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This year we spent some days again at the Lake Garda in Torbole. We stayed in a really good sports hotel - Aktivhotel Santalucia.

On the first day we rented mountain bikes. From Riva we cycled along the old road to Pregasina. This road is really worth walking along or cycling. Many people are cycling this way but most of them go directly to Lago di Ledro. We cycle to Pregasina first. Until then the road is paved and cycling is easy. After that the road becomes a path which goes through a forest. Many times we have to get off and push the bike. From Bocca Larici (about 900m high) you have an amazing view down on the lake. From there we continue up to Passo Rocchetta. There we have reached the highest point and can now enjoy some cycling on almost the same level before the descend. Actually we wanted to continue a bit further and then go down to Lago di Ledro. But because of the weather forecast and the clouds we decide to skip the last part and go down to Biacesa. This way down is very steep and we are lucky that the rain did not yet start because otherwise it might be slippery. From Biacesa it is not far back to Riva and Torbole. All in all a really nice bike tour, we will definitely do this again.

 

For one day we stayed at a very nice accommodation called 'La Villa del Generale' at the southern part of the Lake Garda. The owners brought us self made food and wine in the evening and in the morning we enjoyed the breakfast on the terrace with view to the lake. We were also allowed to harvest some of the food from the garden. We enjoyed the silence of this place, walking along the lake and relaxing. Here are some impressions:

On a nice afternoon we decided to rent bikes and cycle to Dro and do the via ferrata Rio Sallagoni which goes through a canyon not far away from the Lake Garda. After we cycled for about half an hour we realized that we forgot to take our map with us! That was not good, because the beginning of the via ferrata was not so easy to find. Nevertheless after cycling around for a while we found it! But it was already quite late, because we had to bring the bikes back at 6pm. Therefore we quickly changed our clothes and started the via ferrata. This was quite different from what we had done before! Not on a mountain, instead it goes through a canyon. After the canyon the landscape felt a bit like rainforest. There was another ropeway and from there we went up to the Castle Dro. We had a quick view at the castle and went quickly down again, back to the bikes. Then we cycled back to Torbole where we arrived just in time to hand back the bikes! An existing afternoon where we had lots of fun!

The Cima S.A.T. (1246m) is a summit very close to the Lake Garda. The fixed rope route "Via dell'' Amicizia" lead directly to the summit. Actually, 1246m doesn''t sound so much but since one start in Riva del Garda which is just 80m above sea level there is still a difference of 1166m left. The fixed rope route is known for quite long ladders (up to 70m) and the great view on the Lake Garda.

Today, we start in Torbole which is the neighbouring place of Riva del Garda. We rent mountain bikes the day before at Scott. It''s just 5am. We pack our bags and unlock the bikes. It is still dark outside and nobody is on the streets. It takes approximately 30 minutes until we reach Riva Del Garda. We lock our bikes and walk to the information board.

We follow the path up the hill. Our first stop will be "Il Bastione" - a fortress which was built approximately 1500 AD. Before we arrive at the Bastione we already have a great view on Riva Del Garda.

A sign shows us the right way.  Finally we arrive at the Bastione. Nobody else is there. It is possible to go inside the Bastione - for free.

Directly beside the Bastione there is a little cafe which is of course closed that early. However, we borrowed two chairs and had our breakast - probably the breakfast with the best view ever 🙂

After breakfast we continue the ascent. The path turned into a mixture of stones and roots. Frome here one already has a great view on the Lake Garda.

After some time (or some more time....) we arrive at Capanna Santa Barbara - which is also closed. And also here we are completely alone. We take a short break and then follow the signs to the beginning of the fixed rope route. There is a sign  saying "Ferrata Centenario S.A.T - Via Dell'' Amicizia".

The first part of the fixed rope route is more like a small path. Only some parts are secured by rope. Also a helmet does not really seem to be necessary.

However, after some time we come to a small plateau. From here a long ladder goes right to the sky. From the ladder the view to the Lake Garda even gets better 🙂 At the end of the first ladder one might look back... 🙂 From now on one ladder is followed by another.

On our way up we pass a board with an Italian song text. From here the next ladder starts. To the right one can see far to the north.
A few ladders later we finally arrive at the Cima S.A.T. The flag which is made of metal creaks in the wind. At the top we write our names down to the summit log 🙂 Also on our way back to Riva Del Garda we still have a nice view to the Lake Garda.

Looking back we can see some other people at the end of the fixed rope route.

We pass a sign telling us that there is water available just a few hundered meters away. It has become quite warm, now. Actually we are quite glad that we have started so early in the morning and that we took enough water with us.

After the last ladder down we arrive at the Santa Barbara chapel. Here, we meet other people the first time. On our way down we meet several people which are just on their way up to the fixed rope route. Now, with approximately 28 degrees celsius in the shadow we think that''s not such a good idea. Instead we are looking forward to the swimming pool, now 😀