Experiences at Lake Relais Gargnano:
what to do on Lake Garda

The Lake Relais Gargnano - a contemporary designed villa - is the ideal place to find oneself.

The nature surrounding Gargnano, just a few kilometres from Lake Garda, engages all the senses. In fact, the villa is located in the centre of a unique territory that combines the pre-alpine and Mediterranean environment. It is enough to take a few steps or drive for a few minutes to find oneself on the lakeshore or in the woods surrounding the estate.

Riding your e-bike or on a horseback tour you can discover the natural, authentic and genuine wonder of the surroundings. Impossible to be disappointed.

The pride of the Lake Relais Gargnano is the 18-hectare estate that surrounds the entire structure, concealing it from those who pass beyond the fence and offering a guarantee of privacy and exclusivity.

Centuries-old trees manage to coexist, thanks to the gentle climate, with more delicate essences.

The descent towards the river offers unexpected ravines, a true lovers' path. The meditation bench at the top of the estate will reconcile you with the authenticity of the surrounding nature.

On clear nights you can enjoy, thanks to the deep darkness, the spectacle of the starry sky.

After a relaxing afternoon, the full-equipped kitchen can be put at the disposal of our Chef to prepare a menu of your choice, perhaps tasting local delicacies and vegetables that the Relais offers at Km 0 thanks to its wonderful vegetable garden.

Our Chef will ensure that you can enjoy, without having to worry about a thing, this moment of relaxation by setting a table under the olive trees or in the portico on the ground floor overlooking the olive grove.

Would you like to learn how to cook typical Garda dishes? No problem: Garda wine, the catch of the day, and above all... Chef Cesare, who will be happy to assist you, offering - on request - mini cookery courses.

Fun or scenery: that is the real question on the golf courses of Lake Garda. Can your eyes follow the ball as it slowly approaches the flag? Or is your gaze captured by the charm of the scenery? Either way, you will be delighted.

Stretching over an area of 110 hectares, the Gardagolf Country Club includes 27 holes between the Rocca di Manerba, the castle of Soiano and the hills of the Valtenesi, with a panoramic view of extraordinary beauty. Cypresses, olive trees, centuries-old oaks, maritime pines and holm oaks complete the landscape.

The Bogliaco Golf Club is also only 20 minutes away by car. The 18-hole Par 70 course has already left several international guests speechless. A historic English-style course set in a picturesque natural landscape with lake views. A course that deserves to be played. Here one must be precise, with a touch of dexterity. As a reward, a fantastic panorama. Thanks to the mild climate, you can play almost all year round.

Hiking around Lake Garda: every step is worth the effort.

Anyone who feels like walking - or cycling - is in his or her ideal place!

Those who adore mountains often speak of true magic. Here you will find the precious nature at the foot of the pre-Alps: ridges, cultivated meadows, the pools of water in the woods, the botanical jewels of the rocky vegetation, the centuries-old trees and the ancient villages.

If you are undecided about what to do or prefer to set off accompanied, please contact us directly. We will provide you with plenty of advice for your excursions or, on request, organise an excursion with a mountain guide for you.

#1 – Hiking among the villages of Monte Gargnano

The proposed excursion is a circular one, joining five of the villages in the area known as Monte Gargnano. It is a peaceful itinerary, amidst ever-changing panoramas, suspended between lake and mountain and with numerous noteworthy architectural features: the very composition of the villages, the small churches scattered along the route, the votive chapels dotting the ancient mule tracks at the crossroads.

Particular mention must be made of the vegetation, which, thanks to the temperate climate, favours the presence of olive groves up to 500 metres above sea level (an exception, given the latitude of the area) and chestnut groves in the upper reaches. The natural flora offers various blooms in spring, among which are the precious orchids. Among the bushes, the presence of ash ash trees and scotani is widespread, elements that stand out in the landscape with extensive spring blooms and variegated palettes of colour in the autumn period.

The towns crossed are Navazzo (recommended starting point), Musaga, Sasso, Liano, Formaga (but you can also proceed in the opposite direction, as you like). In all, about 6.5 km, with a difference in altitude of about 280 metres. Although not particularly demanding, the route has a few short stretches on an incline, or on a path.

We recommend that you wear suitable footwear and... have a good walk!

#2 – Walk from the port of Gargnano

Average travel time: 1.20 hours

Entering the oldest quarter of Gargnano, across Via Forni on the façade of a house, we find the first of the sacred images, known locally as 'santelle', that we will discover as we walk. This one is composed of enamelled plaster figures.

At the exit of the road, under an arched house, we turn left, passing under the stone bridge of the Gardesana 45bis, where the old village fountains are located.

Continuing uphill, we pass a crossroads, taking the street in the centre (Via Dosso), which narrows between walls and moves away from the village.

At the entrance to Via Dosso, we notice, on the right, another 19th-century shrine with an image of the Madonna and, after a hundred metres at another crossroads, we find the "Madunina dei fèr" shrouded in a thick rose garden.

Turning right, continue uphill on the cobbled road to a new crossroads with the Santella dedicated to St. Charles. From here, continue following trail marker no. 37 (for Musaga) of the Via Quarcina.

The olive groves now begin and, where the high walls of the lemon houses slope down, at a small widening, you can stop and look out to admire and photograph the panorama of the coast and the beautiful bell tower of S. Martino.

Passing by a lemon grove, we continue along the narrow road, which at a certain point becomes little more than a path with a dirt surface; this is the highest point of the hike. Immediately afterwards, at the crossroads with Via Mulini paved in cement, we begin to descend (h. 0.40 from the start, difference in altitude approximately 200 metres).

The place is known as 'El pulpit', or the pulpit, being in a dominant position on the coast. On the side of the hairpin bend, a small image of the Madonna and child adorns the wall of a small orange house.

The steep road that one follows is Via Molini, which once housed dozens of mills and oil mills that used the water of the torrent as motive power. A building in this street preserves a figure of the Madonna with saints.

At the next fork, keep to the right and after a while, cross the provincial road going downhill to the left.

After only twenty metres, you detach from the main road, taking the lane to the right that has a handrail to overcome the steepest part; at the small and delightful widening that you reach, you can admire two more shrines.

Continue left, passing under an arch and over a small stone bridge crossing the stream from which the mills drew water. You walk along Via Torrione, between the high walls of the Limonaie. You come out either on the main road, opposite the building of the old Lake Garda Society.

From here, taking the subway beside the Town Hall, you reach the footbridge on the lake, in view of the old houses rising directly from the water, and soon find yourself at the small harbour, the starting point of the excursion.

#3 – In the footsteps of D. H. Lawrence

A walk around the places visited by the famous writer D. H. Lawrence when he spent a few months in the municipality of Gargnano a hundred years ago.

David Herbert Richards Lawrence (Eastwood, 11 September 1885 - Vence, 2 March 1930) was an English writer, poet, playwright, essayist and painter.

Lawrence's most famous books are Sons and Lovers (1913) and Lady Chatterley's Lover (1928).

#4 – San Valentino and Cima Comer

Walking through the alleyway between the stone houses of Sasso di Gargnano (which is at an altitude of 550 metres), following the red and white markers, you soon reach the path proper, which begins to climb without presenting any difficulty. At a certain point, signs at a fork indicate Cima Comer on the left and the hermitage of San Valentino on the right, just 10 minutes away. A short descent into the forest, then climb up to a small wooden door. The nice door opens and stairs in the forest lead to the hermitage, a surprising construction, considering the sheer wall looming behind it.

Looking at the hermitage, a path climbs to the right towards Cima Comer. Leaving the peaceful terrace on the lake, one thus climbs up the rugged mountain. This part of the itinerary is not very easy, but it does have wire ropes to aid the ascent. Alternatively, to avoid any risk, you can return to the junction described above and then walk towards the Cima Comer via the easier forest path.

The summit of Cima Comer is 1279 metres above sea level and gives a splendid view of most of Lake Garda (only the northernmost part remains hidden). The walking time from Sasso di Gargnano is about two hours - not counting the time spent enjoying the hermitage of San Valentino.

View route map

#5 – The suspended passage between water and sky

To access it, it is necessary to leave your car in the multi-storey car park on the lakeside promenade (Lungolago Marconi) in the municipality of Limone sul Garda and from there continue for 4 km by bicycle or on foot in complete tranquillity.

An E-bike rental point has been set up at the multi-storey car park on the lake promenade, to be used exclusively for cycling along the cycle path.

The pedestrian cycle path is accessible to everyone and open 24 hours a day. The route, which leads from the multi-storey car park on the lakeside promenade to the Trentino border, is 4 kilometres long, and the last two are covered by pedalling or walking suspended between the blue of the lake and the blue of the sky, in the great beauty of Lake Garda.

For those who only want to enjoy the last two kilometres overlooking Lake Garda, there is a motorbike taxi service, at a cost of €12, that will take you to the vicinity of the track entrance.

View route map