Walking tour along the Via di Minerva and the Rocca e del Sasso Nature Reserve

The excursion starts from Santa Maria in Valtenesi, an ancient church built on the remains of a Roman villa, located in the hamlet of Pieve Vecchia di Manerba.

After a short walk, we will reach the 'romantic beach', which we will walk along until we reach the entrance to the Rocca Nature Reserve at Porto Torchio. We will then cross the Pisenze beach, part of the Reserve, which is inaccessible to motor boats.

We enter the reserve by climbing a steep flight of steps and reach, via an easy path, the remains of the medieval castle on the summit of Mount Re, the highest point of our hike.

We then descend to the lower part of the Reserve up to Punta Sasso, where the view opens up to 360° and allows you to admire both the Brescian and Veronese shores of Lake Garda.

We walk along the stacks to the small church of San Giorgio, on the opposite edge of the reserve, which also has a splendid view of the lake.

Leaving the reserve, we will pass through some of Manerba's hamlets: Montinelle, one of the liveliest centres, Solarolo, with its ancient castle tower, Balbiana, a small ancient village embellished by the small church dedicated to Santa Lucia.

Once past this last village, we cross a small stream, called Cantarane, because of the numerous amphibians that populate it during the breeding season, and return to the church of Santa Maria, the starting point of our excursion.

Backpack, water, hiking shoes, rain gear, snacks and packed lunch are recommended; hat and sunscreen during the hot season.

Low, no special experience required: 11 km and a positive altitude difference of 320 m.