Sports and Activities

ACTIVITIES:
The Garda Lake and its surroundings constitute the most exhaustive training ground for those who seek a really active way of spending holiday through the practice of sports. The lake is an ideal place for windsurfing, canoeing and sailing as well as for all yachting, fishing and diving admirers. The lake's inland area also abounds in rich multifaceted environments and in modern infrastructures offering visitors the possibility of mountain biking or horse-back riding, trekking and long excursions in the mountains, and it is the ideal location for tennis and golf lovers.
As for the leisure activities and cultural events taking place there, the most appreciated attractions are live music, dance shows, important exhibitions and folk fairs, cheering up the visitors in any time of the year. Natural, aquatic and fun parks around the lake offer both adults and children unforgettable amusement. The nearby towns including Brescia, Mantova, Trento and Verona also give a rich choice of activities.


CANYONING:
Multiple rivers and creeks around Lake Garda make it a wonderful place for canyoning. The best spots for that activity are Riva del Garda, the Ledro Valley and Tignale. However, you will find good places also on the Monte Baldo close to Malcesine and San Zeno near Nago.
Below, you will find direct contact to agencies offering canyoning in the area:
in Arco:
- Multi Sport Centre Fun 3, Arcobaleno Fly, via Segantini, 28, tel. 0464 519356, 347 2789625;
- Scuola Guide Alpine, via S. Caterina, 40, tel. 0464 422273;
- Scuola di Alpinismo Orizzonti Trentini (climbing School), c/o Vertical World Sport, via Segantini 41, tel. 0464 510202;
in Riva del Garda:
- Riva del Garda: Magic Canyoning, Associazione Trentina Salvataggio Onlus, Viale Rovereto 112, tel. 0464 553186, 348 5724343;
in Torbole:
- Torbole Canyon Adventures C/o Flipper Viaggi, via Matteotti 22, tel. 0464 505072-505406;


MOUNTAIN CLIMBING:
Cliff shore is typical for the Lake Garda, what makes the area a good spot for mountain climbers. Villages of Garda, Marciaga, Toscolano Maderno, Torbole, Limone and Nago are most often chosen for climbing purposes. Apart from that, the Sarca Valley provides large number of climbing trails of all difficulty levels and various lenght (up 1100 metres long). In Arco, there is a very important climbing event, Arco Rock Master held annually. In 2004, the event will be held on 4-5 September.


DIVING:
Old galleys, boats and warships from the times of the Venetian Republic can be found on Lake Garda bed. The water is clean and high visibility down there allows taking great pictures of lake's fauna and flora. Underwater explorers will appreciate possibility of exploring ships and boats resting on the lakes bed.
To arrange your diving excursion, contact the agencies directly:
- in Brenzone:
Brenzone Athos Diving, Loc. Assenza c/o hotel villa Elena. Tel. 045 6590015
- in Malcesine:
Malcesine Dream Sub, Club Sub, Loc. Val di Sogno 29. Tel. 045 7400216
- in Peschiera:
Peschiera Garda Diving Center, c/o Camping San Benedetto Via Bergamini 14. Tel. 045 7550544, fax 045 7551512;
Sub Club Peschiera, Viale delle Rimembranze. Tel. 045 7552707 - 7552759
- in Torri del Benaco:
Torri Sub, Associazione Attivita Subacquee , Via Gardesana 11. Tel. 045 6296740
- in S. Benedetto di Lugana:
Garda Diving Center, courses also for handicapped people, Tel. 045 7550544
- in Riva del Garda:
Gruppo Sommozzatori FIPS, tel. 0464 555120
- in Desenzano:
Coltri Sub, Tel. 0309 9910927 Dian Sub, tel. 0309 9144821 My Dive, tel. 0309 991541 Tritone Sub, tel. 0309 120809;
Asso Sub Il Pellicano, Tel. 030 9144449
- in Salo:
Taras Diving Center, Barbarano, tel. 0365 20225
- in S. Felice del Benaco:
Leonessa Diving, tel. 0360 3570055


GOLF:
Mild mediterranean climate of the Lake Garda allows playing golf all year round. In fact, golf became so popular that there are plenty of locations to play. Choose one of courses given below and contact them directly.
Golf Club Ca' degli Ulivi - Via Giandare, 2 37010 Marciaga - Castion di Costermano (VR). Tel. 045 6279030-031; fax 045 6279039;
Golf Club Verona - Loc. Ca' del Sale 5, 37066 Sommacampagna (VR). Tel. 045 510060
Golf Club Venezia - Via del Forte s.n. 30011 Alberoni (VE)
Golf Club Padova - Via Noiera, 57 35030 Valsanzibio di Galzignano (PD)
Country Club Gardagolf - Via A. Omodeo, 2 - 25080 Soiano del Lago (BS). Tel. 0365 674707 - Rist. 0365 674000 Fax 0365 674788.
Golf Club Bogliaco - Via del Golf, 21 - 25088 Toscolano Maderno (BS)
Arzaga Golf Club - Loc. Carzago, 25080 Cavalgese della Riviera, tel. 030 680600
46 Paralello Golf club - loc. Cargadori, 1- Ciclamino - 38074 Dro


HORSE RIDING:
Discovering the environment is probably most convenient on a horseback. Many riding stables in the area will allow nature lovers to explore best places not accessible by other means of transport. Riders of all levels will find course or tours suitable to their skills. No matter whether you take a short ride around the area or participate in a long tour lasting a couple of days, you will definitely be satisfied with horseback riding around Lake Garda.
- in Arco:
Club Ippico S. Giorgio, tel. 0464 556942 MOLINA DI LEDRO Haflinger Cadre, tel 0464 508292 - 508564
- in Lazise:
Maneggio, c/o Camping LA QUERCIA Loc. Bottona tel. 045 6470577
Riding Club WESTERNMANIA, Localita Caldane - Cola tel. 0337 486715 / 0336 261158 fax 045 7255874
- in San Zeno di Montagna:
Gruppo EQUIBALDO, Loc. La Pora 16 tel. 045 7285333


PARAGLIDING:
Paragliding is very popular in the Lake Garda area. Mount Baldo allows great glide down to the centre of Malcesine (altitude difference 1700 metres). The cable car will take gliders up to the mountain's peak from the Malcesine's centre. You can either rent equipment for yourself or try a tandem flight with an experienced pilot. Good conditions for paragliding will also be found in Arco, Bardolino and Gardone Riviera.
Contact the following agencies to arrange your gliding experience:
- in Arco:
Volo Libero Alto Garda - Arcobaleno Fly, Via Segantini 28. Tel 0464 531080, 348 7097989, Fax 0464 518026
- in Malecsine:
Paragliding Club Malcesine, Via Navene 23. Tel. 0335 6764675 / 0360 843518
- in Bardolino:
Herbert Planatscher c/o Camping Serenella Bardolino. Tel. 045 7211333


SAILING:
Lake Garda is known worldwide for superb sailing conditions. Thousands of sailors visit the lake especially for sailing every year. It is the Lake Garda and the local sailing clubs that have trained number of great Olympic class skippers. The wind conditions vary from south, where it is rather light, to the north part of the lake (Gargnano, Malcesine, Torbole, Riva) which is most popular among advanced sailors. However, no matter where you spend your summer holiday, every village has its own sailing club approved by the Italian Sailing Federation.


WINDSURFING:
The northern part of the lake seems to be the best location for windsurfing. The area between Torbole, Limone and Malcesine is usually full of windsurfers, who treat Lake Garda the European windsurfing capital. Of course, these are not the only spots suitable for windsurfing. A bit to the south, villages of Tremosine and Tignale are also often chosen by the windsurfers. Hiring equipment or arranging windsurfing lessons is just a case of minutes, so everyone can have great time on water. It is extremely important to note that life jackets are obligatory and some beaches are reserved for bathing only, so windsurfers need to be extremely careful there. You must also remember that ferres have absolute right to go first and you always have to give the way to them.