The Lake Ledro is one of the most beautiful and cleanest lakes in all of Trentino Alto Adige, where you can enjoy water sports, fishing, or even swimming. During the summer its waters can reach 24 degrees Celsius making it a perfect spot even for those with pets: of the 4 beaches on its shore, one is animal friendly, ideal for letting your dog take a swim.
However, this location remains interesting to visit during other seasons as well: whether for the autumn foliage, winter snow, or spring greenery, it’s never a bad time to visit Lake Ledro.
This lake is very close to Lake Garda and is one of the first sights you encounter when arriving in Trentino after passing through towns like Riva del Garda. Those tired of spending their time enjoying the lively lakeside nightlife in a place like Ledro will find a solution to boredom here.
At Meeters, we are quite experienced in finding interesting places to visit and spend time: for years we have consistently worked to create events, cultural visits and sports activities to help people meet and make new friends. For this reason, we believe we are the right people to ask if you want to explore and discover Lake Ledro.
With that said, let’s discover this lake together and everything you need to know before planning a trip to see it.
Lake Ledro: What Is It?
Lake Ledro is the closest body of water to Lake Garda. It lies in a suspended valley connecting the Chiese Valley to the aforementioned lake, at 655 meters above sea level. The lake covers just over 2 square kilometers and has a circumference of about 10 kilometers.
Its small size is one of the features that make it suitable for swimming and highly appreciated by tourists. Several times the lake has turned reddish due to the Oscillatoria rubescens algae, offering a very special spectacle to those lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
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The lake was very important during World War I as it became a war zone along with the entire surrounding valley. Remains of both the Austro-Hungarian and Italian lines still exist, including trenches and fortifications.
Along the eastern shore of the lake, near Ponale, Bronze Age artifacts were discovered in the 1980s. These finds turned the lake into a true archaeological site, and the Lake Ledro Pile-Dwelling Museum houses all the discovered items.
The museum’s name comes from the remains of a pile-dwelling village; this village has been reconstructed on the lake’s shore.
What to See at Lake Ledro?
Lake Ledro and the surrounding Ledro Valley in Trentino offer a wide range of activities catering to all tastes: from those who want relaxing lakeside walks to those eager to explore the woods.
Let’s start with the lake! The lake is swimmable, equipped with beaches and bathing establishments where families and couples can relax peacefully. Those who want a walk can always choose to circle the lake using either the bike paths or one of the many watercraft available for rent on site.
Around the lake, there are many opportunities for trekking enthusiasts who want to get closer to alpine flora. The trail from Pregasina to Punta Larici offers a magnificent view of Lake Garda, as does the route from Passo Tremalzo.
In spring, we recommend visiting Dromaé to see the blooming meadows, one of the most beautiful moments of the entire spring. Serious trekking lovers can start from Lake Ledro and reach Cima Parì, the highest peak in the area.
Discovering the Waterfalls
Not far from the lake, there is a particularly interesting waterfall to see. Despite its somewhat harsh name (Gorg d’Abiss is not exactly a pleasant sound), this waterfall is hidden at the end of a 1.5-kilometer trail and is a little paradise for those wanting to immerse themselves in a true natural oasis.
In winter, the waterfall freezes, becoming a beautiful natural sculpture, while in summer it’s the perfect place to seek relief from global warming.
Ledro Land Art
Art lovers visiting Lake Ledro can take advantage of Ledro Land Art, an open-air museum fragment of the lake. This specific place is the forest next to the lake, populated by strange statues and many inanimate animals, all located in Pur on the lake’s shore.
The project has been ongoing since 2012 and aims to promote an artistic style that gently blends with the surrounding nature. The statues are entirely made using only natural materials and follow the artistic principles of the Land Art movement..
How to Get to Lake Ledro
Lake Ledro is accessible by car or bus; getting there by train is a bit more difficult but still possible.
The lake is just a few kilometers from Riva del Garda; from there, take the SS240 towards Ledro Valley; this road runs along the entire northern shore of the lake.
Those arriving by train should take a train to Rovereto, along the Brenner line.This line usually stops at stations such as Rome, Florence, Bologna, Verona, Bolzano, or Trento..
Once in Rovereto, you need to take the B332 line, which connects Rovereto to Riva del Garda. Upon arriving at Riva Del Garda, you can take the suburban bus that connects the Ledro Valley to the lakeside city.