In part 1 of her blog post, Christina from Product Management shared her unforgettable impressions while developing the Around Lake Garda Hiking Tour.
After exploring the picturesque trails in the alpine north and the elegant Lombardy region, her journey now takes her along the eastern shore of the lake back toward Trentino. Mediterranean landscapes and the impressive paths along the slopes of Monte Baldo accompany her northward all the way to Riva del Garda.
The flat southern shore of Lake Garda is not exactly inviting for hiking – here, asphalt roads and farmland dominate. Perfect for cycling, but less suited for exploring on foot. So I hop on a boat and cross over to the eastern side, where the famous towns lie – the so-called “pearls of Lake Garda”: Bardolino, Lazise, and beyond. This is where pure hiking bliss begins: flat, sunny, and always right along the water. There are countless swimming spots, plenty of charming cafés, and yes, a few more tourists, too. I continue strolling along the shore, past cocktail bars with straw umbrellas, little Ferris wheels, and the bustle of summer.
After a while, just walking along the flat waterfront becomes a bit monotonous, so I set off on a trail leading into the hills above the lake. The climb is sweaty, and it takes quite a while until I finally discover the hidden passage between two campsites that brings me onto the right path. At the top, I’m welcomed by cool forest, and eventually I reach the ridge of the Rocca di Garda. The view from up here is simply breathtaking: like from a pulpit, I overlook Lake Garda – to the south the long bathing beaches I came from, and to the north the town of Garda with Monte Luppia rising behind it.
I savor the enchanting silence during a detour to the monastery. Hardly anyone passes by up here. In the monastery shop, a friendly monk welcomes me, lets me take a look inside the church, and invites me to explore at my own pace. You can’t continue hiking from here, but this moment of stillness feels like a gift. Recharged by the power of nature and the forest, I begin the steep descent back to Garda. A narrow cart track and steps lead me downhill – and then, quite suddenly, I’m standing right in front of my hotel again. A dive into the large pool brings refreshing relief. What a day!
I decide to stay a few days longer to explore the area. To find the very best routes for our Eurohike guests, I’m happy to go the extra mile – because I want to offer trails away from the beaten path. Some routes reveal themselves right away, sometimes I’m stopped by locked gates or fences, and other times I have to turn back. Again and again, I pause, check the map, and rethink. I wander crisscross through the landscape – because only by trying everything can I truly know if a trail is worth it.
Even turning back isn’t really a setback – on the contrary, eliminating a path is also a way of moving forward. And time and again, I stumble upon places of stunning beauty – so unexpected and atmospheric that my heart does a little leap each time. It’s a joy every time I piece together another wonderful stage of the tour. When I return in the evening, the day is far from over: saving GPS data, sorting notes, reviewing photos – and of course, planning the next stage.
Slowly, I make my way back toward the northern part of Lake Garda, and with each step, the landscape grows more alpine – steeper, rockier, and higher. I take a local hiking trail I spotted on the map, which leads to a remote hermitage perched high on the slopes of Monte Baldo. The path winds upward in seemingly endless switchbacks, laid with old stone paving once traveled by farmers and pack animals. I hardly encounter anyone here. For most beachgoers, this trail is too remote, too high, too lonely – but that’s exactly what I love about it. At the top, there’s no café, but there is a bench and a breathtaking view: gray, jagged rock spires rising above a lush green canopy. The scenery almost feels like a tropical forest or the solitude of the Andes – a world apart from the bustling shores of Lake Garda. I continue, traversing the mountainsides, until the gondola station brings me suddenly back to civilization: a restaurant, a parking lot, people, and the cable car. Effortlessly, I glide down to the lake at Malcesine. Below, the charming town welcomes me with its impressive castle, summer warmth, cozy cafés, and a small beach. Even here, it’s simply breathtaking!
There’s still some time left, so I set out to explore a loop that’s better suited for bad weather or tired legs than the long climb into the mountains. Starting directly from Malcesine, I follow the Sentiero dei Capitelli along narrow, stone-paved paths that were once used as mule tracks. The trail winds upward to the viewpoint at the Madonna dell’Accoglienza – an impressive statue that watches over the town from high above.
I continue uphill into the woods until I reach the high trail and the standard Eurohike route, which leads back to the cable car station. But curiosity gets the better of me, and I decide to continue descending on foot to see how the trail winds down into the valley. It’s well worth it: the shorter loop can easily be completed entirely on foot, following old mule tracks with breathtaking views – no cable car required. After all the exploring above Malcesine, I can hardly decide what I loved most.
One stage is still missing – and I know exactly where I want to go: the famous Busatte Trail. An adventurous path carved into the cliffs, it winds along nearly vertical slopes above Lake Garda via steps, bridges, and walkways. Originally, this trail wasn’t built for hikers at all; it was created to stabilize the steep slopes for forestry and fire prevention. Without it, these mountainsides would be completely inaccessible.
I get off at the bus stop and pause for a moment: where do I even start? No sign, no indication, nothing. I pull out the map, search a bit, slip through some bushes – and there it is. Further up, the path widens and climbs steeply to a gravel road, where trail markers finally confirm I’m on the right track. Soon after, I reach the entrance to the Busatte Trail. Good thing I’m not afraid of heights, because the trail really does climb steeply along the cliffs via steps. But no worries – everything is perfectly secured, so I can fully focus on the views – and they are truly breathtaking. Some of the ascents and descents are challenging, yet I’m so captivated by this fascinating trail that I barely notice the effort. At the end of the trail, a gentle nature path begins, and the hiking flattens out. Before long, Riva del Garda comes back into view. At Bar Busatte, it’s time for a well-earned espresso.
I set out once again to explore more trails around Torbole, Nago, and Riva. After all, the Busatte Trail isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – and it’s not ideal for canine companions. This time, I try something different: the Strada Santa Lucia, an old route from Torbole up to Nago Castle. A total hit! I really enjoyed this path. The gravel trail winds peacefully through olive groves. On the wooded ridge, I take a short detour past an old ruin and pause at a drinking fountain. The next section leads me to Nago, a quiet village with narrow streets and at least a few cozy cafés. Luckily, in Italy, good coffee is never far away. Now it’s time to head back down to the lake. Finding the right path isn’t so simple: the map shows a tangled network of roads, bike paths, and tractor tracks. With a bit of focus and some good sense of direction, I finally spot the narrow entrance to the hiking trail. And then it’s downhill.
A trail sign sparks my curiosity: “Marmitte dei Giganti” – the “Giants’ Kettles.” These impressive rock formations, hollowed out by glaciers long ago, look like enormous stone pots. The descent is steep, so I take it carefully, step by step, until I finally arrive: a towering rock, small caves, shadows, and silence. It’s awe-inspiring to see what the forces of nature have shaped over millennia. The path doesn’t continue here, so I climb back up. Just a few steps later, an old wooden sign pointing to “Torbole” catches my eye, and I follow it across fields and small streets down to the town’s beach. The way back to Riva isn’t far. I could take the bus, but I decide to keep walking, strolling leisurely along the shore until I reach Riva’s harbor. Lounge music, a relaxed atmosphere, and a touch of Mediterranean charm greet me. Everywhere, inviting spots tempt you to lie down, swim, rest, or simply soak in the holiday mood. And of course, there’s gelato – Italian ice cream, an almost obligatory ritual at the end of the day. I’ve made it.
The journey around Lake Garda is complete. The trails have been walked, impressions gathered – and the notebook is full. I probably have enough material for around 16 stages, yet the work is far from over. There’s sorting, reviewing, analyzing, reflecting, discussing with the team, and then fine-tuning everything to perfection. After all, only the most beautiful trails should remain, perfectly organized and ready for “just hiking.” With Eurohike, you always get a convenient all-in-one package: the most scenic routes, carefully chosen accommodations, high-quality route materials and navigation app, and, of course, hassle-free luggage transfer.
But that’s all for the future. Right now, here at my destination in Riva, none of that matters. I treat myself to a huge, well-deserved gelato after the long journey, sit by the water, and gaze across the vast expanse of the lake. Fifty kilometers (about 31 miles) as the crow flies to the southern shore, where I hiked what feels like ages ago. My exploration was so full of experiences and impressions that it feels as if I’ve been on the trail for months. Tired, content, and maybe just a little proud, I sink into bed and, in my dreams, hike once more to the most beautiful spots of a wonderful Eurohike tour around Lake Garda.
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