Traumhafter Blick auf den Gardasee Photo: nickolya, Adobe Stock

Garda Lake

World-class surfing and climbing to the north, majestic Monte Baldo to the east, a wine region guarded by forts to the south, and romantic villages such as Gargnano on the Riviera di Limoni to the west - this is Lake Garda. A holiday and leisure destination where you won't be stay long without ideas for activities ...

Find out more

Outdooractive Editors
Author of this page

Activities at Lake Garda

hikes

mountain biking trails

bike rides

mountain hikes

road cycling routes

long-distance hikes

bicycle tours via ferratas trail runs alpine climbing routes Pilgrim walks Crags horse rides runs nature trails snowshoe walks city walks motor bike routes winter hikes Gravel Bike routes SUP caravan trips ski tours alpine routes cross-country ski trails

Attractions at Lake Garda

Recommendations

Highlights

My Map
Content
Show images Hide images

Features

2D 3D

Maps and trails

Viewpoint · Ledro

Belvedere in Dromaè

Ledro

The trenches dug during the First World War now build a beautiful viewpoint over Lake Ledro. The ...

from Staff Outdoor Garda Trentino AC, Garda Trentino

Museum · Ledro

Pile-Dwelling Museum of Lake Ledro

Ledro

Pile-Dwellling Museum dating back to the Bronze Age, more than 4.000 years ago, on the shores of ...

from Staff Outdoor Garda Trentino AC, Garda Trentino

Castle · Garda Lake

Castello Scaligero

Garda Lake

Scaliger Castle, the symbol of Malcesine

The Land of Venice

Museum · Ledro

Foletto Apothecary Museum

Ledro

Little museum which tells the story of the Foletto apothecaries in Valle di Ledro.

from Staff Outdoor Garda Trentino AC, Garda Trentino

Historical Site · Ledro

Colle di Santo Stefano

Ledro

The Colle di Santo Stefano is a place of history and memory, testimony of two historical moments, ...

from Staff Outdoor Garda Trentino AC, Garda Trentino

Lake · Ledro

Lake Ledro

Ledro

Lake Ledro is a turquoise Alpine lake, among the cleanest and most beautiful in Trentino. A pearl ...

from Staff Outdoor Garda Trentino AC, Garda Trentino

Museum · Garda Lake

Olive oil museum

Garda Lake

A must for olive oil lovers

The Land of Venice

Discover more

My Map
Content
Show images Hide images

Features

2D 3D

Maps and trails

Discover the region

Accommodation

Dog-friendly hiking

Great places to visit with the family

huts

Accessibility

Places to eat & drink

Show more Show less

The proximity to the sea and the direct connection to the Alps make Lake Garda a popular destination in Northern Italy. Thanks to its diversity, the region leaves almost nothing to be desired. But not only active vacationers such as mountaineers, climbers, racing cyclists or mountain bikers will find a home here, windsurfers will also enjoy the largest lake in Italy. The secret for this lies in the so-called Ora, a strong wind that blows at Riva and Torbole around noon.

If you want to take a day off from sport, take a stroll through Verona, a superlative shopping city that is only about 30 minutes by car east of the lake.

In addition, Lake Garda impresses with its year-round mild climate and the dolce vita lifestyle of the Italians. How about a glass of red wine on the Sirmione peninsula in the south of the region, with a view of the wonderful Alpine backdrop?

In hiking boots on Lake Garda

In the north and west of Lake Garda there are many beautiful hikes, such as the Monte Baldo, which is also known as the garden of Europe because of its diversity of plants. Or how about a hike to the impressive Cascata Varone waterfall near Riva del Garda, where you can also marvel at the small artist village of Canale?

Italy

Hiking at Lake Garda

For those who enjoy an active vacation, we have lots of suggestions at Lake Garda. Use our Travel Guide as a source of ...

Outdooractive Editors

Those who want to go higher on their tours on Lake Garda are spoiled for choice. Because in the region there are numerous mountain tours and via ferratas for the braves, the sporties and the ambitious that love panoramic views. In the west, for example, are the famous Cima Rocca and the panoramic mountains Cima Nara, Cima Bal and Nodice. Cima Valdes, Monte Tofino and Monte Misone join in the north.

The numerous via ferratas on Lake Garda lead through old positions and over climbing systems from the First World War, making the historical heritage of the region tangible.

mountaineering routes · Garda Lake

Mountaineering at Lake Garda

For those who enjoy an active vacation, we have lots of suggestions at Lake Garda. Use our Travel Guide as a source of ...

Discover

via ferratas · Garda Lake

Via ferratas at Lake Garda

For those who enjoy an active vacation, we have lots of suggestions at Lake Garda. Use our Travel Guide as a source of ...

Discover

On two wheels...

... is the best way to discover the Lake Garda region - especially by mountain bike. The tour over the Tremalzo with direct access from the shores of Lake Garda via Pregasina and the Passo Nota is definitely an absolute classic. Monte Mison in the north can also be ridden by bike, or you can set off to Passo Spino or via the Ponale road to Lake Ledro.

Italy

Mountain biking trails at Lake Garda

For those who enjoy an active vacation, we have lots of suggestions at Lake Garda. Use our Travel Guide as a source of ...

Outdooractive Editors

The North - paesaggio montano e Surfers Paradise

The northern shore of Lake Garda is lined with a mountain landscape shaped by the Ice Age. In the idyllic towns of Riva, Torbole, Nago and Arco, there is one or the other street café to enjoy the hustle and bustle in the narrow streets or on one of the picturesque town squares with a cappuccino or spritz. Numerous churches and castles provide insights into the history of the region and invite those interested in art history to visit.

The sporty and ambitious holidaymakers will find wonderful walks along the lake shore, extensive hikes through the vineyards, sport climbing routes, via ferrata, racing bike routes or mountain bike tours of all levels of difficulty. Those who tend to be drawn to the water will experience the perfect day sailing, windsurfing or kite surfing. For others, sunbathe on the beach with a view of the steep rocky coastline.

The Mediterranean south: La Dolce Vita on Lake Garda!

The southern part of Lake Garda is characterized by viticulture and is therefore very rewarding for connoisseurs. The village of Peschiera also attracts those interested in history, as one of the most powerful fortifications in Italy is located here. On the peninsula of Sirmione you can marvel at the Scaliger Castle and the canal port. The tranquil town of Solferino is about 10 km south of the lake and has made a name for itself in history. The organization "Red Cross" came into being here, offering neutral and independent protection and help for war victims, shipwrecked people, prisoners of war and civilians.

Photo: Hartmut Wimmer, Outdooractive Editors

The origin of the name of "Lake Garda" is still ambiguous. In the Middle Ages the lake was known with the name of "Lacus Benacus", dedicated to the homonymous god of water. According to the legend, he fell in love with a nymph who lived in a small mountain lake, Monte Baldo. In order to convince her joining him in the valley, Benacus created a lake for his beloved. When she first dived into that water, it took the color of her hair, turning into blue. A son named Garda was born from the union of the two. So it was therefore that the blue lake took the homonymous name.

Photo: Outdooractive Editors

Significantly, the east coast of Lake Garda is also called the Riviera degli Olivi, as there are numerous olive groves here. The region around Bardolino is known worldwide not only for its olive oil, but above all as a wine-growing area. You can visit the Olive Oil Museum in Cisano or the Zeni Wine Museum in Bardolino. You can also simply enjoy the cold-pressed oil and wine in the evening sun at the Palazzo dei Capitani in Garda. Those who want to go up high on this side of the lake can take the cable car from Malcesine to Tratto Spino, a summit of the Monte Baldo massif, at 1,760 m. There you can enjoy a great view of the lake and the rocky coast in the northwest.

The west coast - lemon gardens and cultural wealth

Photo: Outdooractive Editors

Brick-red roofs, pencil-point cypresses and lemon trees characterize this stretch of coast on the so-called Riviera dei Limoni. "Do you know the place where the lemons bloom?" Enthused Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in one of his poems - and by that he meant the charming fishing village of Limone, which lies at the foot of a steep mountain slope and is built in terraces on the lake. Here you can take a tour through the old town, which is decorated with flowers, the epitome of “Bella Italia” can be clearly felt here. If you want to experience this lifestyle a little away from the tourist crowds, you are better off in Tignale in the middle of the Alto Garda Bresciano National Park a little above the lake or in Toscolano-Maderno. After a swim at one of the beautiful beaches, a city tour and a view of the Torre dell’Orologio, the clock tower in the charming town of Saló, round off the day.