Trekking to Monte Stivo, a balcony on the 'fiord-Garda'

Lake Garda owes its spectacular character to its crystal-clear waters and the mountains that surround it. If you admire it from one of these peaks, it feels like being in Norway, overlooking the fjords of the North Sea.

Monte Stivo, between the Adige Valley and the Garda plain, is certainly one of these balconies on Lake Garda with spectacular views. It can be reached without too much effort: this hike is suitable for everyone, including children, provided they are patient and motivated.

From the locality of Santa Barbara, we ascend an initial 30-minute walk along small farm roads winding through fields planted with potatoes, savoy & green cabbages.

Emerging from a sparse forest, we come out at Le Prese, where the ascent to the summit of the mountain begins, in view for the entire walk, along a comfortable cart track that leads to the Malga Stivo in 45 minutes.

Just behind the old alpine pasture, a beautiful path winds its way towards the Rifugio Marchetti (2,060 m) and the nearby peak of Monte Stivo, from which you can enjoy a 360° view of the entire Trentino region.

Medium difficulty: the route has a length of 10 km, an altitude difference of 900m and a duration of approximately five hours. Good physical fitness and endurance are required.