For many, the journey across the Alps is also a journey to themselves. And a journey into the past. Because on these historic routes, history suddenly comes alive again. This is also the case on the ascent to the Tremalzo Pass. The old military road was built for the resistance during the First World War. A war that seems so far away and yet we follow in its footsteps on almost every Alpine cross. The descent from around 1,700 metres above sea level to Lake Garda is separated from the ascent by an impressive tunnel at the top of the pass: from here, we find ourselves in a world of its own. A world without car traffic, where it's all about our pure bike experience on the Tremalzo singletrail.

We finally reach the Passo Rocchetta via the single trail and this also tells a story - a victorious one. The memorial stone is dedicated to the mountain bike experience, or rather to the bike pioneer Uli Stanciu:

• Uli Stanciu is considered one of the fathers of mountain biking in Europe
• in2014, a memorial stone was erected for the MTB pioneer at Passo Rocchetta as part of the Bike Festival
• the stone is intended to commemorate his services to MTB development in general and his commitment to the development of mountain biking on Lake Garda

Lake Garda is therefore not only a destination for Alpine crossings, but also for extended Alpine-Mediterranean mountain bike holidays. We cross to Passo Nota at an altitude of 1,200 metres along narrow paths - the lake always in view and, above all, the warm sun on our skin. It's not so much the special quality of the trails that makes the region so charming, but the overall package of impressive nature, the lake and a casual southern lifestyle. All of this can be wonderfully observed from up here from our Malga Palaer vantage point - a spectacular view of Lake Garda!

However, those who are afraid of looking down into the depths should not venture too close to the edge. Our route continues to Pregasina. This is where the sports scene of northern Lake Garda unfolds: numerous mountain bikers cavort in the small mountain village 500 metres above the lake, sipping an espresso and enjoying the sun - as well as the fantastic view of Lake Garda. Just a few bends further down, the famous Ponale road begins, the old road up to Pregasina, which has now been used as a hiking and biking trail for years. However, we are slowly drawn back down to the lake for a dip in the cool water...