Day 10: Lake Garda

On By Sharron YaxleyIn Europe

Lake Garda is a stunning lake surrounded by extraordinary geology.

We had a few options for today including riding a lap of the lake (149 km) or riding to Sirmione and getting a ferry back, or riding to Malsecine and getting the furnicular to the top of Monte Baldo and riding back.

There were issues with each option, the latter being my favourite, but we found out you can only take bikes on the 8.00 or 8.30 cable car up. We missed that boat as we found that out too late.

We decided on a chilled semi rest day and exploring the area to Malsecine.

So we rode a total of 38 km (inc 5 km of 12 tunnels) at a super chilled pace, exploring the nooks and crannies.

We followed a variety of paths including loose gravel, pebbles, cobbles and the road.

Here are a selection of the photos from our cruising.

Just out of Riva del Garda
Hugely popular area for windsurfing, with numerous schools teaching people on land before they entered the water.
A groomed pebble beach. At 9 am there were already people sunbaking.
We met this dog as it reminded us of Khaleesi. The lady would throw a stick in the water and the dog would swim out, still on the lead. We laughed as we have Khaleesi on a long water lead too, otherwise she refuses to get out of the water.
Torbole
Looking back to Torbole and up the valley where we rode yesterday afternoon
A pleasant lakeside path
What a view, with me lounging back. I could have spent ages here.
Malcesine castle, with Etruscan burials located on the site, has a local history including the pesky Romans, the Franks and Napoleon Bonaparte who occupied the area in the late 1700’s.
Malcesine harbour. Ferry boats arrive on the outer edge, and you can hire boats starting at €80 one hour.

As we headed back we stopped at the paragliding centre to watch a number land. Fascinating to watch.

We did witness one bloke miss the green and we presumed he landed on a pebble beach.

As we rode past his shute was snagged in a tree and he was walking out of the lake. Lucky as the road was only metres away.

We then headed off and walked to Riva del Garda and back.

A history dating back to 1124
Lived the vast array of colourful pasta in this shop
An old city gate
Church of the Inviolata
A nice Australiana surprise, colourful callistemons (bottlebrush). I found five different plants growing around here.

The weather forecast is not great. It started raining around dinner time and has not stopped. We have some bigger days ahead but will take it one day at a time, such are the challenges of self supporting bike touring.

Thanks for reading 😊❣️

Todays out and back route

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