Riva del Garda: Things to Do, Ferries and the Ponale Path

What Makes Riva Different

Riva sits at the northern tip of the lake in the province of Trento, about 70 metres above sea level. Monte Rocchetta closes the town in on the west and Monte Brione, 376 metres high, on the east.

The town belonged to Austria-Hungary from 1815 to 1918, when it became part of Italy. You see that history in the forts along the Ponale road and in the old barracks inside the Rocca.

Who It Suits

Riva suits walkers and anyone who likes wind on the water. The Peler and Ora winds carry yachts and windsurfers across the lake, and nearby Torbole is the windsurf town. Arco, set back from the lake, draws rock climbers.

Families get a waterfall with a family ticket from $21.15 (€19) and a town beach.

The Rocca and the Torre Apponale

The Rocca is a medieval fortress on the water, built by the Scaligeri family in 1124 and later used as Austrian barracks. It now houses the Museo Civico. A short walk away, the Torre Apponale was first mentioned in 1273 and raised to 34 metres in 1555. Piazza III Novembre lies between the tower and the harbour, so it is the natural place to start.

The old town is a web of narrow winding streets with a medieval castle and a 13th century clocktower. Pizzeria terraces fill from 6pm.

Gates and the Old Railway

Two gates mark the edge of the old town. Porta San Marco dates from the 11th century and is Venetian. Porta San Michele is from the 13th century.

The old Mori-Arco-Riva railway opened in 1891 and closed in 1936, and its terminus is now a restaurant.

Things to Do at a Glance

This table sums up the main things to do in Riva del Garda, with time and cost taken from the waterfall, the Ponale path page and the ferry fare sheet.

Tickets and Family Prices

The Cascata del Varone sells tickets at the gate only, so there is nothing to book ahead. The ticket office lists one adult price and three family bundles.

Opening Hours by Month

The waterfall opens every day except 25 December, and the ticket office lists these hours for each month of the year.

Route, Climb and Return

The path climbs 736 metres and drops 272 metres, with a highest point of 532 metres. The trail is listed as easy, but the safety notes call it an alpine trail for experienced hikers because of rockfall. Wear proper shoes, carry water and start early on hot days.

The walk is one way. At the Pregasina junction on the SS240, bus 214 takes you back towards Riva, so you do not walk the climb twice.

A Road Turned Into a Path

The Ponale road was begun in 1851 as a route along the cliff. Austro-Hungarian Tagliata fortifications followed from 1860. The road carried traffic until the end of the 1980s and became a hiking path in 2004.

The Belvedere refreshment stop on the way runs only in summer, so bring food outside that season.

Fares From Riva

The Navigazione Laghi fare sheet sets one-way fares by zone, and a return costs double. Tickets bought on board carry a $1.11 (€1) surcharge unless the office is closed. Fast runs marked SR cost more.

Sailing Times and Seasons

On one summer run the boat leaves Malcesine at 8:55, calls at Limone at 9:15 and Torbole at 9:45, and reaches Riva at 10:00. Malcesine to Riva takes 65 minutes. The summer timetable runs from 16 May to 4 October. The autumn timetable runs from 5 October to 1 November and again from 13 to 25 March.

From 2 November to 12 March there are no passenger boats on the lake. The only service is the Torri-Maderno car ferry. Plan winter trips around buses.

Day Passes

If you hop between several towns, a whole-lake day pass costs $43.96 (€39.50) for an adult and $22.26 (€20) for a child aged 4-11. It is the only pass that includes the fast runs.

Wind, Rock and Water

The Peler and Ora winds carry yachts and windsurfers across the north lake. Torbole, one zone 1 ferry hop away at $3.90 (€3.50), is the windsurf town. Arco, set back from the lake, is the climbing town.

For a swim, the town beach is popular and space on the grass is hard to find in high season. Arrive early in July and August.

Food After a Day Outside

Olio Garda DOP has been a protected oil since 1997, made from Casaliva, Frantoio and Leccino olives in the towns around the lake. For a guided tasting farther south, the Bardolino wine tasting pairs local reds with olive oil.

What Changes in the Cold Months

The Varone waterfall keeps 10:00-17:00 hours in January, February, November and December. It closes only on 25 December. The Belvedere stop on the Ponale path runs only in summer. With no passenger boats from 2 November to 12 March, Limone and Malcesine are reached by road.

The Dolomites day trip from Lake Garda runs 10-12 hours at $95 per person, with hotel pickup from 17 meeting points around the lake.

By Train and Bus

The nearest station is Rovereto, served by Trenitalia, OBB and DB, with regular Trentino Trasporti buses to Torbole, Riva and Arco. From the south, get off at Desenzano, Peschiera or Verona and take an ATV bus. ATV lines 483 and 484 run Riva-Torbole-Malcesine-Brenzone-Torri-Garda.

By Plane

From Bergamo airport a shuttle goes to Bergamo station, with trains on to Desenzano, Verona, Trento and Rovereto. From Bologna a direct train runs to Rovereto, then a 17 km Trentino Trasporti bus reaches Riva. For more on arriving, see visiting Lake Garda.

Verona and the Dolomites

The Verona day trip from Lake Garda costs $73 per person and lasts 8-10 hours. Round-trip transfers run from 10 meeting points, including Limone, Lazise and Riva del Garda.

The Dolomites day trip from Lake Garda costs $95 per person and lasts 10-12 hours. It visits Moena or Cavalese and Ortisei, with hotel pickup from 17 meeting points. Check which point is nearest when you book.