Hiking Lake Garda: the Rocca in Manerba. Flying with seagulls high over the lake

The Rocca di Manerba. Flying with seagulls high over the lake, trails through woodlands and along coastal cliffs with breathtaking views of the lake’s deep blue colors and immense panorama.

When we feel like taking a breath of fresh air and filling my eyes with beauty, we climb to the top of the Rocca di Manerba.

When you are craving adventure, nature and incredible views, put on your hiking boots and backpack carrying a water bottle and sandwiches, and head straight to the Rocca in Manerba for a beautiful hike on Lake Garda.
We have mapped some trails and highlights especially for you if you would like to explore this area on your own. If you would like to be accompanied on your journey, we have an expert guide, Elisa.
(2 person minimum – Euro 60 for couple or for small individual groups up to 6 people -for 2 hours)

A trail with lake views, through woods of holm oak, oak, and ash trees

Departing at a lower elevation, from the charming port of Dusano, the trail leads you immediately into the thick woods.
The lake is just below your feet. If you don’t suffer from vertigo, we recommend you stay to the right and hike along the cliff trail, the path of the seagulls, overlooking the lake, if instead you prefer a bucolic hike through the woods, the lake will no doubt reveal itself in all its splendor along the trail.
At a slow pace, you hike over rocky terrain and emerge from the woods at Point Sasso, your first stop on the itinerary.

Intrepid aviators and the enchantment of orchids: the story of Lake Garda

Along the trail you cross a tower. What is a tower doing here in the wilderness?
It is the silent testimony of the intrepid aviators, who from the beginning of the 1900’s flew at remarkably fast speeds over the lake in pursuit of achieving the world airspeed record.
An epic and daring challenge won by the pilot Francesco Agello, who twice obtained the world record.
If you stop for a moment and play in a game of fantasy, you can imagine him on his seaplane whizzing past before your eyes.
But not only does the tower accompany you on your way. Along the trail, in spring, orchids sweeten the wild landscape with their colors and coquettish elegance.

Point Sasso: a terrace on the lake and the Garda islands

Before realizing it, surrounded by an expansive beauty, you arrive at Point Sasso, a large terrace overlooking the lake from where you can admire the “Isola dei Conigli” and the “Isola del Garda,” which emerge in emerald colors from the turquoise waters of Lake Garda.
It's the ideal place to stop and rest before the most adventurous part of the walk, where you'll need your legs and breath

Towards Mount Minerva (the Rocca)

In fact, turning your gaze, above you is the cross that marks the top of Mount Minerva. If you want, you can climb up to the cross (it will take an hour or so to get there and back) or continue from here towards the Church of San Giorgio and go back to the starting point. Take a breath as you start your ascent up the mountain: you climb a narrow and steep path, some ropes along the way help you stay afoot, while the path becomes steeper and steeper, until you see the walls of the fortress and the cross again.

Once at the top, you see the immensity of the lake. You will experience a sense of lightness as you soar above Lake Garda, seeing it as only seagulls can: the mountains hugging the lake, the sleepy villages along the shores and the blue waters below you.

Among history, churches and olive trees on the way back

You relax for a moment. There are some nice tables where you can picnic and enjoy the sandwiches you packed for the journey.
Refreshed, you can go down the road that leads to the Civic Archaeological Museum of Valtenesi.
You can browse through the prehistoric finds and look for the names of the plants and flowers that accompanied you along the trail.
You dive back into the trail immersed again in the woods, towards the olive trees and fields until you reach the small Romanesque Church of San Giorgio, with its frescoes of the fourteenth century.
Unfortunately it is often closed, but the place and the small portico are enchanting, and peeking through the small windows you can still see the frescoes of apostles and angels.

With your legs a little tired and eyes full of beauty, you are ready to return to the port of Dusano and from here to Park Hotel, with one more beautiful memory in your backpack.

Every season something amazing

In summer: leave early in the morning and make a detour to the beach below the Rocca for a swim
In winter: late morning journeys for the crisp colors
In autumn: you can’t miss the woods changing foliage
In spring: discover a secret garden

With:
You can do this wonderful walk on your own, but if you prefer, as a guest of Park Hotel, we can organize an excursion for you with Elisa, a CAI guide, who will tell you a bit of history, a bit of nature and some curious anecdotes along the way.
If you would like to book this experience, please contact the reception.

Elisa, your personal guide, speaks:
Italian, English, French

Useful tips:
Parking: The parking lot down at the port of Dusano is often full. If so, we suggest you follow the road to the port of Dusano, and continuing towards the port, take the one-way road that passes through the marina and leads up the hill: at the end of the climb you will find a large parking lot. From here you can return on foot to the suggested starting point, about a 5 minutes walk back down.

Walking time:
3 hours. Loop tour.
Who to do it with: alone, with the whole family, as a couple, with a group of friends, with your furry friend

How far from Park Hotel:
30 min. to go there by car

With who:
alone. with all the family , in couple, with a group of friends, with your four-legs friend.

Difficulty:
easy up to Punta Sasso, a little steep towards the top of Monte Minerva.

What to bring:
wear comfortable clothing, up to Point Sasso sneakers are sufficient, on the mountain it’s better to have hiking shoes, bring also a water bottle, cap.

Request Informations

Lungolago Cesare Battisti, 17 - 25015 Desenzano Del Garda (Bs) Italy
T.+39 030/9143495 - reception@parkhotelonline.it
P.Iva 03167750987 - CIR 017067-ALB-00017 | CIN: IT017067A1U8KKL3XL
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