Arriving in Garda Trentino, Lake Garda seems to transform completely. The wide and soft shores of the south give way to an almost theatrical landscape: gigantic mountains that fall into the water, villages gathered between the rocks and a constant wind that fills the lake with colored sails. It is the northernmost part of Benaco, the one that belongs to the province of Trento, a territory where the Alpine breath meets the Mediterranean climate.
A few minutes are enough to see olive trees, cypresses and lemons growing under rocky walls over two thousand meters high. A contrast that makes this stretch of the lake unique in Italy and that is always able to excite me every time I return to this fantastic place. But Garda Trentino is not just a place to photograph: it is a destination that can be experienced by walking, cycling (being a true paradise for bikes) and being surprised at every turn.
@RebeccaManzi/GreenMe
Arco, between castles and walls to climb
A few minutes from the lake – on the highest part of Garda – is Arco di Trento, a town that seems to have come out of an Austro-Hungarian painting. Located just north of Riva del Garda, it is still considered an integral part of the area. Dominated by its medieval castle perched on the rock, Arco is famous throughout Europe for sport climbing. Here the landscape changes again compared to the coastal road: the lake remains close, but you enter a green valley crossed by the Sarca river.
@RebeccaManzi/GreenMe
The historic center is elegant, full of small squares, porticoes and stately buildings that tell of the city’s Habsburg past. The climb to the Arco Castle offers one of the most beautiful views of the entire Garda Trentino. From up there you can see the lake, the olive groves and the mountains that close the horizon. Arco is also a perfect stop for those who want to savor the local cuisine after a day in the open air: dumplings, carne salada, Trentino wines and traditional desserts tell of the continuous meeting between Alpine and Mediterranean cultures.
@RebeccaManzi/GreenMe
Riva del Garda, between historic squares and breathtaking views
Going down towards Lombardy, we arrived in Riva del Garda. The first sensation upon entering is that of being in a small city suspended between two worlds. On one side the lake, bright and immense. On the other, the mountains that seem to close around the historic center. The lakeside promenade is the perfect place to start exploring the city. Walking between Piazza III Novembre, the port and Piazza Catena, your gaze continually shifts from the water to the light-coloured historic buildings. Then comes the Torre Apponale, the medieval symbol of the city, and a little further on the Rocca, the castle surrounded by water which today houses the MAG Museo Alto Garda.
@RebeccaManzi/GreenMe
@RebeccaManzi/GreenMe
One of the best moments of the trip was the climb to the Venetian Bastion. From up there the view changes completely: the lake appears nestled between the mountains and Riva seems like a perfect miniature. Those who love outdoor activities will find a little paradise here. The Sabbioni beach is one of the busiest, while the famous Strada del Ponale offers one of the most spectacular panoramic routes in Garda, to be done on foot or by bicycle between rocky walls and incredible views.
@RebeccaManzi/GreenMe
@RebeccaManzi/GreenMe
Torbole, the kingdom of wind and sails
The last stop on our Garda Trentino itinerary is Nago-Torbole. A few kilometers separate it from Riva, but the atmosphere changes immediately. Here the absolute protagonist is the wind. The “Ora del Garda”, which blows regularly in the afternoon, has transformed Torbole into a European capital of windsurfing and sailing. The village still retains the soul of the old fishing village, with narrow alleys, colorful houses and small places overlooking the marina. Sitting lakeside at sunset means witnessing a continuous spectacle of surfboards, kites and boats crossing the water.
@RebeccaManzi/GreenMe
One of the most suggestive points is the Torbole Belvedere, from which an extraordinary view opens up over the entire north of the lake. It is no coincidence that even Goethe, during his trip to Italy, was enchanted by these landscapes. For those who love walking, the area offers spectacular paths such as the Busatte-Tempesta, suspended between the lake and the mountain, or nature trails that lead to the mysterious Marmitte dei Giganti, enormous cavities dug by glaciers.
@RebeccaManzi/GreenMe
The authentic charm of Garda Trentino
The beauty of Garda Trentino is precisely this rare balance between extreme nature and a relaxed atmosphere. In a few kilometers you go from beaches to mountain paths, from historic villages to water sports. It is a territory that involves, surprises and continuously changes face throughout the day. In the morning the lake is calm and silent, in the afternoon the wind transforms it into a huge playground for surfers and sailors, while in the evening the villages light up with soft lights and outdoor tables. And when we leave again, we are left with that rare feeling of having crossed a place capable of truly uniting two souls.
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