Lake Idro Bike Path — The Long-Awaited Route from Idro to Anfo and Ponte Caffaro Is Nearly Complete
Written on April 6th, 2026 by Marco
The long-awaited bike path along Lake Idro (Lago d’Idro / Idrosee / Idromeer) is now almost fully open: the route along the eastern shore connects Idro to Anfo, and from there a path inaugurated last summer continues all the way to Ponte Caffaro on the Trentino border, where it links up with the Trentino cycling network.
The Route: Cycling from Idro to Ponte Caffaro
The path starts at the Pieve district (known locally as “il Ponte”) on the eastern shore of Lake Idro, and follows the lakeside northward to Anfo. From Anfo, the route continues along the Chiese river to Ponte Caffaro, a small town on the Trentino border. There it connects to the Trentino cycling network, opening up much longer routes heading north.
For cycle tourists, this is a game-changer: you can finally pedal from the lake toward the mountains without sharing the road with motor traffic. And those arriving from Trentino can reach the shores of Lake Idro entirely on dedicated cycling paths.
Current Status: Almost Ready
As of April 2026, the route is rideable along virtually its entire length. A few finishing works remain, but nothing that prevents you from completing the journey. The surface is compacted gravel, suitable for trekking bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes.
One section deserves special mention: the initial stretch from Pieve to the lakeside picnic area still needs some work. In places the path is narrow and the surface isn’t fully finished — there are passages that require a degree of bike-handling confidence. An adult cyclist will have no trouble, but I’d advise against this section for families with young children, bike trailers or cargo bikes until the finishing works are done.
The good news: from the picnic area onward, the path is genuinely beautiful. You ride right by the lake with mountains all around, away from traffic, through scenery that is among the best in the valley.
The Video: Hyperlapse of the Full Route
To get a real feel for what the path looks like today, I shot a hyperlapse of the entire route. You can watch it on TikTok:
👉 Watch the route video on TikTok
The video covers the whole path, including the best stretches and the sections that still need a little work.
Practical Tips for Cycling the Lake Idro Path
Recommended bikes: trekking, MTB or e-bike. Road bikes with narrow tyres are not suited to the gravel surface.
Difficulty: easy overall, with a few technical spots on the initial Pieve–picnic area section.
Families with children: wait for the first section to be finished, or start from the picnic area and skip the initial stretch.
Starting point: Pieve district (il Ponte), Idro — parking is available nearby.
Trentino connection: once you reach Ponte Caffaro you can continue north on the Chiese river cycle path into the heart of Trentino — a great option for longer rides or multi-day cycle touring.
A Surprise: So Many People!
One thing that really struck me on my latest ride was the sheer number of people I met along the route. Normally, even in peak season, when I used to do this stretch partly by bike and partly on foot along the lakeside single tracks, I’d come across maybe ten people in an entire day. Today I easily counted a hundred, possibly two hundred. It’s clear that the completion of the bike path is fundamentally changing how people experience the lake: families, groups of friends, couples, bike-packers with panniers — a constant flow that would have been unthinkable on this shore until very recently. It’s wonderful to see the lake so alive, even if anyone hoping for total solitude may have to adjust their expectations.
A Long Time Coming
Anyone who knows Lake Idro will understand why this path matters. For years the only way to cycle from Idro to Anfo was on the SP237, a busy main road that is far from ideal for family cycling. This new route changes the picture entirely and is an important piece of the puzzle for anyone dreaming of pedalling all the way from Brescia to Trentino along the Chiese valley.
If you want to explore the lake by bike, pair this ride with a mountain biking excursion on the trails around Lake Idro or combine it with a kayak trip on the calm waters of the lake.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Lake Idro Bike Path
Is the bike path from Idro to Anfo open? Yes, the route is rideable along almost all of its length. Some finishing works remain on the initial Pieve–picnic area section, but the rest of the path is accessible and in good condition.
Can I take children on the Lake Idro bike path? The main section from Anfo onward is suitable for families. The initial section from Pieve (il Ponte) to the picnic area has some narrow, unfinished spots that aren’t ideal for trailers or young children cycling independently. It’s worth waiting for that section to be completed, or starting from the picnic area instead.
Can you really cycle from Lake Idro all the way to Trentino? Yes. From Anfo the path follows the Chiese river to Ponte Caffaro on the Trentino border, where it links to the Trentino cycling network. This makes much longer northward rides possible.
What kind of bike do I need for the Lake Idro path? The surface is compacted gravel. Trekking bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes are all suitable. Road bikes with narrow tyres are not recommended.
Where do I park to start the route? The most convenient starting point is the Pieve district (il Ponte) in Idro, with parking available nearby. Alternatively you can start from the lakeside picnic area.