The Sun Route from Verona and Lake Garda to Bologna

Self guided bike holiday: The Sun Route from Verona and Lake garda to Bologna

Verona, Lake Garda, Mantua, Bologna: an easy route between food and amazing countryside

The route from Verona to Bologna is part of EUROVELO 7, that goes from North Cape to Malta. In this tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit extraordinary UNESCO heritage cities (Verona, Mantua, Bologna) and to discover the Po Valley countryside, reshaped by the hands of man, with its great food&wine heritage.

From Verona, you’ll head to Peschiera on Lake Garda and continue along the green Mincio river bike path to Mantua. You are now in the flat land. You’ll cycle by Po and Secchia river, and then meet the bike path recently built on a dismissed railway. The small towns of Mirandola and San Giovanni in Persiceto will surpise you with their authenticity and their food traditions, and so will Bologna, the Italian food capital, final destination of this tour.

Program

1. Individual arrival in Verona

Individual arrival in Verona, meet& greet and bike fitting (if rental included) in Via Madonna del Terraglio, 5.

• Overnight in Verona.

2. From Verona to Peschiera del Garda – 38 km, +300 mt

You’ll leave Verona cycling West on a bike path along a canal. Once on the hills, you’ll head to Peschiera del Garda cycling on countryside roads surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.

• If you have booked the Food&Wine experiences, stop at a winery for a tasting of local wines.
• Overnight in Peschiera del Garda.

3. From Peschiera del Garda to Mantua – 47 km / Flat

The route runs on the quiet bike path that follows the placid, emerald-green Mincio river. Discover Borghetto sul Mincio, with its water mills overlooked by a medieval castle. The stage destination is Mantua, a charming city surrounded by three lakes.

• Overnight in Mantua.

4. From Mantua to Ostiglia – 42 km / Flat

From Mantua you’ll soon ride into the countryside, among canals and cultivated fields. Governolo, half way to the destination, is a good place for a coffe break. Then, skirting Po river, you’ll reach Ostiglia, a simple, hard-working town that grew up along the river.

• Overnight in Ostiglia.

5. From Ostiglia to Mirandola – 48 km / Flat

Crossing the bridge over the Po, you’ll find the old town of Revere, with a beautiful Ducal Palace. You’ll follow now the winding course of the Secchia River. Passing through the streets of the town Concordia you can still see the wounds inflicted by the 2012 earthquake. Final destination of today: Mirandola, the birthplace of Giovanni Pico dei Conti della Mirandola, a 15th-century Italian philosopher.

• If you have booked the Food&Wine experiences, stop for a tasting at a balsamic vinegar producer.
• Overnight in Mirandola.

6. From Mirandola to San Giovanni in Persiceto – 41 km / Flat

The route finally comes to the section of the Ciclovia del Sole recently built on a dismissed railroad tracks. You’ll cross San Felice sul Panaro, Crevalcore and arrive in San Giovanni in Persiceto, with a small square with splendid murals and a very ancient Carnival tradition.

• If you have booked the Food&Wine experiences, stop in a local shop to taste typical cheese and cold cuts.
• Overnight in San Giovanni in Persiceto.

7. From San Giovanni in Persiceto to Bologna – 36 km / Flat

Just a few kilometers separate you from Bologna! It is the rich city of a thousand porticoes, soaring towers, ancient university, renowned and tasty cuisine, and so much more to see. Bikes’ pick up.

• If you have booked the Food&Wine experiences, taste panino alla mortadella and other typical Bolognese delicacies.
• Overnight in Bologna.

8. Departure from Bologna

Breakfast, check out and end of the services. 

Arrivederci!