Home » Blog » Outdoor, Lake and Sports » Hiking & Cycling » MTB to Rifugio Campei de Sima: 7.5 km through woods, caves, and WWI trenches in Alto Garda
Intermediate MTB route from Toscolano Maderno to Rifugio Campei de Sima: 7.5 km and 400 m of elevation gain, with an estimated duration of 3 hours. The ascent follows trails and drivable tracks with forks and variants, including a detour to the “El bus del luf” cave. The return passes WWI trenches, Selva Scura, and Ponte Rilo.
The MTB to Rifugio Campei de Sima route is a 7.5 km itinerary with 400 m of elevation gain, rated as intermediate difficulty and with an estimated duration of 3 hours. You’ll ride through woods, pass a cave, and ride by remnants of the Great War in the Alto Garda area, departing from Maernì di Sotto (Toscolano Maderno).
To set the scene, here are the key figures: distance 7.5 km, elevation gain 400 m, estimated time 3 hours, intermediate difficulty. The duration helps gauge the time needed for a half-day outing, especially if you’d like to combine this bike tour with other lakeside activities in Toscolano Maderno.
This route is ideal for those seeking an MTB ride with notable stops and points of interest along the way: a possible detour to the “El bus del luf” cave (with stalagmites) and a section next to a structure with trench from the secondary line of the Great War. Being mindful of trail signs as indicated in the official itinerary is important due to trail forks and route variations.
The described start is from Maernì di Sotto: you follow trail 2.7 to Puntesela on the Campei Stream. This initial stretch is useful for getting a feel for the terrain and route landmarks, as key directional choices for the ascent begin here.
At Puntesela, you have two options. To the right is the Cùei trail, which later rejoins at Persinic. Alternatively, you can follow the 2.7 drivable track towards Campiglio di Fondo (about 30 minutes), past the barrier and up to Malga Campiglio di Fondo. Your choice here will affect the type of terrain and ascent rhythm, so it’s worth considering before setting off.
After Malga Campiglio di Fondo, continue on trail 22. At a fork, you can turn right towards the “El bus del luf” cave, marked for its impressive stalagmites. This detour changes the tone of the outing, making it less of a “just cycling” trip and more of a natural point of interest—a great stop if you have time and want a short break.
Staying on the main route to the left, you reach Rifugio Campei di Sopra. Here, the ride feels more “alpine”, with a sequence of trails requiring attention to landmarks, especially when riding in a group that might split at forks. For navigation, GPX/KML tracks are available on the itinerary’s official page.
The indicated descent follows trail 3. After the barrier, keep right towards Passo Fobiola–Spino, where a structure with trench from the secondary line of the Great War is signposted. It’s one of those places that’s worth identifying on the ground, adding a tangible historical touch to your ride.
From Passo Fobiola, descend towards Selva Scura and Ponte Rilo (692 m, about 0:45), then head back to Puntesela and your starting point. If you’re staying at Camping Toscolano, logistics are even easier: our campsite offers a bike and electric scooter rental service (for a fee) activated via QR Code with on-site instructions, and after returning, you can enjoy direct access to the lake and beach to end your day.
For updated route references and GPX/KML downloads, the best resource is the official “Rifugio Campei de Sima MTB” itinerary. If you’re considering other outdoor ideas nearby, the Outdoor activities in Toscolano Maderno page lets you compare alternatives with the same reliability.
For a half-day MTB ride, the simple things matter: getting back, changing, and moving around without hassle. At Camping Toscolano you’ll find communal restrooms with showers available 24/7 (with coin-operated washers and dryers) for guests on pitches; plus there’s a beach with direct access to the lake, ideal for a swim or relaxing after your ride. To plan your stay, here’s the campsite’s official page: Camping Toscolano website.
If you’re already planning the Rifugio Campei de Sima route for your days in Toscolano Maderno, it’s worth checking availability and accommodation options on the Camping Toscolano website, and once on site, cross-checking the official track (GPX/KML) with the main forks before setting off.

The route is 7.5 km long with 400 m of elevation gain. The difficulty is rated as intermediate, and the total duration is about 3 hours—ideal for planning a half-day in Toscolano Maderno.
The described starting point is Maernì di Sotto (Toscolano Maderno). From here, follow trail 2.7 to Puntesela on the Campei Stream, a key spot where the main directional choices for the route begin.
Yes. After Malga Campiglio di Fondo, along trail 22, at a fork you can turn right towards the “El bus del luf” cave, noted for its large stalagmites—perfect for adding a nature stop.
On the descent, you follow trail 3 and, after the barrier, head right towards Passo Fobiola–Spino. In this area, there’s a marked structure with trench from the secondary line of the Great War.
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