Biking Region Dolomiti Paganella – the setting for the BIKE Women Camp

The search for the perfect place for our BIKE Women Camp took quite a while. Our criteria: we wanted a beautiful lake, breath-taking mountain scenery and a legitimate choice of easy to difficult trails. Add to this, cappuccino, pizza, pasta, Aperol… something like that. “Dream on! All of that and maybe even a few ski lifts thrown in?” Well, at the start our male colleagues mocked our search criteria… but then: BOOM – we discovered Lago di Molveno in the Dolomiti Paganella bike region!

The Lake: There’s no more beautiful lake in the entire Alpine region. Heavenly blue water, white pebbles and wide meadows lining the entire shore. And when there’s no wind, the Brenta Dolomites are mirrored in it. Luckily, its temperatures are quite alpine-fresh – otherwise you wouldn’t want to move away from your beach towel.

The Bike Park: You leave the Brenner motorway five exits before Lake Garda (San Michele all’Adige) and follow the winding roads up to Andalo. Right after this village you’ll already need to pull over to take your first picture: the lake below your feet, the Brenta towering to your right and the Paganella Arena arranged in almost a semi-circle around it. A region awaiting you, not with one or two but three official biking areas. And – well, gentlemen, what shall we say: “no need to dream” – as all of them have ski lifts!

· The Molveno Area – This is the easiest area in riding terms with 2 ski lifts (1 gondola lift, 1 chairlift) and 4 trails. The majority of the trails are built to be flowy, running through the forest but are also left natural. In other words: here newbies can learn to get to grips with curves and fly over small roots. In addition, these ski lifts serve to transfer riders up to the Andalo area:

· The Andalo Area – This is the centrepiece of the park: 4 ski lifts (2 gondolas, 2 chairlifts) take you up to Paganella’s extensive trail network. If you get off at the mid station, you’ll be in for extremely creative and long flow trails built with jumps, shark fins and wooden snail. Downhill trails that are also fun to ride for newbies. Though if you only get off the gondola at the summit station situated at 2107 m, you better put on your knee and elbow protectors. The downhill trails from up here are left rocky, rough and with steps. Almost like on Lake Garda, only without the treacherous scree. Speaking of Lake Garda: if you put up with a brief stretch of pushing/climbing, you’ll reach a viewpoint from where you can take photos all the way to the northern bank of Lake Garda. All in all, 5 Intermediate to Expert trails await you in this area. And – by the way – before you return to the Lake after your trail day: do make sure to stop at the ice cream parlour!

· The Fai Area – Awaiting you north of Andalo are another 3 chairlifts with 5 downhill trails in total. We have never been here before with our Camp groups because these trails are celebrated above all by the downhill community. In other words: they attract “cracks” – high-speed junkies with great suspension travel – meaning the atmosphere in the other two Areas is all the more relaxed.

By the way: the complete Dolomiti Paganella Bike Park has formed part of the Gravity Card alliance since 2022! So, anyone holding a European season ticket can use the lifts free of charge here.

All trails and ski lifts are open from mid-May to October/November. Exception: depending on snow conditions the Molveno and Fai Areas also open in early April!

Accommodation: Right next to the Camp there’s a campsite. Though due to its central location you’ll need to be a sound sleeper else you’ll envy the people slumbering in heavenly peace at the Grand Hotel on the east bank of the lake all night. However, in Molveno itself there are many more accommodation options in all categories, pitched between these two price extremes. Nestled on a hillside, the town boasts beautiful vistas and 43 bike hotels and 14 bike chalets springing up in its winding alleys.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MOLVENO CLICK

Address camp area
Via Lungo Lago (directly by the swimming pool)
Molveno

The camp area in Molveno directly at the lake can't be described, you have to experience it yourself. This place in the middle of nature, invites you to relax, swim, SUP, boat and chill. The Dolomites are reflected in the crystal blue water of Lake Molveno and the various trails offer panoramic views that are second to none.