Ferrata di Campione del Garda

Overview

The Via Ferrata of Campione del Garda is an introductory route with about three hundred meters of elevation gain, ideal for a first taste of vertical terrain. It unfolds along the Brescian shore of the lake, offering a short and pleasant outing that works well even for a winter trip. The final destination is a belvedere that rewards you with a spectacular view over the lake and the Monte Baldo massif.

Approach

The route starts in the village of Campione del Garda, reachable from the state road 45bis that runs along the Lombard shore. The turnoff for the town is inside a tunnel. It is advisable to park in the paid lot near the former cotton mill, which is well signposted along the lakeside road for those coming from the north. From the parking area, head toward the shore and proceed south until you reach a sailing club. Past this area, you will spot a trail that starts behind a prefabricated hut and climbs steeply through the woods, reaching a metal barrier in about fifteen minutes. The start of the via ferrata is just a few meters away.

Via Ferrata

The itinerary begins in the woods with a series of easy equipped rock steps, followed by a protected ledge section. This horizontal stretch along a narrow rocky ledge offers security and allows you to get used to the exposure. Quickly emerging from the vegetation, you are immediately greeted by the sweeping panorama of Lake Garda and the profile of Monte Baldo behind you. The pace is pleasant and steady, with no physically demanding sections. You continue along the equipped trail, first to the left, then to the right, arriving at a well-angled little wall. This short face, on compact limestone, is enjoyable to climb and lets you gain height in a fun way, with generous holds and footholds. After a set of equipped steps and a ramp, you reach the base of a long panoramic dihedral. This is the heart of the experience: the dihedral, very well featured and open to the lake view, offers technical but not strenuous climbing, with increasing exposure that never becomes intimidating. The route continues over rock sometimes covered by rockfall nets, passes under a short natural arch, and soon reaches the end of this short but rewarding via ferrata. The overall character is scenic and playful, with a progression that alternates horizontal sections on ledges with short vertical climbs, always on solid rock.

Descent

Once the equipped section is finished, take the trail that connects to the path for Monte Cas. To return to Campione del Garda, follow the right-hand branch that descends directly toward the village. The descent trail passes through a short tunnel and a series of staircases in the woods, making it quick and direct. Once you reach the lakeside road, retrace the initial stretch back to the parking area. The entire loop takes about one hour and forty-five minutes.

Useful Notes

This easy via ferrata at Campione del Garda has no overly vertical or demanding passages, making it a perfect choice for a half-day outing or a first encounter with protected climbing. The panorama of Lake Garda is constant and magnificent, and its south-facing exposure makes it suitable even for the winter months. For navigation, the dedicated map of the Parco Alto Garda Bresciano is recommended. The area offers numerous other opportunities for enthusiasts, such as the via ferratas of Cima Capi, Cima Sat, Rio Sallagoni, Colodri, or, on the Brescian side, the Ferrata allo Spigolo della Bandiera on Monte Spino. In the hinterland, Lake Idro and Lake Iseo also offer a wide selection of equipped routes of varying difficulty.