We will be staying 8 nights in Verona in early October. Of the day trips I would like to plan is some time sightseeing around Lake Garda. There is a wine festival in Bardolino during that time so one day will be spent on the east side of the lake.
For another day I would like to drive on the west side. I've used viamichelin to map the drive to Gardone Rivera and Limone sul Garda for distances and drive times. My question is starting from Verona is it preferable to drive south from Limone or to drive north from Gardone. Is the small road that runs along Lake Garda a scenic drive, difficult or easy?. Would it be easier to pull off the road for scenic overlooks if we drive from the south to the north or doesn't it matter?
Thanks for any information or suggestions you can give. Deborah
Driving around Lake Garda
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The road that runs right round the lake is single lane in either direction and the width of the lanes vary from generous to tight. Through the tunnels on the western side, it's very tight. Ignore the drive times on via michelin as it all depends on how busy the traffic is and what day of the week you travel. It is very scenic in places, just a road in others, but you aren't very far from a nice view wherever you are and there is usually somewhere that you can stop for a photo-op.
If you are approaching from Verona, you are on the eastern side of the lake and both Gardone and Limone are on the western side and you are missing an awful lot if you head straight there and ignore the rest, but you would be better heading for Gardone from the south and then up to Limone in that case. You canj thenj continue up to Riva and round to Malcesine--take the cable car up the mountain--Monte Baldo-- if it's clear day.
I've been to the wine festival in Bardolino and it's unlikely that it will occupy you for a full day, so after you've seen it, come back South to Sirmione, well worth seeing, and round to Desenzano.
Having said all that, a good alternative is to park at any of the villages and take the ferry in between them.
The best part of the lake to me is at the north end---Riva, Torbole, Limone. I think I would drive north and access that area from the road via Mori into Torbole---quite scenic.
Rubicund, thank you so much. That is exactly the information I was looking for about the drive. We certainly will also consider taking the ferry between sights but we like the flexibility a car gives us.
I'm just a little apprehensive about so many tunnels. I remember our drives in Umbria which included the excitement of the driving habits of Italians to pass cars inside tunnels---totally insane IMO
My plan right now is to visit the Lake Garda area two or three days during our stay in Verona. We will dedicate one day to the west side of the lake and one to the east side and if we have nice weather in early October maybe we can visit Monte Baldo out of Malcesine.
Thank you again for taking the time to answer my question. Deborah