Easy Via Ferratas at Lake Garda

How does this scenario sound - wake up, delicious breakfast, washed down with freshly ground Lavazza, a trip to the mountains and a via ferrata crossing. After a short descent, delightful pizza on crispy dough sprinkled with freshly ground parmesan. With that, of course, a glass of chilled white wine, for which the Trentino region (Trento in English) is famous. You can probably guess where such a day could be real...

Lake Garda is an incredibly popular region among via ferrata enthusiasts (more information about vacations in this area HERE) No wonder - the season here is the longest in the entire Alps, and the adventure offerings are exceptionally rich. Every mountain enthusiast will find something for themselves.

These may not be the Dolomites, but as early as March you can enjoy the local "iron roads" when deep winter still reigns in the Dolomites. And favorable conditions often last here until November.

 All this thanks to the unique combination of Alpine and Mediterranean climates on a European scale, which occurs in the northern part of Lake Garda. And this is where the most interesting mountain adventures can be discovered.

The mountain "capital" of the region is Arco, well known among climbers, around which most of today's featured routes are located. Short distances make it no problem to do two ferratas in one day, or go sightseeing after a great adventure. Only via ferrata Sasse is located above Lake Idro, an hour's beautiful drive from Riva del Garda. As you'll soon discover, it's really worth it!

Especially if you're a beginner, or planning a family trip, you'll be satisfied. The selection of easy via ferratas at Lake Garda is really quite large. They are often short with brief approaches, and at the same time diverse.

If you're new to via ferratas, I invite you to my series of guides introducing the world of this mountain activity click HERE.

No need to delay - time to get to know our fascinating heroines better!

Such views await us along the way. The Sarca River valley in the background 

Monte Colodri is a peak rising above Arco, adjacent to the characteristic castle ruins on the rock (we'll pass by them during the descent). The via ferrata leads to its summit, the views along the way are amazing, but the one we'll find at the top is one of the most beautiful in the area in my opinion. We can admire the castle and Arco in the foreground, further Riva del Garda, Torbole and the beautiful expanse of Lake Garda in the background - pure fairy tale!

The adventure starts at the swimming pool in Arco, next to the climbing wall where the annual Rock Masters climbing championships are held. The approach is very short, the ferrata itself is simple - suitable for crossing with children. It's rated B/C, but only a short ladder at the very end has this difficulty.

 The whole thing will take you at most 2.5 hours, it's best to set off in late morning - so that after finishing the adventure you'll hit lunch time.

The return to the starting point leads through the historic, bustling center of Arco. Perfect place for delicious pizza, pasta, or lasagna! Prices here are lower than in Riva or Torbole.

The most difficult section of via ferrata Sentiero Colodri 

Difficulty: B/C
Character: simple, short via ferrata. Suitable for children.
Starting point: Parking at the campsite in Arco (Map - click HERE)
Length: total 2.5h - 15min/1h/1.15h (approach/ferrata/return)
Elevation gain: 310 meters
Topo: link (from bergsteigen.com) 

This time it will be higher, longer, and more interesting. And again an otherworldly view of Garda, Riva and Torbole awaits you. But this time from the other side. The via ferrata will take you to the summit of Cima Capi, which has an elevation of 909 meters.

This is the longest iron road in today's lineup. The starting point is the village of Biacesca located in the valley between Lakes Garda and Ledro.

As the only one presented, it has a long approach by Garda standards - a full 1.5 hours. The descent takes the same amount. Together with the 2.5 hour crossing, it creates quite a physically demanding combination. But it's really worth it.

The approach itself is an interesting experience - it runs along relics from World War I. Due to its location, Cima Capi was a strategic point in the battles between Austria and Italy.

People with fear of heights or those inexperienced in mountain crossings must reckon with quite significant exposure. For children, it's worth taking a rope as additional security. Battle-hardened veterans will have a lot of fun instead!

If you're an early bird and have good fitness, after descending from Cima Capi towards Bivak Pracione (a building serving as shelter in case of bad weather) you can also hop to Cima Rocca summit which is accessed by the simple via ferrata Sentiero del Camminamenti.

I love such iron roads! 

When you lack strength, you can return to the starting point via another easy via ferrata Sentiero delle Laste. We chose return by normal trail - the late hour motivated us to return quickly towards dinner ;)

Difficulty: A/B
Character: not difficult, but momentarily exposed via ferrata. Requires fitness.
Starting point: Parking in the center of Biacesca di Ledro (Map - click HERE)
Length: total 5.5h - 1.5h/2.5h/1.5h (approach/ferrata/return)
Elevation gain: 850 meters
Topo: link (from bergsteigen.com) 

Here's one of the more difficult moments of the via ferrata, almost at the very beginning 

Rio Sallagoni is a great, short ferrata going through a gorge at the foot of Drena castle (which is worth visiting at the very end!). Great option for hot days - coolness guaranteed! The approach is very short - takes about 15 minutes.

Short doesn't mean boring. Quite the opposite! This is a very diverse adventure, rated C. Right at the beginning, the most difficult section awaits us (difficulty C) - crossing on metal staples along a steel cable.

If someone doesn't feel confident, there's an emergency exit before the hardest section. For children and people under 150 cm tall, I absolutely advise against it, the cable is hung quite high, which can lead to dangerous situations!

The second part of Rio Sallagoni is significantly easier (A/B), but also interesting. The gorge is wider further on, with a stream running through its middle. Above the stream you have the opportunity to tackle two rope bridges, which can however be easily bypassed. I took the plunge. They were the first rope bridges in my via ferrata career. Great experience, I recommend!

The ferrata ends at the foot of the castle in Drena. I recommend spending a few euros (I think about 4-5 euros) and going to visit it. It has been partially converted into an art gallery, which is an excellent combination. The return to the car takes a leisurely half hour.

As I mentioned, choose a hot day for Rio Sallagoni. It won't hit you as hard as on the other via ferratas in today's lineup.

After the adventure, I recommend a swim in the beautiful Lake Cavedine located near Drena. It's very peaceful there and the water has a much more human temperature than Garda :)

WARNING: Via ferrata is temporarily closed for safety reasons (as of 01.2019)

Difficulty: C
Character: medium difficulty via ferrata, unsuitable for people under 150cm tall
Starting point: Parking on road SP84 running below the castle in Drena (Map - click HERE)
Length: total 2h - 15min/1.15h/30min (approach/ferrata/return)
Elevation gain: 200 meters
Topo: link (from bergsteigen.com) 

As I mentioned earlier, Sasse is not located at Garda, but at Lake Idro - about an hour's drive from Riva. It's a very beautiful hour, I must admit.

After about 15 minutes we arrive at Lake Ledro. It's worth stopping here and visiting the reconstruction of a settlement from 4000 years ago, whose remains were found after the hydroelectric plant in Riva del Garda was launched 100 years ago.

I immediately strongly recommend proper time logistics. And I write this because near the start of the via ferrata there is the best restaurant we encountered in Italy - Ristorante Miralago (WWW - HERE)

Typically Italian atmosphere, at lunch time only locals. And very reasonable prices. The only downside is siesta, supposedly in the hours 13-17, but it's worth confirming beforehand - memory can be unreliable ;)

 

Let's move on to the ferrata. Sasse runs along the shoreline - the views of Idro are simply gorgeous! The approach is only 15 minutes, the difficulty is rated B/C. Along the way you'll only encounter two more difficult places, of which the second can be bypassed (which I recommend for people with fear of heights).

The whole adventure is generally not difficult - suitable for beginners and children. Only in rainy weather it can be unpleasant - there's a lot of earthy ground along the way. You have to be very careful!

Sasse is a very pleasant and diverse via ferrata. The most interesting section is the bridge running low over the water. Right after it, the trail descends closer to the water, we walk on rocks right by the surface.

Perfect place for a refreshing swim - I recommend bringing swimsuits. I didn't think of it, so I had to choose the naturist option :)

The return to the starting point follows the Sentiero dei Contrabbandieri trail running above the via ferrata. This is an old smuggling trail from the times of the Venetian Republic. Walking time is 45 minutes.

 

Difficulty: B/C
Character: easy via ferrata, suitable for children and beginners
Starting point: Via Porto Camarelle, Bondone (Map - click HERE)
Length: total 2.5h - 15min/1.5h/45min (approach/ferrata/return)
Elevation gain: 150 meters
Topo: link (from bergsteigen.com)

Here unfortunately ends today's adventure. But of course not the ferrata offerings that Lake Garda has. The four companions you had the opportunity to meet today are just enough for a short week's vacation. You can't skip sightseeing the atmospheric little towns in those regions.

During my vacation I had planned to visit two more great ferratas. One was Gerardo Sega in the Monte Baldo massif, where torrential rain chased me away from the very wall. For the other, running along the wall rising above Riva del Garda - Via dell'Amicizia there unfortunately wasn't enough time.

And it's a shame, because it's definitely a classic of those regions. That's entertainment for battle-hardened veterans. Perfect for crowning an active week!

Maybe you'll manage to complete the entire plan I had laid out? Unfortunately I have to wait until my next visit to Garda.