The complete tour of Lake Garda by car is a spectacular experience: 160 km of scenic roads through villages, mountains and breathtaking views. Here is the complete route with all the stages, travel times and practical tips.
The route at a glance
- Total distance: ~160 km
- Driving time: 3-4 hours (without stops)
- Recommended time: 1-2 days (with stops and visits)
- Direction of travel: counterclockwise (recommended) – so you’re always on the lake side
- Fuel: fill up before you leave, gas stations in villages are rare
Stage 1: Peschiera del Garda → Lazise → Bardolino (25 km)
Start from Peschiera and drive along the Gardesana Orientale. The road skirts the lake among vineyards and olive trees. A must stop in Lazise for a coffee in the small port and in Bardolino for a wine tasting.
Time: 30 minutes of driving + 1-2 hours of stops.
Stage 2: Bardolino → Garda → Torri del Benaco (15 km)
The road climbs slightly, offering increasingly beautiful views. The village of Garda is worth a stop for the little square on the lake. Torri del Benaco is the hidden jewel of the eastern shore.
Stage 3: Torri del Benaco → Malcesine (20 km)
The most beautiful section of the eastern shore. The road meanders between tunnels and viewpoints. Malcesine suddenly appears with its castle and the Monte Baldo cable car in the background.
Tip: Stop at the natural lookouts along the way-they are not marked but are spectacular.
Stage 4: Malcesine → Torbole → Riva del Garda (20 km)
You enter Trentino. The landscape changes: higher mountains, alpine air. Torbole is full of windsurfers and kiteboarders. Riva del Garda is the perfect stop for lunch and a stroll along the lakefront.
Stage 5: Riva del Garda → Limone sul Garda (12 km)
The Gardesana Occidentale begins here with the most spectacular section: 70 rock-cut tunnels with openings to the lake. Limone is picture-postcard – park outside the center (parking lots fill up soon).
Stage 6: Limone → Tremosine – Strada della Forra (8 km)
Mandatory detour: the Strada della Forra, called by Churchill “the eighth wonder of the world.” A narrow road carved into a vertical gorge that climbs to Tremosine (350 m). The panoramic terrace takes your breath away.
Caution: narrow road, alternating one-way in some sections. Not suitable for RVs.
Stage 7: Tremosine → Gargnano → Salò (35 km)
One descends to Gargnano, the quietest village on Lake Garda, beloved by D.H. Lawrence. Then Salò with its elegant 3-km lakefront – perfect for sunset aperitifs.
Stage 8: Salò → Manerba → Desenzano → Sirmione → Peschiera (40 km)
The last stretch goes through the gentle Valtenesi valley with its hills of vineyards. Stop at Rocca di Manerba for a view of Garda Island. Then Desenzano and Sirmione to end the ride on a high note.
Tips for the car ride
- Avoid August weekends: heavy traffic, especially on the Gardesana Occidentale.
- Leave early: the morning light is perfect for photos and you find parking.
- Counterclockwise: always stay on the lake side of the road, with better views and easier stops.
- Alternative: ferry + car: take the Torri-Maderno ferry to “cut” across the lake and save 1 hour.
- Speed cameras: watch out for limits (50 km/h in centers, 70-90 on state roads). Frequent speed cameras in Gargnano and Salò.
When to go around the lake
The best times are April-May and September-October: clear roads, available parking, and spectacular colors. In summer (July-August) budget for queues in the main villages.
