← Lake Garda Marathon·2 nights

Riva del Garda and Arco: The Quiet Top of the Lake

Two nights at the northern end of the lake, with a flat promenade at Riva and a castle above the town of Arco, where the race pack is collected and the half marathon begins.

Duration2 nights
TransitFerry, about 40 min from Malcesine to Riva
DepartsMalcesine

After the Lake Garda Marathon: Riva del Garda and Arco

The Route: Malcesine → Riva del Garda → Arco → Riva del Garda Logistics: Ferry from Malcesine to Riva, about 40 minutes on the standard service. From Riva, a local bus runs to Arco in about 15 to 20 minutes, and the road between the two is flat enough to cycle. Marathon Month: April Duration: 2 nights

Malcesine ──(ferry ~40 mins)──> Riva del Garda ──(bus 15-20 mins)──> Arco

The northern end of Lake Garda is the part of the lake that most runners see only from a marathon course. Riva sits at the head of the lake, Arco a few kilometres inland, and both feature on the route. The marathon passes through Riva and turns inland towards Arco at about the halfway mark, and the half marathon starts there. On the days after, it makes a quiet base.

April at the top of the lake: cool and often breezy, with daytime temperatures of about 12 to 17 °C, good light and the peaks of the Dolomites still snow-dusted in the distance. Riva is a wind hub, and the water is busy with windsurfers by the afternoon.

Check the ferry timetable and the last boat, since the spring service is less frequent than in summer. The local bus between Riva and Arco is frequent by Italian standards. Check the current timetable.

Night one: Riva del Garda

Riva's old town sits on a flat plain and has a promenade that runs along the harbour. The Torre Apponale, a tall medieval clock tower on the main square, is the town's landmark. The town's medieval fortress, the Rocca, stands on the water. The whole centre is walkable on tired legs, and benches are plentiful. A slow evening walk along the lakefront is enough.

Hotels near the lakefront are convenient for the ferry. Confirm that yours is open in April, and book a room with a short walk to the pier.

For dinner, Riva is near the border of Trentino, and menus mix lake fish with alpine dishes such as canederli, bread dumplings, and polenta. Book ahead for a Monday night.

Night two: Arco

Arco is a small spa and climbing town, with a castle on a rocky hill above the old town. The castle path is short but steep. Take it only if your legs are feeling better, or view it from the streets below. Check the opening days if you plan to go up.

The town centre is level and quiet, with cafes and a tree-lined park. The bib collection for the marathon is held here on the Friday and Saturday before the race, so this is a place many runners already know. Rock climbers use the cliffs above the town, and the streets can be lively with visitors from all over Europe.

Choose a hotel in the town or near the park, and confirm that it is open in April.

Getting home

Take the bus back to Riva and the ferry to your next stop, or continue by bus to Rovereto or Trento for the train north. If you are flying from Verona or Bergamo, check the bus and rail connections and allow extra time.