Garda Welcomes! Or What to Do in the Alps in Summer

No doubt, the Northern part of Lake Garda is one of the most comfortable and hospitable places as a summer holiday destination in Europe. Hard to believe, but mountain lovers, sky conquerors, those hungry for extreme water sports and those who are simply seeking peace and tranquility – all will find their paradise here.

Riva del Garda

It is easy to fall in love with this town even just approaching it. Does not matter, which side of the town you choose to come here: from Trento in the North or from the southern part of the lake. It seems that this town won the best place on the Garda’s shores: a bay surrounded by a ridge of rocky mountains, which are not high by alpine standards, near the flat shore blown by a strong but warm south wind. Those were the main peculiarities of the area and climate that made the first residents to settle in Riva many centuries ago. Nowadays, the same features are the main magnet for many of lovers of water activities.

Water Activities

The lake is incredibly popular with windsurfers, who take advantage of just ideal conditions for windsurfing and kiteboarding crossing the lake 2-4 km back and forth. Usually, the wind is not very strong in the morning so it is better for the beginners and their coaches to wake up early to have time to conquer the waters of Garda while they are still mild. (переклад вище) Those more experienced in controlling kites and surfs will find afternoon wind more comfortable.

The most seasoned water extreme lovers arrange annual spectacular competitions and championships in Riva. Several windsurfing and kiteboarding schools and clubs open daily for anyone who wants, offering all equipment needed as well as providing private lessons for all levels: from the beginners to freestylers. Junior club FUNonBOARD school invites young conquerors of water and wind to the age-oriented classes.

Sailing clubs and schools in Riva provide a successful alternative to windsurfing and kiteboarding inviting people of all ages: both beginners and experts. Here you will learn how to sail (there are weekly courses for those who wish). They will also help you choose a sailboat for rent and, under certain conditions, will issue international license. If you want – just order an individual Garda cruise and enjoy its shores from a completely different angle. There are plenty of options to choose from. For example, every detail has been thought out for visitors in the large sailing club Circolo Vela Arco, which occupies an area of about 10 thousand square meters in Arko, a suburb of Riva. Everything is convenient: car parking, taking a shower, changing clothes. A cozy recreation area in the club’s territory provides you with a great opportunity to relax after water adventures. Others may choose smaller sailing clubs with their rich history of regattas as well as local and international events, with a usual terrace full of flowers and a restaurant overlooking the lake and the club’s own marina with dozens of yachts and sailboats.

When the lake is calm, Garda’s waters appear many-coloured due to multiple bright stripes of canoes. You can choose anything: either a slow journey alone or the one guided by the coach. The route also depends on you: along the coast past the fabulous Riva and neighboring Torbole or to the ravine closer to the picturesque Ponale Waterfall (Cascata del Ponale) the best view of which opens from the lake. Physically well-prepared brave souls may get the another portion of adrenaline joining the group of like-minded people and going canoeing the rapids and waterfalls of the fast Sark river, which flows into the lake near Riva.

The clear waters of the largest Italian lake and the sophisticated reliefs of the rocky bottom made it attractive for divers. A couple of small diving centers in Riva will give you the opportunity to appreciate the underwater beauty of this Italian lake by providing you with everything you need for a safe dive.

Full of water-related adventures, do not be in a hurry to leave the coastal part of Riva. The clean soft water of the lake warms up to a pleasant bathing temperature in summer. So if you like beach holiday, the town’s Sabbioni Beach separated from the park area by a pedestrian walkway will remind you that Riva del Garda is first and foremost a resort. Pebble on the narrow but fairly long beach change with sandy sections, which pass into green lawn. In some places, zones are divided by piles of large stones replacing benches overlooking the beauties of Garda. So there is enough room near the water for everyone and for every taste and you will not find yourself in the crowd. Just do not forget to bring towels and rugs as there is no rental on the beach. Anyway, if you visit Sabbioni Beach, you will be always guaranteed a clean beach, order, changing huts, toilets, safe pontoons, and responsible lifeguards. And the water surface with white sails in the distance, stunning views of the islands and mountains, which you can enjoy from any place on the beach, will add points when assessing beach holidays in Riva.

Cycling

Riva and the surroundings are just perfect for cyclists of all kinds. There are bicycle paths and convenient bicycle parking almost throughout the town. Come to Riva with your two-wheeled friend or rent a modern bike of the preferred model at one of the bicycle equipment rental centers, and move on! You can rent there any necessary protective equipment for safe and comfortable cycling for the whole family. They will always give you a map with the routes of various complexity and length marked on it, will help you choose the right one for you, and offer the services of a professional cycling guide at such rental centers.

Want an easy two-hour ride to the Monte Brione bunker with the height difference of not more than 250 m and with stunning views of the surrounding area? Would you like to essay your powers on the Mountain & Garda Bike route 213 km long, with the height difference of 65 m to 2100 m above sea level? This dizzying road is ready for mountain biking all year round showing mountain bike lovers the most beautiful valleys, lakes and mountains of the Trentino region. You can get necessary services along the entire route: repair shops, stores, rental centers, mtb-friendly hotels and much more that will make your trip as comfortable and safe as possible.

If you and your children are rather experienced bike riders and are ready for small ascents, descents, and serpentines, be sure to take a short bike ride along the most famous route: Old Ponale Road. Ponale Road starts on the outskirts of Riva, immediately behind the port and hydroelectric power station, and is accessible only to pedestrians and cyclists. The route does not require serious special training, but the whole road goes along a fenced cliff with such breathtaking views of the lake and mountains that it is easy to miss out and bump into hikers or cyclists who are also charmed by Garda’s beauty. Just be careful, and you will gain the unforgettable impressions while travelling to the Ponale Waterfalls along the similarly-named road. Numerous tunnels in the rocks and convenient viewing platforms will allow you to take a breath, drink some water you took with you, and to safely reach the end point of the route. There, relaxing in the shadow of a cozy café in the noise of the waterfall, you can assess your and your bike’s condition, use a free bicycle self-service mini-workshop, and make a choice: either to stock up on the water at the store and return to Riva or continue your journey by a much more difficult route through the mountains and the forest to the Ledro mountain lake.

Bike Park Busatte in Torbole, a suburb of Riva, are always ready to host stuntmen on two wheels. They have a 400 meter track for tricks, a steep half-kilometer descent with natural obstacles, zones with stones and logs, as well as jumps for beginners and those levelled up. A rental center for all the necessary equipment right in the park and the responsible highly qualified personnel will allow even those most hesitant to safely and under accurate control make the first steps in conquering simple obstacles on the beginner’s route.

Even the if you are the one who prefer more adrenaline rush associated with height and endurance to speed and bike tricks, Park Busatte is waiting for you with its small training climbing wall and air routs with nets, lianas, and cable cars.

Go Hiking in the Mountains

Wherever you look, being in Riva, you will always see rocks, mountains or their alluring peaks. So it is unlikely you will be able to resist and not go on a small hike. We have already mentioned the most accessible and popular route, the Old Ponale Road, which will help you discover the beauty of the Garda’s northern coasts. Rational footwear, some water and the maximum camera charge – that’s all you need to fall in love with this region of Italy forever unless it has happened before walking along Ponale. The emerald surface of the lake on a sunny day dotted with white sails, sun rays piercing the clouds and kissing the mountain tops, fairy small villages on the opposite coast, delicate olive trees, and mighty green cypress trees supporting the rocks on this shore. You will definitely not regret that you came to this paradise! If you want to continue exploring the surrounding area on foot, take a map of trekking routes at one of the information centers in Riva or join group tours organized in such centers to the nearest lakes, valleys, peaks, and plateaus.

Naturally, many steep cliffs near Riva attract climbers from all over the world. There are over a thousand routes for sports climbing: from family and children to the most dangerous and unpredictable ones. Keep in mind that experts do not examine all of these tracks every year. That’s why we recommend you to choose one of the certified companies in the region that carefully monitor the condition of the routes, possess modern proven equipment, work only with the best coaches, and take all the risks of climbing.

No Extreme

After so much sport, other activities, and experiences, all your body requires god rest. For example, visit the modern Garda Thermae spa-center located between Riva and Torbole and have a well-deserved relax. They offer a large selection of spa procedures, comfortable saunas, pools with hydro-massage sun beds, colour therapy, salt water and your favorite views of the lake and mountains out of the panoramic windows. A combination that guarantees complete recovery! Several hotels with spa zones, open not only for their guests but for other visitors, successfully compete with Garda Thermae.

Be sure to leave some time and energy to have unhurried walks around the historic center of the town and acquaint with it more closely! Riva del Garda is just ideal for such a pastime. You will definitely never get lost as all the Riva’s roads lead to the Apponale tower and the square with a fountain, next to which street musicians, who come to the town, find their listeners every evening. But there are days when Riva sounds different. Jazz festivals, classical music festivals, colourful dance and theatrical performances burst into the quiet life of the town. On such days, even the walls of the La Rocca museum-fortress hear the music spreading through the halls that have become concert halls for that period.

On ordinary days, Riva del Garda is a town with well-kept, restored medieval building with old frescoes, clean narrow streets with hiding tiny shops offering a large selection of olive oil and seasonings from local herbs, sweet smelling cheese shops, Italian restaurants smelling of bakery (a couple of which are proud holders of the Michelin stars), and liquor stores with sommeliers who know all about Italian wines. Dessert men are just unable to look up from the shop windows of numerous cafes and gelaterias offering delicious Italian desserts and dozens of kinds of stunning ice cream. Perhaps you should not deny yourself the pleasure to take a large portion of ice cream and continue walking to the direction of the port where your plans can change dramatically. Every 10-15 minutes ships and ferries depart to neighboring Limone sul Garda, Malcesine, Gargnano and many other picturesque villages on the coasts of Garda. If you want to see several towns of Garda in one day, buy a ticket that allows you to go ashore in any of them and return to the ship at any time of the day. After all, no one can say exactly how much you will be enchanted, for example, by canary-coloured Limone and how much time you will want to spend there. Just be sure to remember the departure time of the last ship or ferry to Riva on that day.

Whatever kind of rest you prefer: quiet and relaxed or extreme and intense, the northern part of Lake Garda will warmly welcome you. It is safe to say that you will have a lot of reasons to come back here again and again.