CAI 801 – Polpenazze, Vineyard Ring

CAI path 801 in Polpenazze del Garda is an 11 km loop through the vineyards of Valtenesi, where Groppello, the native red wine of Brescia’s Garda area, is born. An excursion of medium difficulty that combines landscape, food and wine and the discovery of one of the most interesting wine territories in northern Italy.

The route
It starts from the historic centre of Polpenazze, a small hillside village with a panoramic view of the lake. The trail winds through the Valtenesi vineyards, crossing neat rows where Groppello, Barbera, Sangiovese and Marzemino coexist, creating the blends that characterise the area’s red wines.
The route is shady in the wooded sections and sunny among the vineyards, with vantage points offering views of Lake Garda and the surrounding hills. The height difference of 264 metres is distributed in ups and downs typical of the morainic landscape.

The wine of Valtenesi
Groppello is an indigenous grape variety that only exists here in the Valtenesi hills. It produces light and fragrant reds, different from all other Italian reds. Wine cellars along the route offer tastings to discover this unique wine in its most authentic expression.

Practical advice
Medium difficulty, suitable for hikers with moderate training. White-red CAI marked trail. Hiking shoes. The route is shady in parts. Plan at least one stop in a wine cellar for tasting. The best period is autumn during the grape harvest (September-October). Parking in the centre of Polpenazze.