Walking, moving to meet people and landscapes, cultures and panoramas. Discovering Garda on the go is a choice to responsibly cross the area with curiosity.
Garda is a condensation of experiences to be enjoyed more gently or by choosing more challenging routes. One can follow a mini-trekking route through the cobbled lanes and historical signs of the old town, or follow the water lines that stretch from the marina to Punta San Vigilio, amidst intense, iridescent blues that fade into the pastels of sunset.
The lines then become gentle paths through the hills covered with vines and olive trees, and you can also climb through the woods, among ash and hazelnut trees. Fitter people can also tackle steeper slopes. From Garda, one ascends between Val Longa and Le Colle, walking among the vineyards or following the Pignoi-Beati loop, and then up to the Rocca Vecchia or the Hermitage of the Camaldolesi, one step after another, one breath after another.
ROCCA VECCHIA (OLD FORTRESS)
You walk through the village of Canevini Bassi to gain one of the most impressive viewpoints of the Lower Lake. The Rocca “vecchia” (“old” fortress), inhabited since prehistoric times, has traces dating back to the Palaeolithic period, remains of medieval walls and also trenches from the two Great Wars of the 20th century dug by soldiers and civilians for defensive purposes. A real journey back in time.
HERMITAGE OF THE CAMALDOLESI
The Hermitage of the Camaldolesi, an ancient Benedictine monastery founded in 1663, a place of peace and meditation, is an evocative destination, as is the route to reach it. You leave the craftsmen’s district and after a stretch through meadows and woods you arrive at a boundary milestone marking the border between Garda, Costermano and Bardolino. The last stretch skirts olive groves and vineyards, until you reach the path leading to the hermitage.
PIGNOI – BEATI – VALLE DEI MULINI
One walks calmly through meadows and hills stretching above the Garda plain, admiring the views of the Gulf of Garda. We start at the roundabout on the Garda – Costermano border, taking the concrete road that runs alongside the Gusa stream. To take the Pignoi Beati itinerary, turn left and follow the signposts indicating itinerary C in blue. If you continue straight ahead, you will instead walk towards Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills) where, amidst woods and olive groves, you can choose to walk along the small valley towards Costermano or, working out with the equipment in the open-air gym, follow the Percorso della Salute (Health Route).
SAN VIGILIO - LE SENGE
One can walk and happily stop to admire the lake from many angles. Just a hint, because the arrival will be much more than a view, but an embrace of Garda’s blue. From the San Carlo Gardens in Garda, opposite Villa (degli) Albertini, you walk along the lake, past Villa Canossa and turn right onto a path at the side of the park. Follow it and you will come to an asphalt road. From here, turn left onto Via Castei to finally reach a viewpoint that offers striking panoramas of Punta San Vigilio and the Baia delle Sirene (Bay of Sirens).
VAL LONGA
This route plunges into the typical wooded area of the Garda hills, where there are dirt tracks, far from traffic, immersed in tranquillity and silence. This loop is 6 km long with a difference in altitude of 140 metres, which is considered a medium difficulty route. The recommended starting point is in Marciaga: from the car park of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso (16th), which has its apse to the Senge di Marciaga, one immediately enters the town of Virle di Castion, where the circuit begins, passing through the town of Zel. Amidst the greenery and peace of the woods, we skirt Mount Canforal, touching the area of Torri del Benaco. Wonderful views of Lake Garda can be admired from here.
GARDA - BARDOLINO
This pleasant walk connecting Garda with nearby Bardolino runs along the old disused Garda – Caprino railway line, where one can recognise the two old railway stations, now housing a bar and a senior citizens’ centre. The route is easy and flat. A five kilometre round trip with lake view suitable for everyone.
GARDA - PUNTA SAN VIGILIO
The walk along the Al Corno beach traces the line of white pebbles along the north shore of Garda, passing along the walls of the imposing Villa Canossa, to the small harbour of Punta San Vigilio. The route is easy, between the blue of the lake and the green vegetation of Mount Luppia, has a compact surface for the first 2 km and then is made of pebbles. At certain times of the year, if the water level in the lake is particularly high, the last kilometre to San Vigilio may be interrupted.