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Torbole - Photo (c)
Alan Davis Photo
www.alandavisphoto.net
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Lake Garda - Torbole
Connected to the northernmost point of Lake Garda stands
the small town of Torbole, a simple and traditional community of fishermen
until the birth of tourism.
Discovered with marvel by the first trans-Alp travelers
and passionately described by great authors such as Goethe, today Torbole is
distinguished from the other towns along Lake Garda by its winds, which
attract lovers of windsurfing and by its mountaintops, with a running
panorama and call to many sports enthusiasts, lovers of mountain-biking
above all.
We find traces of the fishermen's way of life that
have always livened up the town of Torbole in the works of Goethe and other
great writers and painters that were able to appreciate the charm of Lake
Garda.
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The small town of Torbole became famous in the 1980s for the three
winds that constantly blow on the beaches and test the most courageous
surfers: the "Ora", the "Vent" and the
"Peler". For
some years, however, Torbole has become the perfect place for mountain bikers
to put themselves to the test on difficult ascents and breathtaking descents
from about 2000 meters on Mount Baldo all the way down to Lake Garda at 67
meters.
Torbole's location is perfect for excursions, both
in the direction of the lake and towards the mountains to the north, and,
because of its close proximity to major points of interest, it has attracted
quite a lot of attention. The bike paths from Torbole which connect to
neighboring towns are constantly growing, merging hundreds of kilometers
in bike paths, making the central location of our town especially
advantageous.
Those who visit this area, after visiting the small
centers of Torbole, Nago, and the coast of the Lake, cannot miss a visit to
the "Marmitte dei Giganti", spectacular cavities carved into the rock
by melting glaciers; the same ones that formed Lake Garda. From here, you
can follow the Roman road of Santa Lucia to the nearby Ulivi Park,
Goethe's Olive Grove, the remnants of Penede Castle (destroyed by the
French troops of Vendôme in 1703), and the church of Sant'Andrea in Torbole.
Even those in shape will feel challenged by the path that
connects the Busatte recreation park with the nearby town of Tempesta.
This area is known to have cold winds that are refreshingly cool in the
summer.
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The path that brings you from Torbole to the peak of Mount
Baldo has been known as "Hortus Italiae" since the 1500s, characterized by
its unique botanical species and large floral variety.
The best view of the city is at the "Belvedere" and from
the view point near the "Marmitte dei Giganti" where, on clear days, you can
see the entire lake as far as Manerba.
Travelers continue to be amazed by the unique mountain
range of Lake Garda, set between the Alps and Po Valley, and can
admire it from the most impressive mountains of Alps, including Mount Baldo,
as well as from the ferries/boats that plough through the surrounding waters.
The north end of Garda, known as "Altogarda" or "Gardatrentino",
is unique from the south end because of its contrasting backdrop of
mountains and the lake, its great varied landscape, and because
of the perfect merging of the Mediterranean and the Alpine
setting, both naturalistically and culturally. In this area you will find
the most beautiful beaches in all of Lake Garda which, instead of
sand, are filled with pebbles that won't burn your feet or leave your
clothes dirty.
Altogarda is the most northern area in all of Europe where
plants such as olives and lemons grow naturally, located near
beautiful black mountain fir and pine trees.
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Garda Lake from Monte Baldo
Photo (c)
albireo2006
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One of the tours we would suggest for the region of
Torbole is to take a ferry to Malcesine and Limone.
It's a great excuse to tour the lake and it provides good occasion to visit
the typical weekly markets in town.
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Torbole - Photo (c)
foilr
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In the center of Riva del Garda, it is interesting to
visit the Apponale tower and fortress, or take a walk to the little church
of Santa Barbara (1 hour and 20 minute walk) that hangs over the gulf
of Riva and Torbole.
Other beautiful outings include the new path
that connects the Busatte park to "Torbole a Tempesta", the stroll
around Lake Tenno with a visit to the medieval town of Canale,
going by car or mountain bike to the small and midsize lakes that
surround the area of Altogarda such as Lake Ledro and those of the
valley of lakes, like Lake Cavedine, the enchanting lakes of Toblino and
Santa Massenza, Bagatol known for its fishing and Lake Lagolo.
Don't forget
to visit the waterfalls of Varone and Gorg d'Abiss, or the beautiful
Tremosine gorge.
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How could one forget that Altogarda, up until last
century, represented the border between Italy and Austria? In memory of
this, beyond the small signalman's house and the winter residences of
the Austrian Emperor in Arco, we find the impressive
Austrian-Hungarian forts, trenches, and bunkers from the first World War,
strenuously fought on our mountains. Not all the forts are open to visitors
but those especially keen on them will surely remain speechless admiring the
breathtaking paths
of the old military communication trenches and intense panoramas from
the shooting points on the peaks.
While during the summer, the mild climate and
splendor of nature create the perfect background for tourist activities,
during the winter the area takes on a whole new charm. The
snow-capped peaks of the mountains invite afternoon excursions with snow
shoes while the lowest point of the mountain is well-suited for
trekking, Nordic walking and climbing, especially on weekends.
Without having to go too far, you can also visit the ski resorts of
Mount Baldo. During the holiday season, like in the rest of Trentino, you
can find the Christmas Markets.
Courtesy of
Hotel Elisabetta Torbole
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
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