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Hiking Trail
· Garda Trentino
Marmitte dei Giganti, Castel Penede, and Valletta S.Lucia - a panoramic walk
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Panoramic hike near Torbole-Nago at Lake GardaPhoto: angela@trawoeger, gardasee.de
A 6 km long, easy and panoramic route from Torbole to Nago, passing by the Marmitte dei Giganti and Castel Penede. The return is through the Valletta Santa Lucia valley.
An easy, scenic route of almost 6 km from Torbole to Nago, passing by the Marmitte dei Giganti and Castel Penede. The return goes through the Valletta Santa Lucia valley.
This route is especially quiet during the off-season and is great for stretching your legs for a few hours on an easy path.
Author’s recommendation
Castel Penede is closed due to restoration. If you do not want to visit it from outside, first follow the "Garda Trek Low" to the left.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileTips and suggestions
Marmitte dei Giganti, the "Giant's Cauldrons"
The glacier potholes of Nago-Torbole, also called Marmitte dei Giganti, formed millions of years ago when the glaciers melted and sculpted and smoothed the rock surface.
The ruins of Castel Penede
Castel Penede was built by the Counts of Arco in the first decade of the 13th century to guard the old Roman road between the upper Lake Garda and the Adige valley. The ruins of Castel Penede are located in the small village of Nago, at the end of a rocky ridge overlooking Lake Garda.
Valletta Santa Lucia
The Valletta Santa Lucia valley, with its dry stone walls, terraces, and olive groves, is crossed by an old Roman road, the only road that once connected the Adige valley, Lake Garda, and the Po plain. History tells that in 1439 the Venetians transported an entire galley fleet through the small valley of Santa Lucia to Torbole to resist the rule of the Visconti. The fleet, consisting of 25 barges and 6 galleys, came from the Adige at Mori and was transported by oxen, carts, and manpower to Lake Garda.
Roadbook
From the panoramic parking lot, go out near the church of S. Andrea northwards and descend the stairs on the left. Walk a few meters straight ahead and then take the second stairs on the left down to reach the small harbor of Torbole. Follow the bike path along the beach to the small church of Santa Maria al Lago and the former Colonia Pavese, turn right to return to Via Gardesana, cross it and take Via Strada Granda.
Stay on Strada Granda for about 800 meters and turn right at the sign "Marmitte dei Giganti", then left and keep right by following the path through the fields.
Now begins a gentle ascent among the olive trees, leading to a path that climbs steeply and almost zigzag for 200 meters until you reach a bench. Here, go down to the right to reach the Marmitte dei Giganti.
Now return to the bench, continue to the left to reach the main road, walk a few meters up along the roadside to the viewpoint on the left side and cross the road (careful, the road is heavily trafficked and there are no sidewalks or pedestrian crossings) to take the path in front of you, which is signposted Garda Trek Low.
Walk straight on the easy gravel road until you reach the large roundabout in Nago. Cross the road, climb the stairs in front of you and turn right to go straight to the meadow below Castel Penede.
Take the path on your left, which leads slightly uphill to Castel Penede. The castle on the rock ledge is closed due to restoration work.
Now go back a few meters and take the path downhill on the right, which you find in the curve. Turn left immediately and walk about 400 meters downhill to reach Nago.
Pass the row of houses, turn right and again right to take the old mule track of Valletta Santa Lucia, which in a few minutes leads you at a small intersection near the AktivHotels Santa Lucia onto Via Santa Lucia.
Take the turn left, cross Via dalla Brae and walk straight on Via della Chiesa for a few minutes until you reach the small church of S. Andrea and the panoramic parking lot.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
All bus schedules for Lake Garda can be found at:
From the south: ATV bus lines 483/484, from Garda. From Torbole or Riva del Garda: ATV bus line 483/484.
Information about getting to Lake Garda:
Directions
At the height of the Torbole marina, turn onto Piazza Goethe, cross it and take Via Riccardo Pontalti uphill on the left side. At the intersection after the traffic light, turn right into Via Santa Lucia, then immediately right again into Via delle Brae and continue for a few minutes until the panoramic parking lot on the right side.
Parking
The panoramic parking lot is subject to a fee approximately from March to November.
Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
The route is easy, but there are not many signs: download the GPS track if you cannot find your way.
Although there are many refreshment options in Torbole and Nago, you should bring water and a small snack or a packed lunch for a break with lake views.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions