The life of a windsurfer on Lake Garda has a very regular daily routine. The (early) morning view of the lake determines whether breakfast consists of a quick espresso and a croissant in your hand or whether it's time for a cosy cappuccino in a bar in Torbole. When the morning north wind Peler or Vento, as it is colloquially known, blows, then it's off to Navene or Malcesine on the eastern shore or to the Hotel Pier, Limone or even Campione on the western shore. As the morning progresses, the north wind dies down and then it's time for the next coffee and a delicious panino for refreshment. But the keen Lake Garda surfer rarely takes his eyes off the lake. As soon as the water on the horizon to the south starts to ripple again, the surfer's body is once again in turmoil. The Ora is coming! Now it's time to hoist the slightly larger sails and hit the water at the well-known spots in Torbole, Riva or at the Hotel Pier. But what if your favourite rhythm is disrupted by a lack of wind or open palms? Then Lake Garda and its surroundings offer countless alternatives - either with lots of action or more relaxation.
You can find a lot of information on: visittrentino.info/en and gardatrentino.it/en
The range of sports on offer in Trentino is almost inexhaustible.
Windsurfing
The history of funboard windsurfing in Europe and Lake Garda are closely linked. In the early 1980s, word quickly spread in the scene that the long lake in northern Italy had an exceptionally reliable wind system. In the morning, the cold air from the mountains in the north "falls" down onto the lake. The Peler or Vento can become very strong and blow through relatively far to the south. If the mountain slopes north of the lake warm up considerably in the sun during the course of the day, the system turns and the air is sucked from the south to the north. The Ora is usually somewhat weaker than the north wind. Almost inevitably, the northern part of the lake has probably the highest density of surf schools and professional hire centres in Europe.
Lake Garda is and remains a mecca for windsurfing. Italy's Olympic surfer Nicolo Renna comes from Torbole.
(E-)Bike tours
Alongside windsurfing, mountain biking is probably the sport for which Trentino and the Lake Garda region in particular are internationally renowned. The annual bike festival in Riva in May is one of the most famous gatherings of the mountain bike scene. There are countless tours around the lake and in Trentino, some of which are very challenging and too difficult for mountain bike beginners. There are numerous bike hire stations in Torbole and Riva. We have selected five easy tours that are nevertheless very beautiful and varied.
1. ponale street
One of the most famous and beautiful routes on Lake Garda. The Ponale road runs along the western shore and offers breathtaking views of the lake.
- Length: approx. 10 kilometres
- Start/Finish: Riva del Garda
- Degree of difficulty: moderate gradient
- Special features: Wide path, well developed, spectacular viewpoints
2nd tour around Lake Tenno
A relaxed tour around the picturesque Lake Tenno north of Lake Garda. Ideal for a leisurely ride.
- Length: approx. 7 kilometres
- Start/Finish: Tennosee car park
- Degree of difficulty: low, gentle gradients
- Special features: Crystal-clear water, bathing facilities, picnic areas
3. sarca valley
An easy tour through the wide Sarca Valley, passing through hamlets, orchards and along the river Sarca.
- Length: approx. 20 kilometres (there and back)
- Start/Finish: Riva del Garda or Arco
- Degree of difficulty: simple, very flat
- Special features: Fairly flat route, historical sights in Arco
4th tour to Dro and Ceniga
An easy tour through the hinterland of Lake Garda on cycle paths and roads with little traffic.
- Length: approx. 15 kilometres
- Start/Finish: Arco
- Degree of difficulty: low, low gradient
- Special features: beautiful landscape, typical Italian village ambience
5th Monte Brione round
A short and easy route that leads around Monte Brione, a small hill between Riva del Garda and Torbole.
- Length: approx. 8 kilometres
- Start/Finish: Riva del Garda
- Degree of difficulty: moderate gradient
- Special features: Historic fortifications, marvellous view of Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains
SUP tours
If you don't want to move away from Lake Garda, you can take a beautiful tour from Torbole to the Ponalegrotte with its marvellous waterfall. From Torbole, with the north wind dying down, the route goes via Riva and then southwards along the western shore to the grotto. The route is around 3.5 kilometres long. In hot weather, the fresh waterfall in the grotto provides wonderful cooling. When the south wind sets in, you can paddle downwind directly back to Torbole. When planning your trip, make sure that the weather forecast does not predict a northerly wind all day. If you want to discover something new, you should take your SUP towards Trento and then on to the Valsugana. There, the two beautiful lakes of Levico and Caldonazzo are almost next to each other. Both lakes have been awarded the "European Blue Flag" for particularly sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism. The lakes are perfect for exploring on a SUP.
The Cascata del Ponale waterfall is a great destination for a SUP tour on Lake Garda.
Wakeboard
As fast motorboats are fortunately prohibited in the northern part of Lake Garda, there is also no opportunity for water skiing or wakeboarding. However, there are cable wakeboard facilities at Lake Ledro and Lake Terlago.
At Lake Ledro, around 45 minutes' drive from Torbole, Be Wake System offers courses, hire or simply water time. Prices range from 10 euros for one run to 80 euros for nine runs without equipment. SUP hire is also available here. The Lakeline Terlago wakeboard centre is located on the western shore of Lake Terlago. The journey from Torbole to the lake to the north takes just under 40 minutes.
