Salò – Monte San Bartolomeo – Stacca Pass – Madonna del Rio

This hiking route takes the walker out of the famous urban setting of Salò to discover the hilly hinterland of forests, dry stone walls, and ancient paths that once connected the towns on the Brescia shore.

The route climbs from the town toward Monte San Bartolomeo through chestnut groves and following paved mule tracks, with the lake widening behind as you gain elevation. The vegetation is dense and shady in hot weather, providing a cool refuge from the sultriness of the valley floor.

Past Mount San Bartolomeo, the trail reaches Stacca Pass in a wilder and more open environment, where the horizon widens toward inland valleys. From here, the trail descends steeply through the woods to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Rio, a place of centuries-old devotion surrounded by trees and lapped by a stream, ideal for a meditative stop before returning.

The trail includes a waterfall hidden in the forest and the characteristic dry stone walls that structure the rural area. With 622 meters of positive elevation gain and a T2 difficulty, it is accessible to hikers with minimal experience. The trail composition alternates between asphalt, dirt, nature trail and footpath for a varied experience that is never monotonous.

We recommend leaving in the early morning hours to enjoy the best light on the lake views and to avoid the heat in the less windy forested sections.

Points of interest

• Mount St. Bartholomew
• Stacca Pass
• Shrine of Our Lady of the Rio
• Waterfall in the woods
• Historical dry stone walls

Source: official itinerary sheet on visitparcoaltogarda.it (Ente Parco Alto Garda Bresciano). Technical data, GPX tracks and updated info on official website.