Discover Lake Garda: Lake, Culture and Trails

Lago di Garda, also known as Benaco, is Italy’s largest lake. The southern part of Lake Garda is surrounded by moraine hills formed by the retreat of the glaciers. The vegetation along the shore includes, among others, olive trees, palms, cypresses, lemon trees, oleanders and orange trees.

Culture and History

Near Gardone Riviera on the shore of Lake Garda is the Vittoriale degli Italiani, a foundation open to the public. Gabriele d’Annunzio created the complex from 1921 onwards; it includes buildings, paths, squares, an open-air theatre, gardens and waterways. On the Brescia side of Lake Garda lies Isola del Garda, with a villa built in the Venetian Gothic style and designed by Luigi Rovelli at the beginning of the 20th century.

On Isola del Garda, Italian terraces and gardens descend to the lake; native, exotic and rare plants grow there. Near Sirmione, the Roman villa known as the Grotte di Catullo dates from the late 1st century BC to the early 1st century AD.

Landscape

The Sentiero Busatte–Tempesta passes over the two ridges of Corno di Bò and Salt de la Cavra and through geological, floristic and natural landscapes above Lake Garda. The trail is approximately 4 km long and includes almost 400 iron steps. The Sentiero delle Tracce runs through the Gardesana Occidentale Regional Forest in the municipality of Tremosine; there, the trail makes it possible to observe animal tracks.

Trekking opportunities on Lake Garda include trails on Monte Baldo offering panoramic views of the lake. The journey on the Funivia Malcesine–Monte Baldo from Malcesine to Monte Baldo takes approximately 20 minutes; the return journey takes the same amount of time. The Trekking delle Fortezze dell’Imperatore comprises trails dedicated to the history of the First World War.

Cycling and Hiking

There are more than 1,000 kilometres of signposted cycle paths around Lake Garda for all ability levels. The Ciclopedonale Lago di Garda runs along the northern shore of Lake Garda and connects Riva and Torbole with the cycle path through the Adige Valley. The Sentiero del Ponale leads to the Monte Oro district in Riva del Garda and can also be hiked in the opposite direction from Riva del Garda.

Water and Wind

When sailing in Garda Trentino, the Ora and Pelèr winds provide propulsion; numerous regattas are available for racing. In Garda Trentino, kitesurfing areas are designated for the period from 1 March to 9 October. In Parco Alto Garda Bresciano, there is trekking on trails with panoramic views as well as water sports on Lake Garda.

Leisure

Near Castelnuovo del Garda, Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium displays more than 5,000 marine animals from 100 different species in 13 themed areas. Also near Castelnuovo del Garda, LEGOLAND Water Park Gardaland combines interactive LEGO building areas with swimming pools, slides, water cannons and water games.

Other destinations: Rovigo, Verona, Padua, Venice, Belluno

Food and Drink

In Parco Alto Garda Bresciano, the Strada del Formaggio is designated as a route between culinary enjoyment and nature. The microclimate of Garda Trentino favours wine cultivation. Nosiola, the typical white grape variety of Trentino, produces a delicate wine with slightly floral and vegetal aromas that pairs well with light appetisers and fried or oven-cooked lake fish such as trout or char.

Olive oil from Lake Garda is considered light and fruity, rich in chlorophyll, spicy and harmonious. It has a long tradition and is produced, thanks to Lake Garda’s microclimate, in an exceptionally northern location.

To the higher-level travel overview: Veneto.

More about the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Lake Garda: Towns, mountains and the best time to travel, Tignale on Lake Garda: Holiday apartment experience from 2009, Lakes in Italy: Lake Garda, Lake Como and other destinations.