Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
LAKE LEDRO
From Riva, first the S then the SS240 wind their way west up the mountains. The road signs here speak volumes,
warning of low cloud, rockfalls and ice. It's an ear-popping drive past rural villages with an Alpine feel; detour-
ing off the main road into villages such as
Biacesa
and
Pré
provides an insight into mountain life. Around 11km
from Riva the road flattens and
Lake Ledro
(
www.vallediledro.com
) comes into view.
Only 2.5km long and 2km wide, this diminutive lake sits at an altitude of 650m, set in a bowl of tree-covered
mountains.
Molina di Ledro
is at the lake's eastern end, where tiny thatched huts line up beside a string of
beaches and boat-hire pontoons. Like Riva, Lake Ledro is the springboard for numourous outdoor activities ran-
ging from hiking and canyoning to paragliding. It also has 200km of mountain-bike trails. The Riva del Garda
tourist office
(
0464 55 44 44;
www.gardatrentino.it
; Largo Medaglie d'Oro;
9am-7pm May-Sep, to 6pm
Oct-Apr) can provide more information.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Lake Garda East Bank
Sitting in the Veneto region, the eastern shore of Lake Garda has a different character
again. Its nickname, the Riviera degli Olivi comes from the silvery olive groves that line
the shoreline and the lower reaches of Monte Baldo (2130m), a massive, muscular lime-
stone ridge that stretches 40km between Lake Garda and the Adige valley.
Malcesine
POP 3647
With the lake lapping right up to the tables of its harbourside restaurants and the vast ridge
of Monte Baldo looming behind, Malcesine is quintessential Lake Garda. Alas, it's pictur-
esque setting attracts thousands of holidaymakers and day trippers, who flood the town's
tiny streets and drive locals into the hills. The best beach is located south of the town
centre in the pretty cove of the Val di Sogno.
