Fall foliage on Lake Garda

Five of the best autumn walks on Lake Garda

Autumn is a melancholic and romantic season at the same time. With the days getting shorter, it marks the end of summer and anticipates winter, when nature will fall asleep. But before that, it explodes in all its beauty, and you can enjoy colourful landscapes, a mild climate and clean air, perfect for relaxing walks by the lake, with fiery sunsets providing breathtaking views.

October and November are the right months to enjoy the seasonal colours spread across nature. Green trees transform into a spectacular display of shades of orange, red and yellow. The coloured autumn foliage is definitely an experience nature lovers should not miss.

Autumn hikes and walks in woods and parks: here is our guide to the best places to enjoy the fall foliage on Lake Garda and surroundings.


Rocca di Garda

La Rocca di Garda is a steep rock between the towns of Garda and Bardolino, overlooking the waters of the lake. It consists of two main peaks that are separated by a hill: the Rocca Vecchia and the hermitage of San Giorgio.
The path winds through vineyards, farmhouses, archaeological, medieval and military remnants as well as woods, which is why we recommend this tour also in autumn.
The hike is about 6 km long and leads from the moraine hills of the immediate hinterland to the hermitage of San Giorgio and the Rocca Vecchia mountain. On top, you can find vast green areas with several lookout points that offer a magnificent view of Lake Garda.

You can find more information on the hike here.
 

 


Monte Baldo

The unmistakable profile of Monte Baldo rises over 2,000 metres above Lake Garda. It is a true paradise for hikers and lovers of outdoor activities and can be easily reached by cable car from Malcesine.

Monte Baldo is a complex ecosystem characterised by an exceptional biodiversity and richness in species. It also boasts very diverse areas, ranging from a typically alpine zone to sub-Mediterranean landscapes. This is a peculiarity that makes it unique, both at national and European level!

On the western slopes of Monte Baldo you can not only admire the autumn leaves in all their splendour, but also enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake.
 

 


Isola del Garda - until October 

Garda Island is the biggest of the 5 islands of Lake Garda. It is located in San Felice del Benaco, in front of Capo San Fermo.

The island is privately owned, but can be visited with a guided tour upon prior reservation until the 16th of October 2022. The historic villa was built in neo-Gothic Venetian style at the end of the 19th century. It is surrounded by a fragrant garden and lush park, both open to the public.

The park, dating back to 1880, is a small piece of paradise on earth. It is characterized by terraces, Italian and English gardens and a vegetation rich in local and exotic plants and rare flowers. Here, pine trees, cypresses, acacias, lemon trees, magnolias and agaves will accompany you on a journey of discovery in the middle of enchanting nature.

You can find more information on the tour here.


San Zeno di Montagna

We particularly recommend visiting San Zeno di Montagna, a village halfway between Lake Garda and Monte Baldo, called the “balcony of Lake Garda”. It offers a magnificent lake view and extraordinary, fiery sunsets every day.

Furthermore, this village is surrounded by large woods where to enjoy the colourful autumn leaves.
 

 


Parco Giardino Sigurtà

Another place not to be missed is the Sigurtà Garden Park: 600,000 sqm of unspoilt nature in the picturesque village of Valeggio sul Mincio, only a few kilometres from Lake Garda.

The park is worth a visit not only in spring when the tulips are in bloom, but also and especially in autumn when the entire vegetation of the park becomes an explosion of colours.

The absolute protagonists of the foliage are the crape myrtle and the more than 500 Japanese maples in the park. Other places of interest not to be missed are the maze, the great oak, the flowering lakes and the castelletto.
 

 


These are just some of the most scenic places where you can admire the fall foliage. In fact, Lake Garda and its surroundings boast a great variety of landscapes that are worth discovering.

The areas of Valpolicella and Colline Moreniche are also nice places to unwind on a relaxing walk in the middle of nature.

You will feel like a new person!