Italian Lakes Circuit

What should you know before visiting Italian Lakes Circuit?

Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €40 (Switzerland, Vignette). Mountain passes: Furkapass (2,429 m, usually open June–October); Grimselpass (2,164 m, usually open June–October); Gotthardpass (Tremola) (2,106 m, usually open June–October).

• Maggiore is about 64 km long, lies in Piedmont and Lombardy and reaches into Switzerland in the north. Lake Como is about 46 km long and lies entirely in Lombardy.
• Lake Iseo is up to 25 km long and lies between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia. Lake Garda is about 51.6 km long and spans Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino.
• The SS340 Strada Statale Regina on the west shore of Lake Como is scenic but congested. Between Colonno and Tremezzina a seasonal ordinance applies; check the current rules.
• Under art. 185 of the road code, a parked motorhome does not count as camping if it rests only on its wheels, discharges nothing and does not extend beyond its footprint.

The drive

A workable order runs from Lake Maggiore, with Stresa, Verbania and Arona, to Lake Como, with Como, Menaggio, Bellagio and Lecco, then to Lake Iseo, with Iseo and Lovere, and on to Lake Garda. At Lake Iseo a road cut into the hillside circles the whole lake. At Lake Garda the SS45bis, the Gardesana Occidentale, follows the west shore from Salò to Riva del Garda. Check vehicle limits for individual stretches with the road authorities beforehand.

Camping

Art. 185 of the Italian road code sets the conditions: only the wheels on the ground, no discharges other than engine exhaust, and no space taken beyond the vehicle's footprint. Dumping waste and grey or black water on roads and public areas is banned except at proper disposal points. Regional and municipal rules can restrict parking further, so check signs and ordinances in each municipality. Campsites and motorhome areas are the safe choice.

FAQs