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Garda Trek: Medium Loop

Name: Garda Trek: Medium Loop
Brand: Bookatrekking
Price: 330.00 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (1611 reviews)

Duration: 4 days

Trails: T2 trails

Distance: 15 - 20 km per day

Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ

> Discover a hut-to-hut trek
> Not technically difficult
> Stay in cozy rifugi and hotels

If you are looking for a hike that is not too technically difficult yet still offers challenge and stunning views, the Garda Trek (Medium Loop) is the perfect match. This trek around Lake Garda shows that Northern Italy has much more to offer than the Dolomites hiking routes. If you prefer a shorter hut-to-hut experience, take a look at our Huttentocht Dolomieten 4 dagen.

The Garda Trek: Medium Loop is approximately 71 kilometers long and takes 4 days to complete. This circular route follows the northern shores of Lake Garda, starting and finishing in Riva del Garda. Along the way, the lake is never far, offering ever-changing panoramas. With well-marked trails, overnight stays in welcoming rifugi and hotels, and non-technical stages, this trek is an ideal introduction to multi-day trekking—a great alternative to a beginner-friendly Dolomites hut-to-hut hike.

Itinerary

Day

Riva del Garda - Rifugio San Pietro

Duration: 06:10 h

Distance: 16.4 km

Ascent: 1380 m

Descent: 540 m

Today begins your 4-day hiking adventure around Lago di Garda. The hike starts in Riva del Garda, a beautiful village surrounded by olive trees, lemons, and palm trees.

Your first stage starts from Via Monte Oro, where you follow the path SAT 402 'La Pinza' up to a crossroads. Here turn right and continue walking until you reach the impressive waterfall 'Cascata dell'Ert'. Continue your journey on path SAT 434 'Claudio Fedrizzi' and move toward the charming village of Campi. If you have the energy, it's worth walking up a little extra, where you can discover the archaeological site of Monte San Martino.

On the way back, walk back to Campi via SAT 434, until you reach the main road. Follow this road in the direction of Pranzo and then cross the gorge of the Magnone stream. Now you are on the other side of the valley, near Canale, an enchanting medieval village that is among the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Your next destination is Lake Tenno, which you reach by following the SAT 406 trail. Enjoy the panoramic view of the lake before continuing along the unpaved path. Keep following this path until you see the sign for SAT 406A, then follow this forest path until you reach another unpaved path that leads you towards Bastiani.

Once there, return to trail SAT 406, and you will soon reach the first accommodation of this amazing trip: Rifugio San Pietro!

Rifugio San Pietro

Info

Day

Rifugio San Pietro - Ceniga

Duration: 05:35 h

Distance: 12.8 km

Ascent: 430 m

Descent: 1240 m

After a good night at Rifugio San Pietro, you will hopefully be well-recharged for the next stage. Today you will walk from Rifugio San Pietro to the village of Ceniga, where your next hotel awaits. This stage leads you mainly downhill into the Sarca Valley, trading alpine peaks for Mediterranean air.

Start your trek on the SAT 401 path, also known as Sentiero Frassati, and walk in the direction of Treni, culminating in the Croce di Bondiga cross. If you want to take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking view, this is the perfect spot. Croce di Bondiga offers a stunning panorama over the upper part of Lake Garda — a last Dolomitic postcard moment.

The first few kilometers remain fairly flat, but once you reach Bocco di Tovo, the descent begins in earnest. You continue your hike on SAT 409B, a forest trail that leads to SAT 407. After crossing the road onto SAT 407, there is a steep section where you should take your time and watch your step. Around 6 kilometers and again at 8.5 kilometers into the hike, you'll also pass two steep cliff sections. These are not technical but do require some extra attention and steady footing.

As you continue, the trail winds down through the forest until you emerge onto the road at Mandrea. Cross the road and follow SAT 408 to Bocchetta di Padaro. From there, descend further to Laghel, where you turn left and hike along a dirt path towards Fontane. Finally, follow SAT 431 to reach your final destination for today: Ceniga.

Hotel Garni Delle Rose (Dro)

Info

Day

Ceniga - Bolognano

Duration: 06:45 h

Distance: 20.2 km

Ascent: 930 m

Descent: 930 m

Today you will discover the lesser-known side of Garda Trentino. However, this does not mean it will be a boring walk, because this area also has its charms.

During this stage you will walk from Ceniga to Bolognano. After crossing the Sarca Valley, you will follow rural roads towards Varino over the lower slopes of Monte Stivo. As you continue your way, you will pass Maso Trenti and after a short climb you will arrive in Drena. Here you can visit "Castello di Drena," a medieval castle which was once used to control the road between Trento and Lake Garda.

After your visit to Drena, continue to Braila. Between Drena and Braila you will find the Open Air Gallery. This is an art project that transforms the forest into an open-air exhibition.

Continue the rest of the stage as you pass through Carobbi and Troiana. After passing these places, a path leads you along the mountainside and takes you to the ridge that descends from the top of Monte Stivo. You will have views of the towns of Massone and Bolognano during this hike. Continue walking downhill until you arrive in the Ir-Valley, just above Bolognano. The last part of the stage you will walk through olive groves and have reached today's destination: Bolognano.

Hotel Everest Arco

Info

Day

Bolognano - Riva del Garda

Duration: 03:35 h

Distance: 11.5 km

Ascent: 390 m

Descent: 440 m

From Bolognano, follow the forest road that climbs the mountainside until you reach Tre Croci, just beyond the Busa dei Capitani. From here, take trail SAT 637 descending towards Nago. Once a small fishing village, Nago today forms a municipality together with Torbole. Take some time to stroll through the town center before continuing along the historic Santa Lucia Trail. This charming path on old stone roads leads you through the Santa Lucia Valley and down to Torbole sul Garda. From here, follow the lakeside bike path back to Riva del Garda, your final destination for the day.

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Included

Full travel guide

You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Garda Trek. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.
Hotels, Hostels or Huts

We arrange your accommodation on the Garda Trek in hotels, hostels or huts along the way. We have selected accommodations on our trek based on the length of each stage and recommendations from hikers who have gone before us on the Garda Trek.
Half-board in Huts

Accommodation at the huts includes dinner and breakfast. We will arrange this for you as well. This allows you to travel lighter and have one less thing to worry about. Bear in mind that lunch is not included, but it can be purchased at the huts. Here you can also buy an array of snacks and bottled water.
Breakfast in Hotels

In the Hotels, we include Breakfast for you. Bear in mind that lunch and dinner are not included, but they can be most of the time purchased in or near the hotels.
Navigation support

Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.

Excluded

Traveling to and from

You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.
Transfers

Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas, ferries, etc.
Lunch

Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. You can get something to eat at the mountain huts along the way.
Travel Insurance

Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
Personal expenses

Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.
Lunch and Dinner in Hotels

Lunch and dinner are not included in the hotel stays, but you’ll find restaurants and cafés in the towns where you can enjoy a meal.