Via del Ponale - a trail carved into the rock above Lake Garda
Nearby: Riva del GardaCountry: Włochy
directions_bike Bike route
wb_sunny Route in the sun
Via del Ponale is almost an icon of hiking and cycling trails by Lake Garda! And no wonder - the trail is easy, and the views are spectacular. It is considered one of the most beautiful and well-known European routes! It looks fantastic when seen from the slope of the mountain in the town of Riva del Garda.
The Road - a marvel of technology back then!
The construction of the Sentiero del Ponale road began in 1847 and lasted for 44 years. The road was considered a marvel of technology at that time - it is partially carved into the rock and had a crucial role in connecting this region with Austria-Hungary. After the construction of a new tunnel, it was closed to car traffic - currently, it is only used by cyclists and pedestrians.
Sentiero del Ponale - entrance to the trail
The starting point of the Via del Ponale path is in the town of Riva del Garda - you will come across the path by walking along the promenade along the lake towards the square and Piazza Catena street. At the end of Piazza Catena street, there is a parking lot for cars.
Sentiero del Ponale - trail for pedestrians
The pedestrian path is often separated from the cycling route. It is gentle, easy, but rocky. The path gradually ascends and has plenty of resting spots and viewpoints.
Sentiero del Ponale - cycling with children?
The path is rocky, and although it gently ascends, I wouldn't recommend it for a bike trip with children: the continuous uphill on a non-asphalt surface can be tiring, and cyclists coming downhill (sometimes at high speeds) can be stressful for young cyclists. Of course, children have different skills, so the decision should be made individually.
Route to Lake Ledro
From the La Paola trail, you can continue your hike all the way to Lake Lago di Ledro - from where you can return to the town of Riva del Garda by bus. The further part of the trail passes by a deep gorge near the lake, and then the trail turns into the forest, leading towards another lake.
The further part of the trail goes through the forest for a long time, sometimes uphill in the shade of trees, also passing through smaller villages. The atmosphere is rural and idyllic. Occasionally, the trail is off-road, but without major technical difficulties.
Lake Lago di Ledro
Lake Ledro is the source of the Ponale River, along which the trail runs. It is a smaller lake located about 6.5 km from Lake Garda. The waters of this small lake supply the power plant in Riva del Garda. Lake Ledro has a beautiful turquoise color that shimmers in the sun and is also considered one of the cleanest Italian lakes. Unfortunately, we were greeted by thick clouds and heavy rain, so we could only glimpse its beauty for a few moments.
Publish Date: 2022-05-10
Last Updated: 2023-04-18
More in the Region Włochy (Italy)
Total Length 60 km
