Alto Garda Park: Nature, Culture and Tourism in Northern Italy
Enormous naturalistic qualities and high-quality cultural offerings. These are the cornerstones supporting the tourist appeal of Alto Garda. On one side, the environment of great naturalistic and scenic value of the Parco dell’Alto Garda bresciano, and on the other, the numerous initiatives organized in each of the nine municipalities within the protected area to entertain visitors.
The Park, established in 1989, covers an area of approximately 38,000 hectares and encompasses the territories of Salò, Gardone Riviera, Toscolano Maderno, Gargnano, Tignale, Tremosine, Magasa, Valvestino, and Limone. Unlike most natural parks, which are often contained within relatively homogeneous areas predominantly of natural interest, the Alto Garda Park is characterized by strong contrasts: in elevation (ranging from 65 meters of the lakeside to nearly 2,000 meters of the highest peaks), climate, vegetation, social, and economic aspects.
The great variety of environments makes this area an ideal destination for sports enthusiasts and those interested in so-called eco-tourism. The lake waters, streams, a dense network of well-marked trails, old military mule tracks, forests, and rocks of the Park can serve as a natural gym for numerous sports, from sailing to surfing, horseback riding to climbing, hiking to mountain biking, canyoning to paragliding.
Additionally, rowing, speleology, scuba diving, archery… truly there is something for everyone. For each of these sports, schools, instructors, and specialized guides are available in the different municipalities of the Park. For further information, contact the Comunità montana (tel. 036571449 – 036572108), which has published a guide with all the useful information for practicing sports within the Park, or inquire at the tourist offices of the individual municipalities.
Cultural Initiatives and Attractions
Numerous cultural interests are also present, offering pleasant alternatives to days dedicated to sunbathing. The local towns feature sites of high artistic and architectural value, such as the Romanesque basilica of S. Andrea in Maderno, the Monte Castello sanctuary in Tignale built on a cliff 700 meters above the lake, the industrial archaeology remains of the Valle delle Cartiere in Toscolano, the former workers’ village of Campione, the rural nuclei of Valvestino, and the splendid 18 villages of Tremosine (where on July 22nd, the photographic exhibition “Following the Traces of Memory” will be inaugurated).
In Magasa, there is also an active astronomical observatory open to the public (reservations are available by calling the town hall). All this and more in a paradise where culture and entertainment go hand in hand, set within one of the most captivating protected natural environments in Northern Italy.