Northern end of Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy and the epicentre for action sports including cycling, climbing, sailing, skiing and running. Mt Brione (on right) separates the local villages of Torbole (shown) and Riva del Garda which is at the end of the lake behind Brione.
Snow dustedhills behind the village of Riva del Garda
Great sunsets over the lake
Torbole and Brione seen from the village of Nago
Torbole and Nago villages and Lake Garda from the top of Mt Brione
Historic Batteria di Mezzo is located on Mt Brione. It was part of the Italian fortifications in the first world war when Italy fought on the allied side facing the Austro-Hungarian Empire on the other side of the lake. When the allies won the war, the AH empire was dissolved with lands from Lake Garda north being ceded to Italy including all of the Sud Tyrol region.
Walking down Brione through the olive orchards was magical
Looking south down Lake Garda with the village of Torbole to the left and Riva del Garda to the right
Magical atmospherics on Lake Garda. One of the ferries that connects the small towns around the lake is shown in the foreground.
The first morning of our visit to Garda showed hundreds and hundreds of small sailing boats and sailboards enjoying the very reliable winds of the area. An amazing sight.
A spot of fishing in the mist out from the Torbole foreshore
Torbole boat harbour
Riva del Garda waterfront and museum
Riva del Garda waterfront
Riva del Garda waterfront
Torre Apponale, a 13th century clock tower
Parrorrchia Santa Maria Assunta Church, Riva del Garda
Tourists in Riva del Garda
Narrow streets and high mountains, Riva del Garda
Christmas is coming to Riva del Garda
Colourful backstreets, Riva del Garda
A brisk walk of a couple of hours up Monte Stivo (~2000m ASL). Magical views.
Lonely walker
Rifugio Prospero Marchette close to the top of Monte Stivo. A good spot for lunch.
One week after sitting on the balcony of the rifugio it was blanketed in snow (one of the small black dots surrounded by snow near the top of the peak).
Now to get down
A 40-50km round trip bike ride (we cheated with eBikes) from Nago village took us to Lago de Tenno. A beautiful clear mountain lake popular with locals and tourists.
A tourist and a local
Visiting the medieval village of Canale which is located in the mountains near Lago de Tenno. The village was abandoned around the first world war but has been regenerated in recent decades and is now known as an artist community and tourist attraction.
Departing Riva del Garda for the 45 minute ferry ride to the lakeside village of Limone sul Garda
Ferries connect the small villages around the lake. In pat times these boats were the only means of communication, today there is a road around the lake although the boats still hold a certain romance about them.
Heading south on the lake, passing the base of Mt Brione with Torbole in the foreground and Nago the distance
Boats and more boats
The mountains on the western side of Lake Garda come right down to the water's edge. The slightly climbing line from right to left on the cliffs is part of an iconic local walk, the Ponale. It was closed the day that we planned to walk it due to a landslide.
Limone sul Garda on the west side of Lake Garda is a pretty village renowned for the production of citrus in the 18th and 19th centuries. A series of innovative glass houses were built that enabled the northern-most production of citrus in Europe. The citrus museum is well worth a visit.
Remains of a citrus glass house
Limone Church
Limoni citrus museum
Sue at Cascato del Varone. The cascade is a walk of about 40 minutes from Riva del Garda, but only if you get the navigation right.
The cascade park is surrounded by beautiful gardens and flowers including orchids and an Japanese themed garden
Its a wet spot, as we found out when exploring around the cascade
The town of Arco which is a few kilometres up a valley from Riva del Garda.
Arco streetscapes
Arco is dominated by Arco Castle which is well worth an afternoon
Views down the valley towards Lake Garda
The castle is located on a dry hill but innovative ways of capturing rainfall and improving nutrient supply meant that the inhabitants of the castle were well supplied with food. These olive trees are doing very well with a small platform of soil around each tree.
Terracotta, terracotta
Resting, Sue and Jo
Grapes dominate the landscape towards the villages of Dro and Drena
Magic
The jail. One castle owner kept his brother locked up, presumably in this cell, for decades. Brotherly love ????
Refreshments with a view
Malcesine Castle in the village of the same name. It is a small village a few kilometres south of Nago and is another water sports town.
Looking from Malcesine towards Limone on the other side of the lake
Malcesine art
Malcesine, a pretty town
Malcesine sailing
Nago village above Torbole on Lake Garda. We stayed in Nago at the Hotel Forte Charme (recommended) and also rented a great AirBnB (La Masera Holiday).
Al Fortino bike bar and restaurant at Nago. A great place to enjoy a beer and a snack (or meal) whilst enjoying the views.
Not a bad view from Al Fortino
Views from La Masera AirBnB, a quiet and beautiful place for a few days (or a lifetime)
