Garda Trek - LowLoop 2: from Arco to Riva del Garda

From the bridge over the River Sarca follow the cycle path along the river northwards until you come to Moletta and a bike-grill. Leave the cycle path and turn right into a built-up area until you come to the main road. Cross the road and take the trail SAT  667 "Sentiero della Maestra" which zig zags up around the promontory of Vastrè as far as Case Caproni. At the top of the outcrop, a short detour to the right takes you to the recently uncovered trenches from World War I. From Case Caproni the trail heads into the Oolite Quarries. Now you head downhill in a southerly direction through the deep cavities left by the quarry. Along the sheer cliffs you will see climbers on some of the most difficult routes in the world. The path ends at a stream at the base of one of the most famous climbing crags in Garda Trentino, Policromuro di Massone. Now head down a lane through the olive groves, pass a turn-off on your right and head straight on until you come to a lane going uphill to your left which goes through an olive grove until it comes to Massone from the East. Now take a narrow road on your left with stone walls on either side and almost immediately leave it for a dirt track on the left. Initially you will find you are crossing the slopes of the ridge which comes down from Monte Stivo, then you cross the alluvial fan now planted with vineyards and olive groves. When you return to the road at the Capitello delle Quattro Facce or four-faced pillar, head downhill towards Bolognano, keeping to the right and passing by the cemetery and church of San Floriano. When you get to the village, cross it heading south until you come to Vignole where you cross the main road at the hotel Albergo Everest. Immediately afterwards, at the little cemetery, turn right onto the road and cross the plain of Pratosaiano with its orchards. Keep going along the main road to the south (towards Lake Garda). Go through the crossroads and after 300 metres turn onto a dirt track on the left and, after a little bridge, take a parallel road which soon becomes a dirt track, cutting across the hillside above the final stretch of the River Sarca up to Nago. The dirt track comes out in the car park near the glacial potholes known as the Marmitte dei Giganti. On the other side beside the little kiosk bar, a dirt road leads to the roundabout at the start of the town of Nago. Follow a short flight of steps up to the right, and then continue on to the right to the ruins of Castel Penede. From here, return towards the town centre, going down the other side from the one you came up by, and keep to the right until you come to a junction. Turn right onto the old Santa Lucia Road which leads to Torbole, Here you can follow the cycle path back to Riva del Garda.

The trail is well-marked with “GardaTrek Low Loop” signposts.