Monte Baldo - Bocca del Creer - Italy
Despite the lower altitude, this climb is tough, irregular and steep but rewards with an ever changing scenery.
Monto Baldo from Riva del Garda is a great but tough ride and it comes by a number of names. Some refer to it as Bocca del Creer or as Monte Baldo. In any case, the climb starts from Mori, covers 22.8km, 1,490m of elevation gain and it ends at the Refugio Graziani at 1617m. The Passo San Valentino is en route which featured in the 2025 edition of the Giro.
If you do one ride at Lake Garda, this is the one.
Cycling to Bocca del Creer from Mori is a steady yet demanding, low-traffic climb that rises from vineyards into cool, shaded forest before opening into quieter alpine terrain near the top. With at times hard gradients and a calm, remote feel, it’s a rewarding ascent defined by rhythm, solitude, and understated scenery rather than dramatic views.
There are four distinct section to this ride, the fist section from Riva to Mori brings you to the start of the climb. The other three sections divide the climb into manageable chunks.
Riva to Mori
The route from Riva to Mori is mainly on cycle paths or designated cycle roads. It is actually forbidden to cycle on the main road between Nago and Mori which is just as well as the road is often jammed and it is much preferable to ride on the path through orchards and vineyards. Don't expect sportive riding though.
Mori to Bentonico
From Mori to Brentonico is where the climb starts at km 0 of the SP3 which you take all the way to the end. The road climbs through vineyards above the Vallagaria Valley which runs to Austria.
This is great flowing road, in super condition due to the Giro and with still manageable gradients.
To San Valentino
The stretch from Brentonico to San Valentino is pure thuggery. Not only are the gradients ramping up but there are also a few downhill sections which make you curse for giving up precious altitude gained.
Legs and lungs burn and the only saving grace is that the traffic is becoming really light.
To Refugio Graziani
By contrast, the road from San Valentino to Refugio Graziani is pure enjoyment. The gradient bottoms out, there are rock overhangs and mysterious little tunnels.
Gorgeous hairpins and an increasing panorama guides you all the way to Refugio Graziani for a well earned break.
Sweet vistas over the mountains of Lake Garda and a well earned break.
Bocca del Creer from Mori
Length: 22.8km
Altitude gain: 1490 m
Max altitude: 1617 m
Average gradient: 6.6%
Max gradient: 13.5%
Route Tip: Start from Riva and climbs to Refugio Graziani via Mori and San Valentino. From there, drop down towards Monte Baldo to climb back up to San Valentino before descending to Mori.
The route can be shortened by returning the same way you came and descend from Refugio Graziani directly to Mori.
To lengthen the ride, there are quite a few other road combination. After you climbed to Bocca del Creer, you could loop back down through Polsa and Prada or you could descent to Avio and return to Mori via the Vallgaria Valley.
