Lake Garda – a gorgeous lake and Alpine panorama and a true paradise for all outdoor fans! For everyone who enjoys climbing, hiking or mountain biking, the varied landscape offers a multitude of cycling and hiking trails. The eastern shore of the lake, with the towering Monte Baldo range, is particularly impressive.
On the eastern shore of Lake Garda, one thing stands out above all: the mighty Monte Baldo massif. More than 2,000 m high and almost 37 km long, the massif is not only an impressive sight for tourists but is also home to numerous plant species. As there are up to 600 different species here, the mountains of the massif are also known as the “Botanical Garden of Italy”.
Numerous hiking trails lead up and around the massif. Here we would like to present two different hiking routes that are an absolute “must” for all hiking fans. The first leads to the summit of “Tratto Spino” (“thorn bush”) and starts in the picturesque town of Malcésine. The second route is far more remote from mass tourism and leads up “Monte Altissimo”, the highest mountain of the entire massif.
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Hike 1: On foot or by cable car – Tratto Spino can be reached from Malcésine in several ways
The ultra-modern “Funivia Panoramica” cable car starts right in the town of Malcésine. It first takes you to the middle station (where you have to change) before carrying you high up to the summit of Tratto Spino. During the ride the cabin rotates once through a full circle, so that every passenger gets the breathtaking view of the blue carpet of Lake Garda. Although the ride is fairly expensive (13 euros from Malcésine, 10 euros from the San Michele middle station; both prices one way only), you should think carefully about whether the price really puts you off and you would rather climb the mountain on foot. Because the trail to the 1,760 m summit is anything but a gentle stroll.
The hike can be started right in the town of Malcésine. Red-and-white signs show the way, which begins directly to the right of the cable car station and first leads along narrow paved roads through the hills of the town to the San Michele middle station. If you have a car, you can skip this still rather unspectacular climb and drive straight to the middle station, located at an elevation of 57 metres. This is where the actual hiking trail begins, which is steep throughout and therefore very strenuous. Anyone who wants to conquer this mountain needs to be in good shape. Sturdy hiking boots are a must (trekking poles are also highly recommended, especially for the narrow and rocky sections), as you have to negotiate stony and in places very slippery paths, particularly on the last section just below the summit. In general you should allow for a hiking time of at least four hours. The route is always easy to find and well signposted (red-and-white markings and clearly visible signs).
At first the trail leads through the cow pastures and olive groves of the local farmers. Eventually it joins a wide gravel track that winds through the forest in switchbacks. The climb is steep, and you cannot help but marvel at the power of the small Italian cars that occasionally drive past, moving uphill like motorised mountain goats. Between the trees you keep catching glimpses of the steel-blue Lake Garda, and you can only guess what a unique panorama awaits you at the top. To really enjoy it, you should not do this hike on cloudy or hazy days. The first breathtaking viewpoint is reached after about 2.5 hours. From a rocky outcrop that rises above the surrounding forest, you have views for kilometres across the lake and the mountains. After another half an hour you finally reach the treeline: from here at the latest, the impressive beauty of the lake and the mountain range to the north and west truly lies at your feet.
The last few metres are particularly strenuous, however, as the path becomes very stony here and demands a lot of concentration. If you would like to enjoy the view a little longer, you can take a break on one of the mountain meadows strewn with wildflowers. From there you can also watch the many colourful canopies of the paragliders, who ride the cable car to the summit several times a day and start their flights from there (in good wind conditions, a flight from the summit can last up to 20 minutes!). Those who finally make it to the summit of Tratto Spino are rewarded for all their efforts with the wonderful view. At the top you will also find the usual tourist facilities (restaurant, souvenir shop), which are flooded with crowds, especially in summer. Most tourists, however, conquer the mountain by cable car, and only very few dare to take the strenuous hiking trail.
If you prefer something a little less strenuous, you can also walk down the mountain. But be careful: especially on the upper section of the trail the descent is slippery and can only be managed without falling if you concentrate. The physical strain of walking downhill should not be underestimated either, as the constant braking puts stress on the thighs and knees in particular.
Hike 2: Heading high up: along the “Strada Panoramica” to the highest mountain of the Monte Baldo massif
Away from mass tourism there is a real insider tip that is especially attractive for mountain bikers. The “Strada Panoramica” starts in the north of Lake Garda in the small mountain village of Nago (coming from Lake Garda, directly behind the village of Tòrbole). A small sign points towards the northern foothills of the massif. At first the route leads through wide vineyards before you turn left onto the Strada. It is up to you whether you cover the 13 km road by car or on foot. But beware: not every car can make it up here! The road is very steep and extremely narrow. At almost every one of the countless bends of the switchback road you hope that no other car is coming the other way. Another potential hazard are the countless mountain bikers who pedal their way up the entire route to the summit. At the end of the paved road there is a car park, from which the remaining section to the highest mountain of the whole of Lake Garda, Monte Altissimo, can be covered on foot (trail 632, about 1.5 hours).
The entire route is very varied and offers breathtaking panoramic views. The trail first follows a wide and easy panoramic path up to the treeline (about 30 minutes). The wide path then ends in the middle of lush mountain meadows, where grazing cows can often be seen. A small rocky outcrop on the left-hand side of the path offers a fantastic viewpoint. The trail (very well signposted here too) continues on the right-hand side and becomes very narrow. All the way to the summit of Monte Altissimo the path remains steep almost throughout. Sturdy footwear is a must here, and trekking poles are highly recommended too. Especially in autumn and spring you need to hike with some caution, as the rocks are often covered with sodden earth and therefore very slippery. Even in summer there is still snow to be found on the summit ridge. On the summit there are preserved trenches and fortifications from the First World War (the “Refugio Damiano Chiesa” is open daily from June to September and at weekends in April, May, October and November).
If you do not want to drive the entire paved road, you can also start the hike earlier. After only about two kilometres of the Strada there is a small car park from which two different hiking trails lead into the massif. A trail map set up right at the car park provides sufficient orientation. Along the paved road there are also three wonderful viewpoints where a short stop is definitely worthwhile. After about 8 km there is a tall boulder right next to the road. The effort of climbing up is rewarded with a wonderful view of the lake. Only about 800 m further up the road, a short footpath branches off. From here you reach the small, rustic chapel “Chiesetta alpini dosso Casina”. Another kilometre along the road, the Aqua d´Oro follows on the right-hand side, a small spring with crystal-clear mountain water.