in three languages and includes Polenta Cùsa (€9).
Both rifugi have power outlets. Neither has eMTB chargers. Every battery brand uses its own charger — Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha, Cube — and they're not interchangeable. Pack your own charger before you leave Limone.
The Descent
Then down: Passo Nota → Pregasina → the Strada del Ponale, that 19th-century mule road carved straight into the cliff above the lake. Closed to cars. Open to you. One of the most legendary bike descents in Europe.
Ride this loop clockwise — Limone first, Riva last. Trust the rabbit.
The clever part
This route is a synthesis of three classic shorter rides:
If you're not ready for the full loop yet, train on each piece separately. Then earn the whole thing in one day.
■ Trust the rabbit.