It's no surprise that every year Lake Garda remains one of the most beloved destinations for Italians and tourists alike. Its waters cover an area of 370 km² and touch the shores of three regions: Trentino Alto Adige, Lombardy, and Veneto, securing its place as the largest lake in Italy.
With such a vast surface, Garda offers very diverse and always unique landscapes, able to satisfy the tastes of all visitors. The many villages overlooking its waters, like Limone sul Garda or Sirmione, are ideal destinations for those seeking romantic weekends focused on wellness.
Those who prefer a holiday dedicated tooutdoor sports have plenty of options. Whatever side you choose, you can enjoy sports like sailing, rowing, windsurfing, as well as paragliding, skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and especially trekking. Lake Garda is surrounded by a myriad of scenic trails leading to magical spots perched above the water—let’s discover them together!
The Best Places for Trekking on Lake Garda
You can trek around Lake Garda all year round, thanks to a mild climate in every season, with an average of 17 degrees Celsius even in winter. However, the best time to explore is the warmer months, avoiding unexpected rain or icy, slippery terrain.
There are many trekking trails ranging from easy and short to long and challenging, including exposed and adrenaline-filled sections. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trekker, the advice is never to venture out alone but rather to join organized groups with expert guides who can assist you in any situation. If this sounds appealing, discover all the trekking events organized by Meeters, unique opportunities to experience Italy and make new friends!
In this article, we present five of the best trails around Lake Garda, varying in length and difficulty, and requiring no special equipment.
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Busatte – Tempesta Trail
The Busatte Tempesta trail is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling, a must for every trekker at least once in their life. It starts from the village of Torbole, near Riva del Garda on the Trentino side, covering about 8 km with elevation changes of 250-300 meters. The hike is quite demanding and not ideal for those who suffer from vertigo. After an initial flat stretch through a wooded setting, the trail climbs along rocky ridges towering over the lake, such as Corno di Bò and Salt de la Cavra, equipped with four iron staircases making the ascent easier.
The route offers several spots to pause and admire the stunning scenery and take memorable photos. Your gaze will stretch to embrace Limone sul Garda and its lemon groves laden with citrus fruits,as well as the towns of Tremosine and Torri del Benaco and the peaks of Monte Baldo and Monte Altissimo di Nago. Along the trail, you can also admire the Marrocche, debris dating back to the last glaciation over 200,000 years ago.
The trail ends near the Tempesta area, once the border between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Here, the more daring can choose to retrace their steps or comfortably take the bus back to Torbole.
Ponale Road Towards Limone sul Garda
Ponale Road is a timeless classic, one of the most popular hikes around Garda, full of surprises and interesting stops. The route starts from Riva del Garda heading towards Limone sul Garda, following the ancient road leading to the Ledro Valley,now dedicated exclusively to tourism and accessible on foot or by bicycle. The walk is not overly strenuous but lasts about four hours and reaches elevation gains of 400 meters.
The trail runs along the lake on one side and the mountains on the other, intersecting for a stretch with the western Gardesana, favored by motorcyclists. Along the hike, you can make several stops, for example to visit the Tagliata del Ponale, a fortification carved into the mountain dating back to World War I. If you want to learn more about this sport, check out our beginner’s guide and discover the most beautiful trails in Italy.