Planning a weekend in Veneto means managing significant distances between the water and the high peaks. The lower and upper Garda area enjoys a mild climate, but as soon as you head up into the pre-Alpine slopes or the Dolomites, temperatures drop considerably: layering is essential, even in the height of summer.
The ideal months to tackle this route without suffering stifling heat, and to encounter lighter traffic along the coastal roads, are May, June, September, and October. A car remains the most practical way to cover the miles between the various valleys, bearing in mind that the Gardesana Orientale state road clogs up quickly on public holidays.
To make the most of your time, it pays to group nearby stops on the same day, exploring the lakeside villages before pointing your bonnet towards the peaks of the Belluno area. Altitude dictates the pace: the more demanding hikes call for early morning starts to secure parking and complete circular trails before the afternoon.
How to plan your days
Day 1 — The Veronese shore and suspension bridges
Morning
Setting off along the Gardesana early in the morning lets you beat the tailbacks. The first stop is Torri del Benaco to tackle the trail towards the Ponte Tibetano di Crero. This steel suspension bridge hangs 42 metres above the bottom of the gorge, spanning just over 34 metres and offering sweeping views over the water. The complete circular walk starting from Crero or the hamlet of Pai takes around two to three hours. After heading down, there is time to grab a table at Ristorante Alle Fasse in Via Fasse in Brenzone sul Garda, which specialises in regional dishes and home-style cooking.
Afternoon
Head back down towards the water to visit the Castello Scaligero e Museo Etnografico di Torri del Benaco. This 14th-century fortress overlooks the small harbour and features a historic lemon house dating from 1767 that is still active, as well as a walkway along the old defensive walls; an hour is plenty to see it all. Just a short distance away, in Brenzone, starts the mule track that takes around 40 minutes on foot to reach the Borgo medievale abbandonato di Campo, a deserted stone hamlet framed by centuries-old olive trees on the lower mountain slopes.
Evening
For dinner, staying in Brenzone sul Garda, Ristorante Al Vas on Via Zanardelli serves fresh lake fish right at tables overlooking the promenade.
Day 2 — Monte Baldo and the heart of Malcesine
Morning
The day begins at the valley station of the Funivia Malcesine-Monte Baldo. Its 360-degree rotating cable cars climb all the way to the 1,760 metres of Tratto Spino. Once up top, the Sentiero panoramico della Colma di Malcesine tracks the mountain ridge, keeping a sheer drop over the Garda basin in view: the route takes one to two hours and is best walked before midday for the best light.
Afternoon
For lunch at altitude, Ristorante Rifugio Bocca di Navene sits at 1,425 metres: this mountain hut serves local cheeses and gnocchi di malga out on the terrace. In the afternoon, ride the cable car back down to Malcesine to explore the Castello Scaligero di Malcesine, perched sheer above the water. Inside, you will find the Museo di Storia Naturale del Monte Baldo e del Garda and a room dedicated to Goethe's travels. The visit takes around a couple of hours.
Evening
Staying within the old village of Malcesine, Taverna dei Capitani on Corso Garibaldi offers traditional local fare in historic surroundings.
Day 3 — From Tre Cime to the waters of Alleghe
Morning
The scenery shifts dramatically as you head into the Belluno area. Start out from Auronzo di Cadore, leaving from Rifugio Auronzo to begin the Giro delle Tre Cime di Lavaredo. This circular route, marked as CAI 101 and 105, covers just under 10 kilometres and takes three to four hours to complete. Heading back down towards the valley, pause at Lago di Misurina: its Alpine waters mirror the Sorapiss massif, and the flat stroll around the shore takes barely an hour.
Afternoon
The final leg of the journey leads to Alleghe. Lago di Alleghe was formed in 1771 by a massive landslide dam: today you can hire small boats or follow the walking loop around its shore. If you still have the time and energy, you can take on the Trekking al Lago Coldai e parete del Civetta, a moderate hike with over 600 metres of elevation gain leading to the glacial lake beneath the mountain's north-west face, taking between four and five hours in total. Alternatively, before leaving Lago di Garda in the morning, you could fit in the Trekking al Monte Luppia in Torri del Benaco, a three-hour loop among holm oaks and prehistoric rock carvings.
Top tips for an easy trip
- To ride the Malcesine cable car without wasting the morning queuing, book a ticket online with a specific time slot, aiming for the very first departure if possible.
- The road up to Crero for the suspension bridge is narrow with sharp hairpin bends; parking is scarce and paid. On public holidays, it is better to leave the car in Pai and walk.
- The toll road up to Rifugio Auronzo beneath Tre Cime operates on a quota system in summer: you must pre-book your pass to avoid finding the gates shut, or use the shuttle buses instead.
- Budget-wise, a realistic estimate is around €70-110 per day per person, factoring in meals, paid parking, the Auronzo road toll, and the Monte Baldo cable car ticket.
Where to stay
A convenient base set right on the lakeside, ideal for exploring the surrounding trails.
View on Booking →Set in the village of the castle, within an easy walk of the cable car valley station.
View on Booking →A practical choice if you want to spend your mornings hiking to the Crero bridge or Monte Luppia.
View on Booking →