Garda between Lake, Trails and History

Garda connects Lake Garda with a rich and varied history. The municipality is home to more than 250 rocks bearing over 3,000 rock carvings dating from the 13th to the 7th century BC. Between the lake, forest paths, churches and a former monastery, it offers a destination for culture enthusiasts, walks and activities on the water.

Lakeside and trails around Garda

At Al Corno Beach, white pebbles characterize a stretch of shoreline surrounded by greenery in the Gulf of Garda. It extends for four kilometers to Punta San Vigilio. A 700-meter-long area marked by buoys is used for open-water swimming and training. Al Corno can be reached on foot from Garda harbor in ten minutes.

The walking path from Garda to Punta San Vigilio runs along Al Corno Beach. During the first two kilometers, the surface is paved; after that, it consists of pebbles. The area of Garda and Costermano sul Garda also offers walking paths as well as more challenging hiking and cycling routes through wooded trails with panoramic views.

Another easy option is the five-kilometer-long, level loop between Garda and Bardolino. It follows the disused Garda–Caprino railway line and offers lake views. A path through meadows and forests leads to the Eremo dei Camaldolesi; in the final section, it passes olive groves and vineyards before reaching the path leading to the hermitage monastery. The former Benedictine monastery was founded in 1663.

Getting around by boat, bus and water sports

When choosing accommodation, the combination of bus and boat connections provides a practical point of reference: you can consider whether you mainly want to use Garda for trails, cultural experiences or days by the lake. From the harbor, boats operated by Navigazione Laghi Garda connect Garda with Lazise, Peschiera del Garda, Desenzano, Salò, Gardone Riviera, Limone sul Garda, Riva del Garda and Malcesine.

The scheduled bus service connects Garda with important places on Lake Garda, Verona, the Valpolicella area, Monte Baldo, the railway stations in Peschiera del Garda and Verona, and Verona Airport. On the water, the Garda section of Lega Navale Italiana offers sailing courses and sailing activities with Optimist dinghies, dinghies and cabin boats. Independent SUP excursions are possible at Al Corno Beach; a SUP school provides advice and guidance.

Traces of history and local culture

Rocca Vecchia bears traces from the Paleolithic, remnants of medieval fortification walls and trenches from the two world wars. The parish church of Santa Maria Maggiore has early Christian origins that may date back to the Lombard period. Its cloister was built in the 15th century.

A church houses a 16th-century painting by Paolo Farinati depicting the martyrdom of Saint Stephen. The upper floor of the museum displays historical fishing equipment and large fishing nets that were used at the end of the 19th century to catch trout and local carpioni, which were particularly valuable. Fishing is an old tradition in Garda that connects nature, the landscape, the local population and their stories. The Sagra di San Bernardo takes place every year for three days around August 20.

Further destinations to explore on Piazze: Braga, Fornello, Castion Veronese, Pedemonte, Cerro Veronese, Mezzane Di Sotto, Malcesine and Isola Della Scala.

For the overarching travel overview: Verona.