GENNAIO  |  FEBBRAIO  |  MARZO  |  APRILE  |  MAGGIO  |  GIUGNO  |  LUGLIO  |  AGOSTO  | SETTEMBRE  |  OTTOBRE  |  NOVEMBRE  |  DICEMBRE

TOSCOLANO AND THE PAPARMILLS VALLEY (VALLE DELLE CARTIERE) 

BICYCLE OR HIKE

 

DESCRIPTION 

 

LAKE GARDA
It is difficult to find an original way to describe such a well-known area with such special and unique features as Lake Garda: clear waters and a mild climate, rolling hills as opposed to steep-sided cliffs overlooking the water, small villages and churches, and lemon groves, olive groves, bougainvillea and oleanders. The villages overlooking the waters, certainly the best known, are magnets for beach tourism, but there is more than the lakeside basin to discover. Garda invites the traveller to get lost among the paths, to walk down offbeat paths that lead to isolated monasteries, to sit at a table and rediscover the flavours of a time when genuine products enhance the Italian culinary tradition, to walk among the olive trees, to breathe in the fresh air while admiring a clear landscape. The Western Gardesana (state road 45 bis) is the path to discovering the area: a mythical, sometimes inaccessible road which skirts the banks of the lake and runs from Sirmione to Riva del Garda. The unique Alto Garda Natural Park, characterised by contrasts: the area is one that runs from Limone to Salò where it passes quickly by the waters of the lake to the rugged peaks of the Alpine region. 
In the Park between the peaks and water is the best way to discover and appreciate all aspects of the landscape. You can follow paths and dirt trails that reward you with unexpected glimpses on foot, by bicycle or on horseback from every village. 
The plateau of Tremosine is among the most spectacular for admiring the Garda basin: a stage on the lake resting on steep rocks overlooking the water and the towering peaks of Monte Baldo. Returning to Gardesana, the town of Gargnano, besides being known for launching the famous Centomiglia regatta, entered the history books for being home to the offices of government and administration of the then new Social Republic between 1943 and 1945, the most famous palaces including Palazzo Bettoni and Villa Feltrinelli, which was the residence of the Duce and his family.
The slow path to discovery of Garda leads the mind to the words written in the literature of the author including Stendhal, who described Garda as "the most beautiful landscape in the world", DH Lawrence "a lake as beautiful as the beginning of creation", and finally the invitation of W. Goethe, "how much I wished to have my friends for a moment near me in order that they might rejoice over the view which lies before me."

    

ITINERARY

 

A journey of discovery of magical lands and enchanted, wild and unspoilt nature.

 

 

Valle delle Cartiere is a walk through industrial archaeology and nature. 
From Gardesana (state road 45 bis), in the vicinity of the Toscolano bridge, you enter the Valle delle Cartiere through a dirt track on which you can admire unique landscapes lulled by the pleasant sound of water.
An interesting stop is a visit to the Valle delle Cartiere eco museum, a paper-making centre that boasts a tradition of production since the 1400s. 
 

Specifications: 7.2 km long route of around 2h 30min / 4.5 km average route of 1h 45min 
We recommend you take a route in the Valle delle Cartiere on a mountain bike which you can hire nearby, or on horse.
 

Papermill cycling and farmhouse stay package:
Route on foot and overnight stay at farmhouse near Gaino, Toscolano
    1 night + Eco Museum + mountain bike rental 
 

Package with horseriding in papermill area and surroundings with farmhouse stay:
Guided horse riding trail and overnight stay at a B&B near Gaino, Toscolano
    2 nights in a double room; 
    1 day on horseback with lunch;
    1 horseback ride of about 2 hours to explore the Valle delle Cartiere.

 

Papermill hike and farmhouse stay package:
Route on foot and overnight stay at farmhouse near Gaino, Toscolano
    1 night + Eco Museum + guided hiking tour

 

Every Monday: organic producers in the market place in Toscolano from 8am to 1pm

 

 

LOCATION

Lake Garda - Valle delle Cartiere, Toscolano