Overview
A seven day, self-guided holiday walking in North Lake Garda, a destination that may be very well known but where trails around its hillsides are less so. Based in a hotel in Riva del Garda throughout, its highlights include the Strada del Ponale and the forested Sentiero Busatte Tempesta, both dramatic and historic paths with panoramic views of the lake and mountains. Although most of the trails are on the west side of the lake, there’s one walk on the eastern Sentiero Busatte Tempesta, which takes you to the traditional village of Tempesta. There’s nothing tempestuous about this walking holiday, however, where other highlights include a trek up Punta Larici (907m) and the Marmitte dei Giganti giant glacial potholes.
- Riva del Garda
- Strada del Ponale and Punta Larici
- Sentiero Busatte Tempesta
- Ciclopedonale delle Valli
- Lago di Tenno
- Torbole
- Arco
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Riva del Garda or Arco
Arrive in Riva del Garda, a small town at the northern end of Lake Garda, known for its lake views and mountain backdrop. Take time to walk through the narrow alleys of the Old Town, visit the medieval Rocca di Riva or chill at waterfront cafés. We also have an alternative starting point, in the town of Arco, located at the base of limestone cliffs and surrounded by olive groves and mountains.
- Accommodation: Alle Porte or similar in Riva del Garda or Villa Italia Suites and Apartments or similar in Arco
- Optional hotel upgrade: Astoria Resort or similar in Riva del Garda or Hoody Active & Happiness Hotel or similar in Arco
- Optional superior hotel upgrade: Du Lac et du Parc Grand Resort or similar in Riva del Garda or Monastero ARX VIVENDI or similar in Arco
Day 2: Sentiero Busatte Tempesta | 10km
Begin with a bus ride (payable locally) or a private transfer to the trail’s starting point, near the village of Torbole on the eastern side of Lake Garda. The Sentiero Panoramico Busatte Tempesta is an easy but exquisite trail which lives up to its name, with panoramic views at every turn. It’s also famous for its collection of steel steps and ladders suspended from the cliff.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 3h ↑477m ↓383m
Day 3: Strada del Ponale and Punta Larici | 18km
Walk from Riva del Garda (take bus if staying in Arco, payable locally) on a gentle ascent on a 19th-century path that was carved into the cliffs. Rich with lake views, it continues along balconies and through tunnels as far as the alpine village of Pregasina. Continue up a wooded path as far as a viewpoint at Punta Larici. Continue to Malga Palaer, a small hut surrounded by pastures, before returning to Pregasina and Riva del Garda.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 7h ↑1,310m ↓1,310m
Day 4: Ciclovia delle Valli | 14km
Take the public bus to Torbole (payable locally) before following the Sarca River along a bike and walking path connecting Lake Garda with the inland Valleys to the North. After crossing the bridge in Arco the route continues through vineyards, olive groves, and along a panoramic dirt road with views of Lake Garda and Monte Brione before returning to Riva del Garda via bus (payable locally).
- Walking for the day: 14km, 4h ↑162m ↓162m
Day 5: Lago di Tenno | 13km
Begin the day in Tenno, reached via public bus from Riva (payable locally), before ascending to the medieval village of Canale di Tenno and continuing on to the turquoise waters of Lake Tenno, an alpine lake formed by a landslide centuries ago. Cross the suspension bridge to Monte San Pietro Church, which has superb view of Lake Garda and the surrounding valleys (980m). Descend to Tenno to take the bus (payable locally) back to Riva del Garda.
- Walking for the day: 13km, 5h ↑600m ↓600m
Day 6: Marmitte dei Giganti and WWI remnants | 10km
Take a bus (payable locally) to the lakeside town of Torbole, following a path from here to Marmitte dei Giganti, 10m-deep glacial potholes accessed via a short hike with expansive views. The route continues through the woods above the hilltop town of Nago, passing several WWI trenches and bunkers, before following the Roman path of Santa Lucia through olive groves back to Torbole, where you can catch a bus to return to the accommodation (payable locally).
- Walking for the day: 10km, 4h ↑623m ↓623m
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this centre-based tour ranges from small family-owned B&Bs to well-established hotels. They have been carefully selected based on various criteria, including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view sample hotels
- Alle Porte (Riva del Garda)
- Villa Italia Suites and Apartments (Arco)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgrade hotels
- Astoria Resort (Riva del Garda)
- Hoody Active & Happiness Hotel (Arco)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view superior upgrade hotels
- Du Lac et du Parc Grand Resort (Riva del Garda)
- Monastero ARX VIVENDI (Arco)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate and is suitable for walkers with a good level of fitness, with most days offering 5-7h of walking. The routes cover a variety of terrain, including dirt roads, mountain trails and asphalt, with some days involving a couple of challenging mountain hikes. (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you only to follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from April to October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date within the season.
The Trento region generally experiences mild to warm weather. Spring and autumn temperatures range between 05–20C, with occasional rain. Summer temperatures typically range between 20–30C, with plenty of sunshine, so it’s advisable to start walks early to avoid the midday heat. For more information please read our Best time to go to Italy blog.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Aeroporto di Verona (VRN), Bolzano Airport (BZO) and Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)
By train or bus
- From Verona or Bolzano railway stations, take the Regionale train to Rovereto railway station, before taking the local bus for the final stretch to Riva del Garda or Arco. For more details, see the national rail operator Trenitalia, or use the Omio planner above.
- Transfers: private transfers to and from the airport can be arranged on request.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 6 breakfasts
- Digital tour materials: detailed roadbook including maps a navigation app for smartphones and GPS tracks. Please note that no printed documents will be provided on-site.
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- International flights and land transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Tickets for the public buses
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Additional travel-related changes in the programme due to bad weather
- Entrance fees for attractions and museums
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights
- Hotel upgrades in Riva del Garda or Arco
- Airport transfers from any major airport in the area on request
- Local private transfers
