The Old Ponale road

Evaluation

Difficulty
Adventure
Landscape
Historical

Preferred season

The Old Ponale road

The Ponale road was in the past the only connection between Lake Garda and the Ledro Valley. Starting from Riva del Garda, it brings you to the waterfall of the Ponale river through tunnels and fortifications of the first World War. This road attracts tourists from all over Europe for the wonderful views over Lake Garda.

Starting point

Riva del Garda (TN), Catena square

End point

There is only one way to and from Riva del Garda to the Waterfall of the Ponale river.

On the way

Riva del Garda (65mt), Ponale (250mt)

Access to the starting point

By car : From the A22 highway choose exit Rovereto Sud and follow the directions for Riva del Garda; in Riva del Garda look for a parking place near the center; from the A4 highway chose exit Brescia East if you come from the West or Peschiera if you come from the East and follow the directions for Riva del Garda

Bus : From Trento, Rovereto, Verona, Peschiera there are daily buses to Riva del Garda;

Ferry Boat: from April to October Riva del Garda is connected with the main cities of the lake; for info call 800-551801

Parking area

Riva del Garda (TN), Monte Oro street

Trail description

Starting from Riva del Garda downtown follow the main road SS45, near the Hydroelectric Plant, toward Limone and take the right before the tunnel. Here there are some signboards indicating the Giacomo Cis trail.

Giacomo Cis is the father of this old road, he is the one that more than the others believed and fought for the realization of this beautiful road between Riva and the Ledro Valley. After the first tunnel, there is a wonderful view of Lake Garda from the north towards Riva and Torbole to the south up to Malcesine. You soon reach the famous Tagliata del Ponale, a fortification built during the Austro-Hungarian empire in order to defend the border and consisting of tunnels and trenches excavated above Lake Garda. Its galleries are opened to the public a few days of the year.

In one and a half hour, walking with a unique view over the lake, the trail reaches the Ponale waterfall. Here some signboards tell the story of what was once the Ponale restaurant. A paved road continues on the right to the Ledro Valley and on the left to the town of Pregasina. Towards Pregasina the trail continues with a series of curves and after a few kilometers reaches the statue of the Virgin Mary located on a terrace overlooking the lake. The view here is spectacular. The village is just a couple of miles further and there you can rest and eat in restaurants that are open during the tourist season. The return is along the same trail back to Riva del Garda. During the spring and summer seasons beware of the mountain bikers!

Comments

  • Maurizio - 2015-12-13 15:57:02

    Il Ponale è maschile, non femminile, poiché è quello del (e non della) torrente Ponale.


  • matuella romano9 - 2016-09-30 12:09:10

    Magnifica passeggiata con stupendi panorami.


  • Gaudenzio - 2017-04-18 08:54:39

    Ottima la descrizione e la documentazione fotografica. Un giro lo faccio senz'altro.


  • Paola - 2017-07-03 15:47:38

    Sentiero con panorami mozzafiato sul Garda ma i ciclisti rovinano la bellezza della camminata


  • Paolo - 2017-08-20 15:04:30

    Attenzione al rischio di caduta sassi!


  • Silvia - 2020-08-28 14:22:04

    Terza volta.. Ho apprezzato negli anni le sistemazioni del sentiero. Ciclisti indisciplinati


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