Lake Garda

Lake Garda Via Ferrata Adventure

Hike and climb your way high above Lake Garda on WWI via ferrate, ascending a different challenging route each day. Discover the intense blue waters of Italy’s largest and most beautiful, yet least well-known lake, from a perch with a birds-eye view!

Trip Overview

Tucked into Northern Italy, Lake Garda is blessed with beautiful beaches, intense transparent blue water, vertical rocky cliffs, rolling hills, and towering mountains, all waiting to be discovered. Just a few hours drive from Milan, Venice, and the Dolomites, Lake Garda (Lago di Garda or Lago Benaco) is the largest, yet least well-known of Italy's lakes. Carved by glaciers, the diversity of the landscape here is truly remarkable. The temperate climate and flourishing vegetation – primarily olive and lemon groves, orange trees, palms, cypresses, and oleanders – combine with the landscape. Together they provide a lush background to the remarkable historical and cultural remains dotting the shoreline. Plus, the Dolomite Mountains are never far away, and can be seen towering above the lake to the north and east.

Set above the narrow northern part of Lake Garda is Arco di Trento. Enclosed by mountains, the jagged rock surrounding Arco creates not only beautiful fjords on the lake, but also fantastic opportunities for climbing via ferrata! Via ferrata literally means “iron path,” originating from the metal ladders used by the military in WWI to navigate these mountains. While the Dolomites are well known for being on the front lines of the First World War, Lake Garda and its surrounding mountains to the north played a significant role in the war as well. Not only did soldiers carve tunnels and galleries in the rock and set up elaborate via ferrata or “iron paths” to move through the mountains, the waters of Lake Garda were set with mines. While most of the via ferrate have been replaced with newer hardware, almost half of the ferrata above Lake Garda follow the original soldiers’ routes, allowing you to climb over the fortifications and through the trenches and tunnels of the original battlefields of World War One, high into the mountains. And, with the proximity to the lake, you’ll have stupendous panoramas throughout your climbs!

Our via ferrata holidays provide an opportunity to learn the rope work skills required for the safe use of this type of route. All of our via ferrata trips are led by UIAGM/IFMGA Professional Mountain Guides, ensuring your safety and enjoyment. Completely protected, attached to a system of anchored cables while you climb, you’ll enjoy vistas typically reserved only for mountaineers!

Highlights

  • Experience Lake Garda from above, climbing exciting via ferrate that offer stupendous views of Italy’s most beautiful, yet least well-known lake!
  • Hike and climb your way along a different via ferrata each day, many of which follow the same routes soldiers used during WWI
  • Stroll the medieval resort town of Riva del Garda on the northern shore of Lake Garda, and experience centuries of Italian and Austrian history through the culture and cuisine
  • Explore the attractive town of Arco di Trento on the northern end of Lake Garda, famous for rock climbing on its vertical limestone walls

Day By Day

Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of the Dolomite Mountains Team and your mountain guide. Daily mileage and altitude gain may vary depending on the device used.

  • Day 1

    Hotel in Riva del Garda or Arco di Trento

  • Day 2

    Hotel in Riva del Garda or Arco di Trento (B)

  • Day 3

    Hotel in Riva del Garda or Arco di Trento (B)

  • Day 4

Accommodation

Great hotels with Dolomite Mountains. Whether intimate lodge, family run B&B, or luxury spa resort, our hotels are unique, eminently local, and hard to leave.

At Dolomite Mountains, we hand pick accommodations that best reflect the style of each region, to provide you with the most authentic experience of the unique cultures found in the different cities and towns where we travel. We work directly with the owners of each property, forging strong relationships to ensure you receive the best service and care during your stay. Regardless of whether it is a five-star luxury hotel or a cozy bed and breakfast you desire, we choose the best-in-class accommodations within each category, providing you stays at the most sought after hotels in each region. And, we always make sure you have access to inspired, regional cuisine!


Prefer luxury accommodations?

You can also book a custom departure of this trip using our luxury hotels. For details, please contact us.


Still want more? Why not extend your adventure!
Dolomite Mountains offers fantastic extensions that you can enjoy before or after your trip in Lake Garda. 

Explore VeniceVeronaFlorence, or Milan, or any of the many other magical places found throughout Italy. There's no more perfect way to recover from jet lag upon arrival, or delay your return to reality at the end of your trip!

Cost

All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions.

Guided Private Trips

€ 1.740 per person (2 participants)
€ 1.240 per person (4 participants)
€ 1.340 per person (6 participants) - 2 guides

Single room supplement: on request

Self-guided Trips are available on request. 

Good via ferrata experience required for self-guided via ferrata trips. The first day will be guided. 

Via ferrata equipment is not included on self-guided trips.

The cost is based on the specified hotel category (please see the cost inclusions list). If you would like an upgrade, please get in touch with us for a quotation.

We will do our best to accommodate you in the specified class of accommodations. However, if there is no availability in this category, we will offer you the next available classification at a supplementary price. 

Important to note:

  • There is a high-season 15% surcharge from July 14th to Sept 8th. 
  • Prices may increase between the time of quotation and booking. Your Dolomite Mountains consultant will inform you of any changes.

Cost Includes:

  • Trip briefing
  • Logistics and map of the area
  • 3 nights accommodations at B&B in Riva del Garda
  • All breakfasts
  • Local English speaking Professional UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide for 2 days
  • Technical via ferrata climbing equipment
  • Transfers in the area as per itinerary
  • A €15 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon-neutral 
  • Local tourist tax
  • Italian VAT Tax

Airport transfers available on request.

Area Map