The Brenta Dolomites are the Dolomites before tourism found them. The UNESCO-listed limestone massif — separate from the main Dolomite chain to the east, sitting between the Adige valley and the upper Giudicarie — offers cycling landscapes as dramatic as anything in the Alps without the campervan convoys and peak-season crowds that can make the Tre Cime di Lavaredo feel like a very beautiful waiting room.
Andalo at 1,039 metres sits on a broad terrace beneath the Paganella plateau. The resort was built for skiing — the lifts are still visible, the architecture has that particular 1970s Alpine quality — but what the Giro d'Italia confirmed on Stage 17 is what cyclists who have been coming here for years already knew: the road network around Andalo, connecting a series of valleys and passes through the Brenta foothills, offers some of the most varied and rewarding climbing terrain in northern Italy.
Here is how to ride it properly.
The Stage 17 Route: What to Ride
The full 202km from Cassano d'Adda covers a lot of flat Lombard farmland before the climbing begins. For cyclists visiting Andalo specifically, the essential riding starts at Tione di Trento — the gateway town of the Valle del Chiese, approximately 70km from Andalo's finish banner.
Cocca de Lodrino (8.1km, 4.1%): Start here to access the day's most interesting terrain. The climb processes through dense spruce forest above the Chiese river valley, gradient steady and consistent without drama. A perfect warm-up before the harder work ahead. The descent to Roncone is fast and clear.
Valle del Chiese approach to Andalo: After Roncone, the road drops toward Trentino proper before rising into the pre-Alpine terrain below the Brenta. The valley road through Tione di Trento and Fiavè provides the final flat kilometres before the Andalo complex begins. This is where the transition from valley to mountain becomes unmistakable — the Brenta's white limestone towers appear at the head of the valley, and the road begins to announce its intentions.
Andalo-Lever approach and climb (8.3km, 3.6%): Do not let the 3.6% average deceive you. The opening ramps — before the gradient eases toward the KOM point — push 8-10%, testing legs that have climbed since Tione. The KOM point crests approximately 10km from Andalo village, and the subsequent descent is fast, wide, and technically engaging.
Final 6km to Andalo: After the descent from Andalo-Lever, the road rises again in the final approach to the village. The gradient builds from 2-3% in the opening kilometres to 4-5% in the sustained section before the resort. The last 1.5km before the village are where the Giro's crowds concentrate — the terrain opens enough to see approaching riders from a distance, and the noise of a well-attended crowd on this section is, by all accounts, extraordinary.
The Best Cycling Loops Around Andalo
Classic Andalo–Molveno Circuit (55km, 1,200m): The definitive Andalo day out. From the resort, descend south through Cavedago to the shores of Lake Molveno at 865m — one of the most dramatically beautiful lakes in the Alps, backed by the sheer south face of the Brenta towers. Circuit the lake, and return via the Spormaggiore valley. The lakeside road at Molveno is the photograph cyclists send home from Trentino.
Lake Molveno Short Loop (22km, 600m): A half-day version using the lakeside road and returning via rolling forest roads. Appropriate for cyclists wanting a morning ride before an afternoon in the village. The Molveno waterfront at midday, with the Brenta face reflected in the lake, is worth building a day around.
Paganella Ascent (from Andalo, 8km, ~12% average): A specialist climb for strong legs. The road from Andalo toward the Paganella summit plateau reaches gradients of 12-14% and offers staggering views of the Brenta, Adamello, and Presanella massifs. Carry an extra layer — summit temperatures at 2,000m+ drop significantly even in June.
Valle del Chiese Grand Loop (120km, 2,800m): For experienced cyclists wanting a full day. Descend from Andalo to Tione, climb the Passo del Termine and Cocca de Lodrino in the opposite direction to Stage 17, and return via the Storo valley. Big climbing, long approach, substantial reward.
Connect with training partners, earn travel miles, and discover terrain worth crossing borders for.
Join ZealZagFollow us on InstagramGetting to Andalo
By train + transfer: Trenitalia serves Trento from Milan Centrale (1h30 by Frecciarossa) and Verona (45 minutes). From Trento station, Trentino Trasporti bus #134 serves Andalo directly — approximately 60 minutes. Confirm bike transport allowances when booking; space is limited on some services.
By air to Verona: Verona Villafranca (VRN) is 100km south — take the A22 Brennero motorway to Trento, then the SS421 north to Andalo (total approximately 1h45 driving). Innsbruck Airport (INN) offers Central European connections — 130km south via the Brenner Autobahn.
By car: From Milan, take the A4 to Brescia, then the A22 to Trento Nord, then the SS421 to Andalo (approximately 2h30 from Milan city). From Verona, the A22 to Trento Nord is direct (1h15 total to Andalo). Parking at Andalo is free at the cable car base station and several sports facilities.
Season and Conditions
Best months: June through September. The Andalo roads are typically open and clear from mid-May, with residual snow possible on the Paganella approach and Andalo-Lever upper sections before that. June delivers post-snow wildflowers, quiet roads, and temperatures of 15-22°C in the village (cooler on the Paganella). September offers the golden light of Italian autumn and the best visibility for Brenta views.
The Dolomiti di Brenta generate their own weather systems — afternoon thunderstorms are common from June through August. Plan morning departures and be off exposed ridges by 14:00.
Gear and Bike Setup
Road bike with compact gearing is the right choice. Andalo-Lever's steep opening ramps and the Paganella ascent both reward low gearing — a 34x28 minimum, 34x32 for comfort. Tyres at 25-28mm handle the road surfaces well throughout.
Pack for: Variable weather (the Paganella in particular creates rapid temperature changes), sun protection on the exposed valley approach from Tione, and enough food to cover long distances between villages — the Valle del Chiese has limited service points outside Tione itself.
Where to Stay
Andalo village: A range of three and four-star ski hotels convert to cyclist-friendly summer operations. Hotel Piccolo Mondo and Hotel Cristallo offer bike storage and early breakfast. Prices from €70-130/night including breakfast.
Molveno (12km south): A more characterful alternative. Hotel Belvedere sits on the lake with a terrace overlooking the Brenta face — morning coffee here before a ride is one of Trentino's great small pleasures. Book ahead in summer.
Trento (40km south): The Trentino capital provides a full urban experience — excellent wine bars, a Roman archaeological site under the main piazza, a castle on the hillside, and the chance to eat at one of Italy's most inventive regional restaurants (Osteria a le due spade, narrow street in the old town, worth the hunt). The city sits astride the Adige valley and provides easy morning access to the road north toward Andalo.
Food and Trentino Culture
Trentino food is Alpine with Italian grace. Canederli — bread dumplings served in broth or fried with mountain butter — are the definitive regional primi. Polenta with funghi porcini appears on every mountain restaurant menu and is incomparably better when the mushrooms are locally foraged from the forests you've just ridden through. Trento DOC sparkling wine — made by the traditional method in the valley south of the city and Italy's most underrated fizz — is the correct post-ride celebration drink.
In Andalo village, Pizzeria Rifugio serves adequate post-ride food with the Forst beer from Alto Adige on draft. In Molveno, the lakeside bars open early enough for coffee before morning rides. For a proper lunch, descend to Tione di Trento: Ristorante Centrale on the main square does Trentino food without the tourist markup.
FAQ
What cycling experience do you need for the Andalo climbs? The Lake Molveno circuit suits fit recreational cyclists with basic climbing experience. The Andalo-Lever climb requires regular climbing training — sustained 8-10% ramps are demanding for untrained climbers. The Paganella ascent is for experienced climbers only and should not be attempted in poor weather.
Can I rent a road bike in Andalo? Yes. Cicli Vanzetta in Molveno rents road bikes and e-bikes from approximately €35-80/day depending on quality. Book ahead in peak season (July-August).
When is the Giro d'Italia in this area? The 2026 Giro d'Italia Stage 17 finished in Andalo on May 27. The race typically visits Trentino in its final week — check the official Giro announcement each January for precise routing.
Is Andalo a good multi-day cycling base? Yes, for 4-5 days of non-repeating routes. Combine the Brenta foothills with excursions to the Stelvio, Passo Tonale, or the Dolomites proper (Passo Rolle, Passo Pordoi) if you have a week.
For more Giro cycling inspiration, see our Stage 16 Carì route guide and the Stage 14 Pila field report.
