Everyone knows the postcard version of Lake Garda. We’re after its higher stories. We’ll spend four days exploring the best of its northern side: two crystal lakes tucked into the hills, ancient trails connecting three regions, and ridges with views to the Dolomites. At mountain huts along the way, we’ll share hot polenta and traditional Trentino meals with endless views of blue below. Italy’s greatest lake might just be hiding its finest treasures at altitude.
Trek beyond Lake Garda’s busy shores to its untouched alpine edge
Earn your appetite on the trails, then break for traditional Trentino meals in rustic rifugios
Pack everything from lake swims to panoramic ridges into four satisfying days
Ready to discover northern Garda's best-kept trails? This four-day tour covers diverse terrain above Italy's largest lake, from Mediterranean slopes to Alpine peaks. We’ll discover two crystal lakes, cross regional borders, spot local wildlife, and explore historic sites along ancient paths. An expert GAE environmental guide leads the way, while a 3-star hotel in Nago provides the perfect base with breakfast and dinner included. Time to lace up your boots—these mountains are calling!
After arriving and settling into our Nago hotel, we’ll refresh ourselves with a walk along the Valletta di S. Lucia, the ancient road connecting Nago to Torbole, for our first encounter with Lake Garda. We’ll cross a quiet valley and ancient olive grove, hiking a path with one of the lake’s most stunning views, reaching all the way to Sirmione on the opposite shore. Passing beneath the medieval ruins of Penede Castle, once guardian of the route between Lagarina Valley and Lake Garda, we’ll descend to the lakeshore for some relaxation. The day concludes with an ascent to Nago along the path to the Marmitte dei Giganti, a fascinating site of large glacial pits carved by stone erosion, followed by dinner at our hotel.
Meals: Dinner
Hiking: 7 km / 4.4 miles
Elevation: 300 m / 984 ft
Accommodation: Hotel in Nago
We begin our day discovering one of Trentino’s true natural wonders, Lake Tenno. Nestled in pristine alpine landscape at 500 m / 1,640 ft altitude, Tenno is known as the “Blue Lake” for its crystal-clear waters. If weather permits, we’ll take a swim in it! From here, we’ll continue to the medieval village of Canale, listed among Italy’s most beautiful villages, before ascending through a forest to the San Pietro mountain hut at 1000 m / 3,281 ft. Here we’ll savor delicious local dishes while enjoying a great view of Lake Garda. On our return journey, we’ll see Lake Tenno’s waters descending down the Varone Waterfall.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Elevation: 600 m / 1,969 ft
Accommodation: Hotel in Nago
Today we’ll explore Monte Brento and its ridges in a loop hike. Though less known, this peak offers fantastic views spanning Lake Garda and the Brenta Dolomites. Our ascent to Monte Brento’s summit (1,545 m / 5,069 ft) winds through meadows and dense forests of red spruce and beech, where we might spot deer, eagles, or chamois. After lunch at Malga San Giovanni, we’ll visit the San Martino archaeological area, one of the Alps’ oldest and most significant fortified settlements. Built by Romans to counter barbarian incursions, the site spans 15,000 square meters (almost 18,000 square yards) across a rocky spur between Upper Garda and the Giudicarie.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Elevation: 700 m / 2,297 ft
Accommodation: Hotel in Nago
On our final day, after checking out of the hotel, we set off on a scenic loop through Val di Ledro, a glacial valley in the Pre-Alps. We’ll explore the shores of Lake Ledro near Molina, where roughly 10,000 Bronze Age pile dwellings were discovered in 1929. These ancient village remains, complete with preserved pottery and bronze artifacts, are documented in the Palafitte Museum. Our path will lead us up to the Nino Pernici mountain hut for lunch and a farewell view of the valley, Lake Garda, and the Ledrensi Alps, before we return to our cars for departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 8 km / 5 miles
Elevation: 600 m / 1,969 ft
Included:
Add-ons
Not included:
For these Lake Garda hiking holidays, you have to be in very good physical condition and have previous hiking experience. While you don’t need to have experience with multi-day hikes, you still need to be able to hike in mountainous terrain for four days in a row. Distances range from 7 to 15 km / 4.4 to 9.3 miles per day, with elevation gains ranging from 300 to 700 m / 984 to 2,297 ft depending on the day’s route. Exact distances and altitude changes can be found in the day-by-day itinerary.
Keep in mind that weather can be unpredictable. Even though warm and dry weather is very coming in the summer (more so than in the rest of the Alps), there’s still a possibility for cool and wet days. You’ll have experienced and expert guides by your side the whole way through, so you’ll make breaks whenever necessary and adjust the route if the hiking gets too strenuous for the group.
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and pricing
Lake Garda hiking holidays can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Lake Garda hiking holidays is Nago. To get there, most people fly into Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN) or Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Nago, where you’ll meet your guide on Day 1 of the trip. More specific information will be provided after booking.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
