What to see on Lake Garda: top places and experiences
June 1, 2025
Best campsites Lake Garda: where to sleep surrounded by nature and lake view
June 1, 2025
🥾 Why Go Trekking at Lake Garda
Lake Garda is a paradise not only for water lovers and historic villages, but also for anyone who enjoys immersing themselves in nature on foot. Thanks to its varied terrain, you can choose a different route each day: from relaxing lakeside strolls to trails winding through olive groves, rocky peaks, and fragrant forests.
Trekking at Lake Garda means:
- Discovering spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains
- Walking through nature, history, and charming villages
- Choosing from dozens of trails suitable for every fitness level
- Combining your hike with experiences like boat tours, tastings, or thermal baths
📌 Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a casual walker, you’ll find the perfect route here. And with Navicharters docks near many trailheads, you can start or end your day with a relaxing boat ride.
🚶♂️ Easy Routes for Everyone
If you’re looking for a gentle walk—ideal for families with children or those who want to enjoy nature without too much effort—these routes are perfect for beginners.
1. La Passeggiata della Speranza – Limone sul Garda
A short scenic coastal path linking Limone’s town center to the famous suspended cycleway. Perfect at sunrise or sunset, it offers breathtaking lake views.
- Length: 3 km round-trip
- Difficulty: easy
- Duration: about 1 hour
💡 From Limone, you can also board Navicharters boats to reach Malcesine or Riva del Garda.
2. The Ponale Trail – Riva del Garda
One of the lake’s most iconic trails. This former mountain road, carved into the rock, links Riva del Garda to the Ledro Valley. Today it’s a scenic walking and cycling path with tunnels and postcard-perfect views.
- Length: 9 km round-trip (can be shortened)
- Difficulty: easy
- Duration: 2–3 hours
📌 This is one of the most photographed trails around the lake—ideal if you’re short on time.
3. The Rocca di Manerba
A family-friendly hike to a promontory with 360° views over Lake Garda. The route winds through the Parco Naturale della Rocca and passes the ruins of an ancient castle.
- Length: 4 km
- Difficulty: easy
- Duration: around 1.5 hours
💡 After the hike, relax on nearby beaches or take a boat to Sirmione or Isola del Garda.
⛰️ Moderate Difficulty Treks
If you’re fit and seeking longer walks through nature and history, Lake Garda offers many scenic routes that don’t require technical gear but deliver truly memorable experiences.
4. Busatte–Tempesta Trail – Torbole
A top-rated panoramic route on the Trentino shore, featuring iron staircases suspended above the lake. It starts at Parco delle Busatte and leads to Tempesta, offering spectacular north-coast views.
- Length: 8.5 km round-trip
- Elevation gain: approx. 300 m
- Duration: 2.5–3 hours
- Difficulty: moderate
💡 Best in spring or autumn. Torbole is also easily reached by bike or boat from Riva.
5. Monte Brione – Riva del Garda
A historical, panoramic walk up the hill separating Riva from Torbole. Ideal for nature and history lovers, with remains of WWI fortifications.
- Length: 6 km loop
- Elevation gain: 200 m
- Duration: about 2 hours
- Difficulty: moderate
📌 A loop trail suitable for older children. The summit offers stunning lake and Brenta Dolomites views.
6. Hermitage of San Valentino – Gargnano
A shorter but challenging trek with steep sections and enchanting landscapes. The goal is the hermitage carved into rock at 770 m, offering an incredible view of the western shore.
- Length: 4 km round-trip
- Elevation gain: 450 m
- Duration: about 2 hours
- Difficulty: moderate to strenuous
💡 Starting from central Gargnano, easily reachable by boat. Perfect paired with an afternoon on the water.
🏔️ Tougher Panoramic Treks
For seasoned, well-trained hikers, Lake Garda offers longer, technical routes with sheer lake cliffs, dense forests, and restorative silence. The effort always pays off with breathtaking panoramas.
7. Monte Baldo – Malcesine to Rifugio Telegrafo
Monte Baldo is the “mountain of Garda,” and the trail from Malcesine is one of the most spectacular—especially if you take the panoramic cable car to start. From there, walk along the ridge to Rifugio Telegrafo.
- Length: about 10–12 km (varies by route)
- Elevation gain: up to 600 m
- Duration: 4–5 hours
- Difficulty: challenging
📌 Check weather and temperature changes. Alpine scenery, unique blooms, and endless lake views.
🔗 More info: it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Baldo
8. Cima Comer – Tignale
A lesser-known but utterly captivating route through woods, meadows, and historic remains. From the summit, you get one of the broadest views of the entire lake. Recommended for experienced hikers.
- Length: 10 km round-trip
- Elevation gain: 650 m
- Duration: 4 hours
- Difficulty: challenging
💡 The village of Tignale is worth exploring. You can also plan a boat trip to Gargnano and then drive to the trailhead.
✅ Tips for Hikers + Trekking & Navicharters Boat Tours
Organizing a hike at Lake Garda is straightforward, but a few simple tips will make your experience even more enjoyable and safe.
🎒 Essentials to Pack
- Light backpack and sturdy hiking shoes (even low-cut for easy trails)
- At least 1 liter of water per person, plus snacks or a packed lunch
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Windbreaker or fleece (even in summer at altitude)
- Offline map or GPS app (e.g., Komoot, AllTrails)
📌 Some trails lack water sources—depart prepared.
🛥️ Combine Trekking with Boat Tours: A Perfect Idea
After a day on the trails—among forests, viewpoints, and nature—unwinding on the water is the ideal finale.
- Private cruises from Peschiera, Lazise, Bardolino, or Limone
- Sunset mini-cruises with an aperitif
- Stops for swimming, village visits, and custom experiences
💡 Sample itinerary:
Trek to the Sanctuary of Montecastello (Tignale) + afternoon boat tour to Isola del Garda or Sirmione.
🌄 Lake Garda on Foot (and by Boat)
Lake Garda is one of those places that always surprises. You can explore it on foot, climbing toward its most breathtaking viewpoints. And you can experience it from the water, aboard a boat that takes you where no road reaches.
With hundreds of trails for every level and the chance to enrich each day with Navicharters boat experiences, Lake Garda truly invites you to discover it… step by step, wave by wave.
