Trip Overview
Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake, yet the vertical limestone walls above its northern shore remain one of the country's best-kept climbing secrets. The Prealpi Gardesane mountains rise directly from the water outside Riva del Garda, creating a playground of via ferrata routes that combine alpine exposure with a Mediterranean climate and lakeside comfort.
On this four-day adventure, under the guidance of a UIAGM/IFMGA Professional Mountain Guide, you'll begin with a full technique and safety briefing, then climb routes matched to your ability and the conditions. You may ascend the historic Cima Capi, where WWI walkways and tunnels cut through the rock 900 meters above the lake. You may test yourself on the polished limestone and overhanging ledges of Monte Albano or follow the ancient Smugglers' Trail, once used by salt traders, that now offers exposed ledges and a sheer drop to the water below. On hotter days, the Rio Sallagoni route climbs through a cool river gorge, with waterfalls and iron rungs fixed into smooth canyon walls.
And while you'll be climbing the great walls above Lake Garda during the day, you'll be climbing into bed in an excellent, hand-selected hotel in Riva del Garda for all three nights. After each climb, you'll descend to the lakeshore for an exquisite warm shower, dinner in town, and an evening stroll through medieval piazzas. With a season stretching from April through October, this is an ideal introduction to via ferrata or a rewarding trip for experienced climbers seeking route variety. Scale the walls above Lake Garda and request your custom itinerary now.
Highlights
- Discover Via Ferrata climbing and Italian culture on a 4-day getaway in the Mediterranean climate of Lake Garda.
- Scale a different via ferrata each day, choosing from options such as the WWI fortifications of Cima Capi, the technical walls of Monte Albano and the dramatic Smugglers' Trail
- Learn via ferrata technique and safety from expert UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guides with a dedicated skills lesson
- Climb vertical limestone walls with views over the blue waters of Lake Garda and the surrounding Prealpi Gardesane
- Explore the medieval resort town of Riva del Garda, rich with Austrian and Italian heritage
- Enjoy a longer climbing season with departures from April through October
- Relax for 3 nights in an excellent hand-selected 4-star hotel in Riva del Garda
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.
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Day 1
Hotel in Riva del Garda or Arco di Trento
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Day 2
Hotel in Riva del Garda or Arco di Trento (B)
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Day 3
Hotel in Riva del Garda or Arco di Trento (B)
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Day 4
Area Map
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 handpick 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? Extend your adventure!
Dolomite Mountains offers fantastic extensions that you can enjoy before or after your trip to Lake Garda.
Explore Venice, Verona, Florence, or Milan, or any of the many other magical places found throughout Italy. There isn't a 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
€ 1.720 per person (2 participants)
€ 1.240 per person (4 participants)
€ 1.330 per person (6 participants) - 2 guides
Self-guided trips are not available.
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. Single room supplement: on request
We will do our best to place 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 12 to September 6.
- 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' accommodation in a 4* hotel 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
- An €18 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon neutral.
- Italian VAT Tax
Itinerary in Pictures
Lake Garda Via Ferrata Adventure: Climb above Italy's largest lake on a four-day via ferrata getaway based in Riva del Garda. Discover historic WWI fortifications on Cima Capi and conquer the walls of Monte Albano, where olive groves and citrus trees flourish at the base of the same cliffs you climb. By day, you'll scale vertical limestone walls above the lake's intense blue water and by night, relax in the comfort of your lakeside hotel.
Area Map
