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Riva & Arco & Lake Tenno

Riva del Garda, surrounded by high mountains, is the lively capital of northern Lake Garda, offering excellent shopping opportunities and beautiful, long beaches. Riva is very popular with swimmers, but also with surfers and sailors thanks to the reliable winds. The old town is car-free and has many small shops, restaurants, and cafés.

Arco is a spa town north of Riva, with a charming old town, cozy bars, and a remarkable castle ruin. It boasts beautiful villas, gardens, and promenades. Arco is especially known as a climbing hotspot, with spectacular cliffs and an interesting climbing stadium.

Near Arco and above Lake Garda lies the medieval village of Canale di Tenno, not far from Lago di Tenno. The village was abandoned for a long time before being revitalized by artists in the 1960s.

Lake Tenno is truly a gem in the Trentino landscape, with its wonderful sky-blue-turquoise hues. It offers beautiful hiking opportunities.

Sights

Varone Waterfall Cave Park

Swimming & Sports

Excursions & Boat Trips - Lake Garda Timetable

Restaurants

Events

1. Sights

Rocca di Riva Sea Fortress - The ancient water castle of Riva del Garda, the Rocca di Riva, still retains a austere yet elegant appearance. The stone walls, the four corner towers, and the small entrance bridge over the canal, which reflects the gardens and trees of Riva's Brolio Park, characterize the fortress. Today, it houses the Civic Museum, which houses important relics of local history, art, and culture. Here, you can find finds from the pile-dwelling settlement on nearby Lake Ledro (c. 1500 BC). Church of the Inviolata - This is Riva's most famous monument. It was built at the beginning of the 17th century by a Portuguese architect as a place of pilgrimage and as the guardian of a mysterious tabernacle. The Baroque church interior is an octagon, with five altars, three portals, vaults with frescoes and stucco work, wood-carved confessionals, and marble floors. Reptiland - This is a reptile house in the center of Riva del Garda, home to venomous snakes and scorpions, constrictors, and tarantulas. In addition to fascinating exotic animal species, Reptiland also aims to inform visitors about the fascinating fauna native to the Lake Garda region. Among the most fascinating snakes are undoubtedly the cobra, the green mamba, the rattlesnake, the Indian python, and many more. This exhibition is located at Piazza Garibaldi 1, in the center of Riva. Link: http://www.reptiland.it High above the Sarca Valley and the pretty town of Arco, the 12th-century castle sits in a spectacular rocky location. The castle can be reached on foot from the village below in about 20 minutes. The short hike through beautiful olive groves is rewarded with a magnificent view. Arco, the climbing paradise - Is there anything more beautiful than feeling the sun on your face and the warm rocks under your hands? The Sarca Valley and the town of Arco are the perfect destination. This small town is a magical center for all climbing enthusiasts, offering breathtaking climbing routes and beautiful landscapes. The Arboretum, the Arco Tree Park - In the 19th century, Archduke Albert of Habsburg had the idea of bringing together all, or at least a large part, of the Mediterranean flora in a single park, and even today, the trees and plants of the Arboretum exude all the scents one knows from the Mediterranean region. This beautiful park, close to the town center, is open to the public.

2. Parco Grotta Cascata del Varone and Lake Tenno

Excursion to the Grotta Cascata del Varone park, Via Cascata 12, Tenno. An impressive waterfall northwest of Riva del Garda, it offers a striking natural spectacle. Over millennia, the Varone torrent has carved a gorge through the rock walls and plunges into the depths with a thunderous roar. It's quite cold and wet in the gorge, so please bring appropriate clothing. Link: https://www.cascata-varone.com/de/ The medieval village of Canale di Tenno, above Lake Garda, lies near Lago di Tenno. It was abandoned and dilapidated before being revitalized by artists in the 1960s. They converted the houses into studios and created a meeting place for cultural workers. Today, people once again live in the small village, which is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Lake Tenno is truly a pearl amidst the Trentino landscape, with its wonderful sky-blue-turquoise hues. Located near Riva, the lake lies at an altitude of 570 meters above sea level, nestled in a pristine natural landscape at the foot of Monte Misone. The lakeshore is undeveloped and not directly accessible by car – a medieval staircase leads visitors to the lake. The lake is surrounded by a dense forest, which, along with the white stones on the lakebed, gives it its green-turquoise color and a touch of tropical flair. Lake Tenno is simply an oasis of peace, ideal for relaxation. Thanks to its pleasant water temperature in summer, it is also suitable for swimming. The lake can also be circumnavigated in a leisurely one-hour walk.

3. Swimming & Sports

Riva, Torbole, and Arco – these three towns form the magical sports paradise triangle. An idyllic spot for surfers, sport climbers, and mountain bikers. Here's a recommendation for mountain bikers: Ride a mountain bike or e-bike up Monte Tremalzo. The Bike X-Treme race also takes place here, starting in Riva or Limone. Torbole on Lake Garda is the ultimate surfing paradise. Monte Baldo near Torbole offers several interesting mountain bike trails. Stroll along the beautiful lakeside promenade from Riva to Torbole, which is also ideal for biking. Riva's lakeside promenade features two child-friendly beaches: Spiaggia Sabboni and Spiaggia dei Pini. Hike the steep path from Riva to the mighty Venetian gun tower, high above the town, on the rocky slope of Monte Rocchetta. From this tower, called the Bastione, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Riva and Lake Garda. Link: https://www.gardamountainbike.com - Lake Garda, a paradise for mountain bikers. Link: https://www.Gardatrentino.it - Information on mountain bike tours and more.

4. Excursions & Boat Trips Timetable Lake Garda

Boats on Lake Garda depart from Desenzano north to Malcesine and Riva. From Riva, you can return via Gargnano, Salo, and Desenzano. For information on the boat schedule on Lake Garda, click here... The car ferry takes you from Toscolano to Torri in 20 minutes. There's plenty to see on the Verona side of Lake Garda: Gardaland, the Colà Thermal Park, various nature parks and water parks, the cable car from Malcesine to Monte Baldo (at an altitude of 1,700 meters), and Verona. On the Brescia side of Lake Garda, you can visit the beautiful towns of Toscolano-Maderno, Gardone, and Salo. For information on the Lake Garda car ferry schedule from Toscolano-Maderno to Torri, click here... Monte Brione is a small low mountain range (highest point 376 meters above sea level) in the lower Sarca Valley – a hill that acts as a natural viewing platform for Lake Garda. Ideal for a springtime hike through the olive groves of Riva up to the viewpoints. The Marocche di Dro trail is an easy circular trail of approximately 5 kilometers through an almost lunar landscape, in a vast stone desert where flora and fauna have adapted to a particularly arid habitat. The Marocche are the remains of ancient, massive landslides on Monte Brento caused by the retreat of the glacier. The trail is equipped with numerous informative signposts with rest areas where you can enjoy the geomorphological and naturalistic uniqueness of this natural oasis. In this lunar desert lies the Laghisol lake, a small, isolated body of water with interesting marsh vegetation. Wellness excursion to Trento, to the Terme di Comano in Comano. The current thermal spa has bathrooms, a hydromassage area, aerosol therapy facilities, and, of course, the facilities for modern bathing. Link: https://www.termecomano.it/de The northern shore of Lake Garda around Riva and Torbole offers beautiful hiking areas, such as the Monte Baldo massif and the large Alto Garda Bresciano park, which extends to Salò. Hike along the Ponale road. This is a road on the northern western shore of Lake Garda that connects Riva del Garda with the Val di Ledro valley. Today, it is only accessible to hikers and cyclists. Excursion to Lake Ledro, a lake with deep blue waters surrounded by dense mountain forests and Alpine scenery. Excursion from Riva to the Gardens of Trautmannsdorff Castle, Via San Valentino 51a, Merano (BZ). The journey to Merano takes approximately 2 hours by car. Plan 3 to 6 hours for your visit. Link: https://www.trauttmansdorff.it/die-gaerten-von-schloss-trauttmansdorff.html Excursion to a fashion outlet, easily accessible from Riva: Falconeri Outlet, at the Ala-Avio / A 22 motorway exit, Via del lavoro 18, Avio - Superior Cashmere Falconeri, timeless fashion, is produced here without intermediaries and with respect for the environment. For lovers of cashmere and natural yarns. Link: https://www.falconeri.com

5. Restaurants

Villetta Annessa A truly beautiful location; you can eat on the terrace. Friendly service and truly excellent grilled dishes. Address: Via Monte Oro 9, near the Hotel Villa Miravalle, Riva del Garda Phone: +39 0464 55 23 35 Closed on Mondays Al Volt Atmospheric, romantic restaurant with very comfortable outdoor seating. The food is a taste experience and of high quality. Address: Via Fiume 73, Riva del Garda Phone: +39 0464 55 25 70 Ristorante Antiche Mura This well-run restaurant on the edge of the old town serves locals and tourists alike with Mediterranean delicacies from the countryside. Address: Via Bastione 19, Riva del Garda Phone: +39 0464 55 60 63 Closed on Wednesdays

6. Events

Events in Riva: Weekly market in Riva del Garda, twice a month, every Wednesday Garda Trentino Bike Festival, with over 3,000 participants, near Riva, in May Music Festival, at Lake Ledro, near Riva, in June Ledro Sky Race. Mountain Running Event, near Lake Ledro, in June Ledro Triathlon Race, near Lake Ledro, in July Medieval Festival with Dance and Folklore, in Tenno, near Riva, in August Piano Festival near Lake Ledro, near Riva, in August X-strada Street Music Festival, in Riva, from June to August Garda Jazz Festival, near Riva, Torbole, Nago, and Arco, from July to August Musica Riva Festival, with performances by young musicians, in Riva and Arco, from July to August Fairytale Night with fireworks and many events for all ages, in Riva, in early September Ledro Comics Festival (near Lake Ledro, near Riva, in September) Fiera San Michele. Cattle Drive and Livestock Exhibition on Lake Ledro, in September Choir Festival, in Riva, in October Garda con gusto. Culinary Event, in Riva, in November Events in Arco: Easter concerts in the church in Arco, from April to May Rock Master Event in Arco, in August ITSC Climbing Event Youth World Championship Arco, in August Bonsai exhibition on the topic of bonsai, in April International chess tournament, for masters and junior players, in October