Alto Garda Bresciano Park

The Alto Garda Bresciano Park is a protected natural park established in 1989 by the Lombardy region.
Its territory, which covers nearly 40,000 hectares, is located on the western shore of Lake Garda, approximately between the municipalities of Salò and Limone sul Garda, and also extends into the Brescian hinterland. As a result, the landscape is quite varied: on one side, near the Garda coast, there are towns and beaches with a mild Mediterranean climate; on the other side, further west, there are vast hilly and mountainous areas, including Monte Caplone and its Cima del Palù (1976m).

Valvestino Valley

In the heart of the Alto Garda Bresciano Park lies a delightful valley with a fairy-tale atmosphere, the Valvestino Valley, which includes the municipality of Valvestino and Magasa. The sparsely populated valley is rich in pristine forests and wide meadows, making it a perfect place for hiking and biking.
In 1962, following the construction of the Ponte Cola Dam, the artificial Lake Valvestino was created: the sheer shores and the extraordinary hues coloring its waters create an atmosphere reminiscent of the Norwegian fjords. At the bottom of the lake lie the ruins of the Lignano Customs House, rarely visible during periods when the water level drops significantly; the structure once marked the entrance to the territory of the Austrian Empire.

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Western Shore of the Lake

t is natural that the most well-known and frequented area of the Alto Garda Bresciano Park is the long stretch of coastline overlooking the wonderful Lake Garda. Its enchanting beaches are the ideal place to spend hot summer days, and it is no coincidence that they attract a large number of visitors each year. This area is particularly appreciated by water sports enthusiasts such as windsurfing or SUP, and is rich in facilities where one can take courses or rent the necessary equipment. In addition to the beaches, the western shore of Lake Garda hosts some of the most fascinating and picturesque towns in the entire Garda area. Here are the most notable ones, listed from north to south along with their respective must-see points of interest:

Limone sul Garda: Limonaia del Castèl, Church of San Rocco, and the lakefront cycling and walking path;
Tremosine: Strada della Forra and the thrilling terrace;
Tignale: Sanctuary of Montecastello, Aer Waterfall, and Alto Garda Bresciano Park Museum;
Gargnano: Villa Bettoni, Church of San Francesco, and Limonaia La Malora;
Toscolano Maderno: Valley of the Paper Mills, monumental Church of Sant’Andrea, and Palazzo Bulgheroni;
Gardone Riviera: Vittoriale degli Italiani and André Heller Botanical Garden;
Salò: Salò Museum, Palazzo del Podestà, and Church of Santa Maria Annunziata.

Alto Garda Museum Network

The project for the Alto Garda Museum Network was conceived and implemented by the Mountain Community of the park, an entity that combines the efforts of all the towns in the area to ensure the highest quality of museum services. The founding principle is to cherish the history and culture of these lands in all their many facets, and this ideal is put into practice through the maintenance of structures, the creation of educational activities, and the constant attention to the care and expansion of the exhibition material. Below are the main structures that are part of the Lake Garda museum network:

Limonaia del Castèl (Limone sul Garda)
Ecomuseum and Limonaia Prà dela Fam (Tignale)
Alto Garda Bresciano Park Museum (Tignale)
Paper Museum (Toscolano Maderno)
Ethnographic Museum of Valvestino (Magasa)
Don Pietro Porta Botanical Museum (Valvestino)
Museum of Ancient Crafts (Valvestino)

Alto Garda Bresciano is a true natural gem that deserves to be preserved and valued for future generations. Thanks to its breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation and physical activity, this protected area represents a true oasis of peace and tranquility in the hectic daily life. Exploring the park’s trails, admiring the profile of the mountains reflecting in the crystal-clear waters of the lake, breathing the pure and regenerating air, visitors can rediscover their ancestral bond with nature and regain inner balance. Protecting and promoting this natural heritage must therefore be a priority so that the Alto Garda Park can continue to enchant and regenerate anyone lucky enough to immerse themselves in its timeless beauty.

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