Lake Garda is a sporting paradise, boasting windsurfing, sailing, hiking and cycling, while at Ascona on Lake Maggiore, you can ski in the morning and then play a leisurely round of golf in the afternoon.
Lake Garda has countless sailing regattas, including world championships. Riva del Garda and Torbole have numerous watersports schools with gear to rent and tuition for all levels. On Lake Maggiore, Laveno, Luino, Ascona and Locarno are bases for sailing and windsurfing. On Lake Como the town of Como offers sailing, water-skiing, diving and canoeing, while further up the lake at Menaggio and Bellagio you can water-ski and hire motorboats, canoes or kayaks. Lakeside lidos and pebbly ‘beaches’ are popular in high season. Bellagio’s revamped lido comes with a beach bathing area, sunbeds, cocktail bar and nightlife.
Ridges above the lakes, woodland trails and the Alpine mountains provide wonderful scenery and cater for all levels of hiking fitness. At Torbole and Riva del Garda freeclimbers hang above the lake, and Arco, further north, has hosted international climbing and paraclimbing championships.
On Lake Garda the Monte Baldo ridge has clear trails and fine views, as does Monte Mottarone above Lake Maggiore. Both have cable-car access (from Stresa and Malcesine, respectively).
For hikes in the Alps, the best months are May to October. The Club Alpino Italiano or CAI (Italian Alpine Club; www.cai.it) organises guided tours, provides maps and runs shelters for hikers. Many of the routes are not as well marked or developed as in other European countries, and for serious hiking you may want to hire one of their local guides.
Lombardy alone has nearly 700 cycling clubs and 1,200 annual races. Every May, 20,000 mountain bikers descend on Riva del Garda for the Bike Festival, a celebration of all things MTB (and eMTB) with exhibitions, shows, competitions, excursions, and stunts. For a thrilling ride down a mountain without the uphill struggle, take a bike on the cable-car up to Monte Baldo.
The steep hill of the Madonna del Ghisallo (12km/7.5 miles south of Bellagio) serves as a challenging last lap of a number of national and local cycling races. Thousands of cyclists and visitors come here annually – and not just for the panoramic views of Lake Como. At the top of the hill is a church dedicated to the Madonna del Ghisallo, who in 1949 was declared the patroness of cyclists by official papal edict. The church then became a cycling museum, displaying bikes and equipment of cycling champions, historic models, trophies and other memorabilia. The state-of-the-art three-storey Museo del Ciclismo (Cycling Museum, www.museodelghisallo.it; charge) beside the church houses some of the exhibits.
Kite surfer on Lake Garda in Campione
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Lakes Maggiore, Como and Garda have golf courses, many with wonderful views. Some of the finest are around Franciacorta and Lake Garda: the Franciacorta Golf Club (www.franciacortagolfclub.it) is to the south of Lake Iseo, while Bogliaco Golf Resort (www.golfbogliaco.com) and Garda Golf (www.gardagolf.it) are both to the west of Lake Garda between Salò and Desenzano del Garda. The oldest club is the Menaggio and Cadennabia Golf Club (www.menaggio.it) at Lake Como, which was set up by four Englishmen in the late 19th century. Another prestigious location is the Villa d’Este Golf Club (www.villadeste.com).
Paragliding is popular on Monte Baldo, near Malcesine (www.paraglidingclubmalcesine.it) Lake Garda’s winds are ideal for kitesurfing. The Stickl Sportcamp (www.stickl.com) organises courses in surfing sailing kitesurfing and foiling for all levels, communicating with kitesurfers through radio receivers fitted into the helmets.
The northern end of Lake Garda, where walls rise to 1,200m (3,900ft), is a haven for rock climbers . Arco, just north of Torbole, has Europe’s largest open-air wall and hosts the Rock Master free-climbing world championships in September. This unique destination not only attracts seasoned climbers but also offers a vibrant atmosphere for enthusiasts and spectators alike during the thrilling international climbing competition, creating a true celebration of the sport amidst the dramatic setting.
Snow permitting, you can ski and snowboard at Monte Baldo on Lake Garda, Monte Mottarone, Passo Forcora and Cardada on Lake Maggiore, and Piani di Bobbio above Lecco on Lake Como. These stunning alpine locations offer a diverse range of slopes and breath-taking panoramas, making them ideal destinations for winter sports enthusiasts seeking both adventure and scenic beauty. Whether you're a seasoned skier or a snowboarding aficionado, these picturesque spots provide an exhilarating experience against the backdrop of Italy's remarkable lakeside landscapes.
Cycling is a true passion here
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