# Lake Garda loop

> 3-day round trip of about 127 km (79 mi) with 7 stops, starting and ending in Riva del Garda. About 1 h 45 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/lake-garda-loop/

**At a glance:** 3-day round trip of about 127 km (79 mi) with 7 stops, starting and ending in Riva del Garda. About 1 h 45 min of driving in total. Around Italy’s largest lake: the Gardesana tunnels, lemon houses at Limone, Monte Baldo and the castle at Sirmione.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 127 km (79 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 45 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Riva del Garda → Riva del Garda |
| Countries | Italy |
| Updated | September 10, 2026 |

## 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.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Riva del Garda** (Italy)
2. **Limone sul Garda** (Italy)
3. **Salò** (Italy)
4. **Sirmione** (Sirmione, Italy): A castle town on a narrow peninsula in Lake Garda, with Roman villa ruins at the tip and thermal baths.
5. **Malcesine** (Italy)
6. **Monte Baldo cable car** (Malcesine, Italy): Rotating cabins climb from the lakeshore to a ridge with the whole of Lake Garda below.
7. **Riva del Garda** (Italy)