recommended route
Multi-stage route
GardaTrek - Medium Loop: 4 stages around Garda Trentino
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View from the Bastione: Riva del GardaPhoto: Archivio APT Garda Trentino, North Lake Garda Trentino
4 stages hikeable all year round, from the lake shore to more than 1000 m. a.s.l., from Mediterranean vegetation to Alpine woods: one loop, all the variety of Garda Trentino!
The GardaTrek - Medium Loop starts and finishes in Riva del Garda: the hike is a loop across the mountains around the Basso Sarca, the plain of the River Sarca, and winds up and downhill so even someone who is not an experienced mountaineer but loves long walks in the mountains can enjoy all of the environments and landscapes in Garda Trentino.
The route runs halfway along paths, mule tracks and secondary roads and is entirely signposted. This is not a route that requires mountaineering techniques, but it is still necessary to have a good training.
This hiking route can normally be done all year round, but in the winter months you might come across some snow on the way. For this reason you should check the conditions of the trails if you are thinking of doing it from November to March. In this period it's advisable to check as well the opening of moutain huts and accommodation along the route, as they might be closed.
Author’s recommendation
The Medium Loop is the ideal route to start or close the hiking season, with a not too long but always scenic route.
Track types
Rest stops
MONTE CALINO "SAN PIETRO"Safety information
Safety Tips
- Choose itineraries that suit your physical and technical abilities. Collect information about the area you are visiting and the trail’s conditions and get a detailed trekking map.
- Wear clothes and take equipment that suit the difficulty and length of your tour. Keep emergency gear in your rucksack, including first aid supplies.
- Do not go walking alone in the mountains. In any case, tell someone where you are going and report back on returning.
- Look at the weather forecast before setting off and always keep an eye on the weather.
- In case of doubt, go back. It is better to give up than risk bad weather or face difficulties beyond your strength, ability and equipment.
- Do not leave marked paths and do not take shortcuts.
- All described walks are in a natural environment and therefore their use is at your own risk.
This information is subject to inevitable variations, so none of these indications are absolute. It is not entirely possible to avoid giving inexact or imprecise information, given how quickly environmental and weather conditions can change. For this reason, we decline any responsibility for changes which the user may encounter. In any case, it is advisable to check environment and weather conditions before setting out.
Tips and hints
- The Medium Loop is broken up into stages which means you can enjoy different types of accommodation during the trek. The first stage finishes at the mountain hut Rifugio San Pietro where you can stay overnight and try out local culinary specialities.
- The other stages pass through a number of places in the area where you can find accommodation to suit all tastes, from campsites to farmhouses, B&Bs or hotels. We recommend staying in one of our Outdoor Friendly members where you will find special facilities for sports lovers.
For more information on routes, services (guides, mountain huts, shops etc.) and hiking friendly accommodation: Garda Trentino - +39 0464 554444
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The trek starts in Riva del Garda and goes up as far as Tenno, cutting across the western slopes of the "busa" (or "hole", the name in local dialect for the plains area which includes Arco, Riva del Garda and Torbole sul Garda). From here you climb to the 1000 metres a.s.l. at the mountain hut Rifugio San Pietro which is the arrival point of the first stage. Continue towards Bocca di Tovo where you begin your descent towards Ceniga, the conclusion of the second stage. The third stage initially heads north, touching on Drena, before crossing the wooded slopes of Monte Stivo to Bolognano. From here you head uphill again to the chestnut woods Castagneto di Nago and up the Segrom ridge before heading back to Torbole along the Busatte-Tempesta trail – one of the most popular trails in Garda Trentino. From here, follow the cycle path along the lake shore back to where you started from.
1. Riva del Garda - Rifugio San Pietro
Riva del Garda (65 m) - SAT 434 - Campi (692 m) - San Martino (789 m) - Pranzo (508 m) - lago di Tenno/Tennosee/Lake Tenno (600 m) - SAT 406 - Bastiani (854 m) - Rif. San Pietro (976 m)
2. Rifugio San Pietro - Ceniga
Rif. San Pietro (976 m) - SAT 401 - Vedesè (970 m ) - Treni (835 m) - Croce di Bondiga (855 m) - SAT 409 - Bocca di Tovo (1079 m) - SAT 407 - Mandrea (620 m) - SAT 408 - SAT 431 - Ponte romano/römische Brücke/Roman bridge - Ceniga (108 m)
Ceniga (108 m) - Drena (390 m) - Open Air Gallery (460 m) - Braila (530 m) - Carobbi (750 m) - Troiana (660 m) - Pratacca - IR - Bolognano (144 m)
Bolognano (144 m) - Busa dei Capitani (480 m) - Nago (200 m) - SAT 601 - Malga Zures (690 m) - Varno (590 m) - "Busatte - Tempesta" (227 m) - Torbole (67 m) - Riva del Garda (65 m)
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
The main towns in Garda Trentino - Riva del Garda, Arco, Torbole sul Garda, Nago – are connected by several urban and intercity bus lines which will take you to the starting point of tours or in the immediate surroundings.
You can also get to Riva del Garda and Torbole sul Garda by the public ferry service.
By road
The trail SAT 402/404, the departure point for this trek, is in via Monte Oro, near the covered car park.
Find out how to reach Garda Trentino.
Parking
Parking near the former hospital (Via Rosmini) or the former cemetery (Viale Damiano Chiesa).
Paid parking: Terme Romane (Viale Roma), Vecchia stazione (Largo Medaglie d’Oro), Ex-agraria (Via Lutti), Area ex-Cattoi (Viale Rovereto).
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Garda Trentino TREKKING Map – Available in the info points of Garda Trentino (Riva del Garda, Arco, Torbole sul Garda, Ledro, Comano Terme)
Equipment
You need to wear the right clothing and take the proper gear when you go hiking in the mountains. Even on relatively short easy outings make sure to take all you need so you don't run into trouble if things take an unexpected turn, for example a storm blows up or you have a sudden drop in energy levels.
What should you take when you go on a hike?
Your rucksack (for a day trip a 25/30L capacity should do) should contain:
- water canteen (1L)
- snacks (e.g. mixed dried fruit or chocolate)
- First aid kit
- windproof jacket
- fleece
- change of t-shirt and socks (in a plastic bag)
- make sure to wear or at least bring a pair of long trousers
- hat
- sun screen
- sunglasses
- gloves
- whistle to attract attention in an emergency
Make sure you're wearing the right footwear for the trail and season. The going can get rough and rocky underfoot and a pair of hiking boots will protect you from sprains. When wet, a grassy slope, rocky slab or steep trail can be dangerous unless you are wearing the proper footwear.
And finally... don't forget to bring your camera! You'll need it to capture the stunning views you come across all over Garda Trentino. And if you like, you can share your memories with us at #GardaTrentino.
Emergency telephone number 112.
Weather at the route's trailhead
Statistics
- 4 Stages
Start out with a hike through the valleys and mountain hamlets of Garda Trentino on little-frequented trails and country lanes and enjoyed the ...
A long, downhill hike towards the Sarca Valley from the thick woods of Monte Calino to the orchards surrounding Ceniga, just beside the shore of ...
Between the Sarca Valley and the slopes of Monte Stivo, this stage of GardaTrek Medium Loop crosses some of the lesser known but equally charming ...
Now you have explored the inland area, the trek turns south again, towards the shores of lake Garda, which dominates the last stretch of the ...
Questions and answers
Rating
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