Sixteenth stage of the Giro d'Italia 2023: from Sabbio Chiese to Monte Bondone

The Giro starts again with the sixteenth stage of the Giro d'Italia 2023 which includes a route of 203 kilometers and 5200 meters of elevation gain: departure from Sabbio Chiese, an ancient municipality of the Sabbia Valley.

The heart of the town is where the Chiese river meets the waters of the Vrenda stream, with the valley extending to the horizon, dominated by the fascinating Rocca, an imposing building that has defensive origins, now Sanctuary of the Madonna della Rocca, a place of prayer, but also of exhibitions and cultural events.

Here the landscape looks like a painter's canvas, with brushstrokes alternating between the blue reflections of the river's water and those of nature's green. To try the typical products deeply linked to the territory: delicious cheeses, honey and jams, mushrooms, mountain herbs, and truffles. There is no shortage of berries, black cherries, browns and chestnuts, raw materials for the many traditional recipes.

Cycling along the route, you begin to catch a glimpse of the imposing Lake Garda, with its dreamlike views, ancient castles and authentic villages. Located on the western shore of the lake, Limone sul Garda is immersed in a verdant Mediterranean landscape and is among the most visited resorts by lovers of sport, relaxation and nature. This is where the famous Ciclovia del Garda begins, inaugurated in 2018, which starts from the historic center of Limone sul Garda and winds through ancient lemon groves and romantic views. The track in some sections is suspended on the water and gives, to those who walk it, spectacular views. 

Thanks to a particularly mild climate, in Limone sul Garda you can taste delicious citrus fruits, cultivated since 1700 in the typical lemon groves, still in operation today and open to the public. 

The Giro leaves Lombardy to pass through Trentino Alto-Adige, thus entering Riva del Garda, a town that boasts the nickname of "pearl of Lake Garda" because it offers extraordinary views between the mirror of the lake and the background of the Brenta Dolomites. The ancient village climbs on the rock and climbs with the panoramic elevator to the Bastione, the fortress that dominates the city. Do not miss a visit to the Castle, built in the twelfth century to defend the city center, which today houses the MAG, the Alto Garda Museum that collects fascinating finds, including stele statues dating back to the Copper Age, some artifacts recovered from excavations at the stilts of Ledro, and the finds found in the archaeological area of San Martino di Campi. 

Riva del Garda is the land of those who love outdoor activities, from climbing to wind surfing, but also of those who go to discover artistic excellence and food and wine. 

In nearby Trento, not to be missed is a visit to the MUSE – Museum of Sciences where you can discover scientific curiosities and observe finds of the alpine environment. And if this is not enough to fill the eyes with wonder, the Castle of Buonconsiglio awaits us where you can admire medieval and Renaissance frescoes, and observe the suggestive panorama of the city overlooking the imposing windows.

Finally, we arrived at the last place touched by the sixteenth stage: Monte Bondone, one of the most spectacular panoramic terraces in the Alps. A precious natural environment, preserved by the Integral Nature Reserve and the Alpine Botanical Garden, where over 2000 species of plants and flowers grow.

This territory is a succession of suggestive views, millennial traditions, genuine flavors and uncontaminated nature. 

Here you can try all kinds of activities, including walks in the dense forests of red fir, where you can come across in summer with some roe deer or with the many species of birds that inhabit the area, the many hiking trails that climb on the 3 peaks of the mountain, to be covered also by mountain bike, and the numerous via ferrata for climbing; in addition to offering in winter about 20 kilometers of connected ski slopes, thanks to the Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta ski pass, with the surrounding locations, to take advantage of a total of 380 kilometers of slopes and 150 lifts, a dream place for those who love skiing and snowboarding.

And after a great effort, it is a must to refresh yourself in one of the many shelters that offer dishes of local tradition such as: the typical canederli, bread dumplings, mixed with milk, eggs, and flavored with speck, a product of PGI excellence, immersed in meat broth. The risotto with teroldego, a red Doc wine that gives the dish a particular violet color, the "salty meat", an exquisite salami to taste both raw in carpaccio, and cooked with irons, or the "fregoloti cake", a recipe based on flour, eggs, butter and almonds, with the addition of a glass of grappa for a substantial dessert, perfect for facing a day of outdoor activities.