Lake Garda loop

Route description

From Riva del Garda, at the northern tip of the lake, the SS45bis Gardesana Occidentale runs south along the western shore through a series of tunnels cut into the cliffs. Limone sul Garda has old lemon houses, stone terraces once roofed for growing citrus.

Further south, the lake widens and the road reaches Salò, with a long lakeside promenade. From there, continue to the southern shore and Sirmione, a castle town on a narrow peninsula with Roman villa ruins at the tip and thermal baths; the old town is closed to traffic, so park outside.

The return runs north along the eastern shore through Bardolino and Garda to Malcesine, a village with a Scaliger castle. From here, the Monte Baldo cable car, with rotating cabins, climbs from the lakeshore to a ridge with the whole of Lake Garda below.

The loop ends back in Riva del Garda. The Gardesana tunnels are narrow, so drive them slowly in a large motorhome, and expect heavy traffic and long queues at the cable car in July and August; go early in the day.