Just a few kilometers from Lake Garda is Lake Tenno, a real gem to visit for those who are in Riva del Garda and want to move around, even a little, to observe something alternative. This body of water is not far from Borgo di Tenno, one of the most beautiful villages in the entire peninsula.
Getting to this place is very simple:
By car: if you arrive from the south (A4 motorway), you must exit at Desenzano and then follow the signs towards Salò and Riva del Garda and, subsequently, Tenno. The fastest route is definitely the A22 motorway, exiting at Rovereto Sud and then following the signs towards Riva del Garda and the subsequent signs for Tenno. There are several parking lots at Lake Tenno, but it is worth noting that in summer it becomes very difficult to find them, so the advice is always the same: park as soon as you see one.
By train: considering that there is no station in Riva del Garda, you must stop at Rovereto and then take a bus that will take you to the final destination.
Lake Tenno
Lake Tenno is a true gem for nature lovers, its waters seem to “tell” the beauty of this place with spectacular shades of blue and green that reflect the surrounding nature.
To reach the shores of the lake, you have to take a walk through the vegetation and reach it after climbing a staircase. There is a small island in the lake, and during low moments, you can even see the famous rock “Isola dell’ottantasei” (Island of Eighty-six), named after the year it was discovered. It is recognizable by a plaque with the text “when you see me, you will cry“. This is because the rock is visible during times of water scarcity, which 200 years ago meant “drought” and the inability to provide drinking water for crops.
On this patch of land, there is also a small kiosk bar and the possibility to rent canoes and pedal boats to fully enjoy the lake. There are several beaches available for relaxation, while for the more active or easily bored, there is the opportunity to walk and circle the lake thanks to the cycling and pedestrian path that takes about 30 minutes.
Visit to the Village of Canale di Tenno
After visiting the beautiful Lake Tenno, a stop at one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy is mandatory, not because I say so, but because it was officially awarded. To reach Canale di Tenno, you can walk from the lake (about 40 minutes) or take the car and approach its gates.
Canale di Tenno started to repopulate in the 1960s after being completely “abandoned” after the Second World War, managing to regain the beauty of the past thanks to the particular ancient and very narrow alleys, typical of a “picture-postcard Italy” for those arriving from abroad.
Furthermore, in this small village there is a great coming and going of artistic activities, such as for example the “Rustic Middle Ages”, the event that transforms this village into a real open-air museum among its streets, proposing medieval life in every little detail. While in winter it turns into a crib.
The only “negative” note for tourists is the lack of bars or restaurants, which is why I advise you to “get ready”, perhaps with a nice packed lunch or dinner, to be eaten on the shores of Lake Tenno.
