Monte Baldo (Restyling 2016)

We start from the cathedral of Caprino Veronese, past which our efforts start. Up to Spiazzi the climb is very beautiful. Off the side of the road here, the directions to the evocative sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona are embedded in a rock wall of a grotto overlooking the Adige valley.
After this, the road has both steeper and milder grades, which put a strain on the nerves of any seasoned climber. The route then heads sharply downhill with expansive views of Lessinia on the right taking us to the outskirts of Ferrara di Monte Baldo. A bridge at the entrance of this village marks the end of the downhill section and a hard ramp greets us as we pass through its center. Another steep ramp leads us out of the village from where one should take a breather on 200 meters of gentler slope, because the climbing once again intensifies. After a few kilometers though woods, the forest thins out and the climb continues with variable steepness while surrounded by open pastures, bushes and stony isolated huts. Near Cavallo Novezza flowers, meadows and mountain views accompany our climb to Bocca di Navene, an anonymous place with a modest pub from which tourists overlooking Garda lake below can experience beauty rivaling that of Norwegian fjords. We continue for a few more kilometers along the narrow but well paved road to finally reach the top of the climb, which takes its name from Monte Baldo which still rises above. From here begins our spectacular descent to Brentonico and Mori. The final stretch is flat in the Adige valley, where we pass Rovereto and reach Villa Lagarina, the end of our efforts. Monte Baldo is a rather long and difficult climb, given the mileage and, more importantly, the altitude gain, which is increased by the descent between Spiazzi and Ferrara di Monte Baldo on the way up. On top of these two factors must be added a third: the inconstancy of the slope that comes and goes suddenly, perhaps allowing brief moments of recovery, but preventing the rider from setting into a steady pace. Enjoy your challenge!