Sports and routes

Lots of outdoor activities

Lake Garda attracts many sportsmen and women due to the mild climate and the natural environment, but also visitors usually accustomed to easy holidays, as it encourages them to experience new outdoor activities. It’s an exciting place to such an extent that it often holds sport races and events: marathons, racing bike and mountain bike races, trail and boat races such as the popular “Centomiglia”, a regatta that takes place on Lake Garda every year. There are also car races such as the “Benacus rally” whose route starts from and ends in Bardolino twisting and turning through the hinterland.

Another interesting event is the “Regata delle Bisse”, a traditional rowing boat race with the “bisse”: historic boats dating back to age of the Republic of Venice. Fourteen lake towns join the competition including Bardolino.

Bardolino is also known for the “Bardolino International Triathlon”, the first triathlon competition arranged in Italy dating back to 1984. Athletes from all over the world join the race, trying their hand at swimming, cycling and running within an enchanting natural landscape. The Bardolino Triathlon is exciting and spectacular to such an extent that it always attracts a huge public. Together with these competitive but also folk events, Bardolino also offers the opportunity to practice sports within everyone’s means due to the key position between the lake, hills and mountains. You can choose among different sports, both on water and land, from the easiest ones to the most adventurous ones. In Bardolino you will certainly find the experience tailor-made just for you, to have fun and relax at the same time.

Triathlon

Water sports

If you love dynamic sports in close contact with water, you can’t miss the opportunities the lake gives you: from easy leisure activities such as parasailing, water skiing, sup and sport fishing to real sports such as swimming, rowing and canoeing. You can also go sailing and practice kitesurf or windsurf, but you will need to move to the northern Garda shore in order to take advantage of the favourable winds. If you want to go deeply into the lake and you are an expert in diving, you can dive in to discover its bottom among overhangs, rocks, caves and wrecks.

Windsurf

It is also a journey in search of the lake fauna that gives you the opportunity to meet some of the numerous fish species living there such as pike, eel, carp or lavaret, just to mention a few. It’s of prime importance that you know the exact place where you want to dive in; if you don’t, you can lean on a skin diving center. Don’t forget to take the buoy with you. There are also certified diving schools offering guided dives for all levels.

Land sports

Bardolino boasts a huge variety of landscapes: the inland hill country is as good as the lake shore as for charm and natural beauties. Here you can have an easy and relaxing walk among olive groves and vineyards, or practice outdoor yoga ; the most dynamic visitors can go jogging or trekking through the arduous routes. There are a lot of routes among the hills and woods that are worth discovering during all seasons. Moreover, the hinterland offers long-lasting mountain bike and racing bike excursions, together with wonderful itineraries to discover on horseback.

If you practice team sports, Bardolino offers a public football field and a basketball court. There are also tennis and golf fields with only a few kilometers in between. The “Golf Club Ca’ degli Ulivi” in Costermano sul Garda is the closest one. If you are thirsty of emotions and you love wild nature, you can go up to Monte Baldo. Here you will find a different landscape and different experiences: if you love walking in close contact with nature you can choose nordic walking or trail; if you’re already an expert, you can choose climbing or via ferratas but also hang gliding and paragliding.

Baldo

Routes

Some of the itineraries available by bike or on foot to discover the lake and its hills. They go from the easiest ones within everyone’s means to those dedicated to the most trained people. Remember that in Bardolino you can rent bikes of all kind, suitable for adults and children. The first two itineraries follow the cycling and pedestrian routes beside the lake; if you need a break, along the road you will find bars and kiosks with all kind of services n.b. The length and travel time of the routes refer to round trip.

To open the GPX files, and thus be able to view the itineraries, you must first download an application on your smartphone or tablet.
Depending on the operating system of your device, we suggest these applications:

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For Android: “GPX Viewer”, downloadable from Google Play
For iOS: “Open GPX Tracker”, downloadable from App Store

North lakeside

Bardolino> Beach towards Punta San Vigilio> Bardolino

Flat path northwards completely on the lakeshore with a splendid panoramic view of the mountains overlooking Lake Garda. In some seasons, when the lake waters are lower, it’s even possible to walk till Punta San Vigilio and its wonderful villa overlooking the small harbour. Along the easy and not at all challenging walk you will encounter the typical features of the Mediterranean fauna and flora present on Lake Garda.

La Rocca

Bardolino > la Rocca > Bardolino

You climb form Bardolino to the Rocca, the hill that tells the history and tradition of Lake Garda. Along the way, through paths rich in typical vegetation, you will encounter unique naturalistic views and numerous panoramic points. The walk has a slight difference in height and therefore shoes suitable for trekking are recommended.

The hinterland

Bardolino > Cavaion > Affi > Rivoli Veronese > Forte Wohlgemuth > Caprino Veronese > Pesina > Albarè > Bardolino

Bike or e-bike tour to discover the morainic hills and the hinterland of Lake Garda, between historic districts and vineyards. Along the way you can visit the Austrian fort Wohlgemuth (reservations and information: 3497800231). The route runs along bike paths and secondary urban roads.

Lakeside south

Bardolino > Cisano > Lazise > Bardolino

Flat route going south completely along the lakeshore which crosses the beaches of the villages of Bardolino, its romantic hamlet Cisano and Lazise. The walk is entirely on foot or cycle paths and is particularly suitable for families with children.

La Valsorda

Bardolino > Paerno > Val Sorda > Bardolino

Along the walk you will discover a unique landscape, a valley with an alpine flavour in Bardolino, among streams, waterfalls and wet vegetation. The route winds through the hills surrounding Bardolino, crossing Paerno and lapping the characteristic hamlet of Incaffi. Due to the shape of the terrain and the humidity that can be encountered, shoes suitable for trekking are essential, although the route does not present any difficulty.

Museums tour

Bardolino > Cisano > Costabella > Molini > Bardolino

A route that winds between the lakeside and the first inland of Bardolino, discovering the traditions and museums of Bardolino. About halfway along the walk, you can stop for a visit to the Ornithological Museum of Cisano (www.sisan.it). Leaving the itinerary and about 10 minutes’ walk along Via Gardesana dell’Acqua, you will find the Museo dell’Olio (www.museum.it). If you then return to the original route, on the scenic Via Costabella, you can visit the Wine Museum (www.museodelvino.it) before an easy return downhill towards the centre of Bardolino.

Bardolino Hills

Vallonga > San Vito > Feudo > Cà del Bosco > Albarè > Monte Rovertondo > Vallonga

A path that develops on the highest hills behind the town, among vineyards, historic districts and a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Bardolino and the entire southern Lake Garda. On the way there are two churches of historical and cultural importance: San Vito di Cortelline and Santi Fermo e Rustico. The walk alternates between undemanding ascents and descents but requires shoes suitable for trekking

Hermitage of the Camaldolese

Vallonga > Hermitage of the Camaldolese > la Rocca > Vallonga

Route to discover the historic Hermitage of the Calmaldolesi and the Rocca, Lake Garda’s terrace. After a very easy first climb, you’ll come to the 1600s monastery, a structure of great artistic and cultural charm that is well worth a visit (booking required at 0457211390). The itinerary continues towards the top of the Rocca from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view and then returns to Vallonga through vineyards, olive groves, oak, and cypress woods.

Districts of Bardolino

Bardolino > Modena > Valquarole > Bardolino

A walk to discover the historic districts of Bardolino and the hillside overlooking Lake Garda, particularly interesting and scenic during the autumn months for the colours of foliage. The route includes stretches of slightly uphill, but is suitable for everyone and allows you to discover the historical architecture of courtyards and buildings in districts that were among the first productive settlements linked to the typical agriculture of the area.

Calmasino and vineyards

Calmasino > Carlotte > Palù > Calmasino

Long route suitable to discover the hinterland of Bardolino and the typical wine production of this area. Along the way, which has a very slight but fascinating difference in level, you can visit the church of San Francesco, also known as the church of Palù, which dates back to 1500 and which preserves the architectural and artistic characteristics of the period (booking required at 3396539477). The entire route is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, with many panoramic points overlooking Lake Garda.

Tour of the vineyards

Cisano > Vallesana > Carlotte > Colombara > Calmasino > Giare > S. Marina > Cisano

Bike or e-bike tour in the classic environment that has made this area famous with olive groves and vineyards of Bardolino wine. There are many wine cellars and oil mills along the way where you can pay a visit and buy typical products. The route is not particularly rough, except for the initial passage from Cisano to Calmasino. The total height difference is about 150 meters, but easy to pedal.