The Ponale Path, where mountain and lake merge
The Ponale Path is a must-do excursions if you are on the northern shores of Lake Garda, in the province of Trento. The ancient road, carved into the rock in the second half of the nineteenth century, connected Riva del Garda to the Ledro Valley and was then used as a path for hikers and bikers only in the early 2000s.
The route was built by digging and creating tunnels in the sides of the rocky walls that flow into the lake, creating a path with a breathtaking landscape. That is why the Ponale Path is one of the most famous paths in Europe, for its historical-landscape value, since along the way you can also find an armored fort dug entirely into the rock, dating back to the early twentieth century. A strategic point and the most daring work of military architecture of the Austro-Hungarian’s army.
The current route retraces the original route, from Riva del Garda to the Valle di Ledro and develops in a constant climb, even if it does not require an excessive effort. However, to maintain a constant view of the lake, instead of going into the Ledro Valley, it is possible to continue to the small village of Pregasina, located at 532 meters above sea level, from which you can enjoy an amazing top view of the lake.
The path is very simple: a wide gravel road, shared between hikers and cyclists. It is a 12 km route, with two hours of ascent on the outward journey and about two hours of descent on the return. Of course, in the very famous and wonderful initial section, there can be a certain crowding. In any case, to fully enjoy the panoramic points that this path has to offer, you can take some detours that temporarily distance us from the main path, allowing to admire some more hidden and interesting glimpses of the lake.
Outside the main path, the route is divided into small and inviting marked lanes in the woods, some also characterized by a certain difficult slope, especially in the unprotected points overlooking the lake. It can be quite scary, but they offer a thrilling sight. In this case we were supported by our Steinbock WT Low GTX 2.0 shoes, which with their "Michelin All Terrain Plus" sole guarantee a perfect grip even on the most difficult and steep terrain. Moreover, despite the day characterized by high humidity and a high temperature, the Steinbock WT Low GTX 2.0 always guarantee excellent freshness to the feet, thanks to their high-tech Perspair upper and the Climafresh Ice Capsule insole. The perfect choice for our hikes.
An alpine flavor excursion on the edge of the lake, where rocks, the dense forest and the water vastness, merge, giving life to a truly unique environment.
Focus On Trip (Alberto e Valentina):