It is the last municipality in Trentino before the border with Veneto. The municipality of Nago-Torbole is a vacation paradise where families and sports enthusiasts can spend entire days without ever getting bored. Famous for water sports such as sailing and, above all, windsurfing, Torbole is known for its youthful and relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for those who don’t want a vacation that’s too formal and who, above all, love being outdoors.
Nago, on the other hand, is the town above Torbole. It isn’t located directly on the lake, but there are plenty of things to do here as well—a little way from the beach, but not too far!
Here’s what to do and how to plan your day in Nago-Torbole by choosing the right activities for your family.
Busatte Tempesta Trail
A walk offering extraordinary views of Lake Garda and countless scenic spots. The route begins above Torbole, in the village of Busatte, and follows a trail about 5 kilometers long, featuring three long iron staircases suspended high above the lake. There are about 400 steps, all completely safe thanks to the high railings, which will captivate children and make them forget their fatigue. Along the way, you’ll also find informational signs about the local flora and fauna, boulders to climb, intriguing glacial rock formations, and a natural “terrace” overlooking the lake with many little stone figures. Not suitable for strollers and not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo. We’ll tell you all about it in Busatte-Tempesta Trail: Awesome!
The Giants’ Pots
The effects of glacial retreat are visible in many places throughout the Upper Garda area. These include glacial potholes—large pits carved into the rock by glaciers. They are somewhat hidden and can be reached in several ways. The easiest way is to park near the Sesto Grado bar, on the road connecting Torbole to Nago: the potholes are located right below the parking lot. Alternatively, you can walk there from Torbole by heading uphill, or—as we did—start from Pratosaiano (Arco) and follow the old road, surrounded by olive trees and flowers. This road is easy to navigate even with a stroller. However, the potholes are accessible only on foot (there are also some iron stairs). Read The Giants’ Potholes if we’ve piqued your curiosity.
Trenches of Monte Corno
A simple yet memorable hike, perfect for families with children who are used to walking. The trail leading to the Monte Corno trenches winds through the woods above Nago and offers spectacular views of Lake Garda, as well as an authentic immersion in the history of World War I. All the info HERE.
Climbing at the Massi delle Traole
This crag, located in the municipality of Nago-Torbole, is called Massi delle Traole. It features several sectors, including some suitable for beginners, and at the base of the boulders there are flat areas perfect for families—ideal for taking a break and having a picnic. We’ll tell you all about it in this dedicated article: Climbing at Massi delle Traole 
Busatte Adventure Park
Also in the Busatte area, above the town of Torbole, is the Busatte Adventure Park. There are many courses at various heights featuring platforms, pulleys, ropes, and other ways to test your skills and courage. Safety is ensured by the continuous-line system, which prevents you from accidentally unclipping the safety carabiner once it’s secured at the start of the course. Near the adventure park, there is a BMX track with jumps and banked turns, as well as various mountain bike trails through the woods. For more information, read our article on Busatte Adventure Park in Torbole.
Boat Tour on Lake Garda
As you stroll along the lakeside promenade from the center of Torbole toward Conca d’Oro (toward the Veneto border), you can admire the lake, often crisscrossed by numerous colorful sails gliding through the wind, the seagulls and ducks, as well as take in the picturesque view of the town. About 500 meters from the center, where the blue parking spaces along the road end, you’ll find the boat dock. Take the opportunity to set sail for one of the nearby towns: the closest stops are Riva del Garda (from where you can also walk back in about an hour on a leisurely stroll along the beach) or Limone sul Garda (in Lombardy, so on the opposite shore of the lake). It takes 15 minutes by boat to reach Riva and about half an hour to reach Limone. Either way, it’ll be a fun adventure for the whole family. Both strollers and bicycles are allowed on board. We’ve written about this in By Boat on Lake Garda
Busatte Park
To escape the holiday hustle and bustle, you just need to walk a few hundred meters: head up from Torbole’s central square toward the church and the Santa Lucia neighborhood, and continue for a kilometer or so until you reach this beautiful park, perfect for a relaxing day. Bring blankets and a picnic basket, and enjoy time with friends and family. There are picnic tables, a fountain, a playground, a snack bar, and plenty of green space. The adventure park we mentioned above is located within the park, and from here you can also set out on the walk to Tempesta. We were there again recently: read about it in the article Parco delle Busatte in Torbole to read about our experience. It’s one of the best spots for relaxation and families in the Nago-Torbole area.
Walks in Nago-Torbole
The classic lakeside stroll is perfect for weekend outings: nothing too strenuous, just a leisurely walk or bike ride, crossing the bridge at the mouth of the Sarca River, skipping stones across the water, and watching the ducks.
If, on the other hand, you want to start from Nago and head down to Torbole, you have two options: The fastest is to go to the fortifications and then walk down the old road (which now has limited traffic, so it’s fine even on foot and with children); you’ll walk down while constantly enjoying the stunning view of the lake and its colors. Alternatively, from the historic center of Nago, take the old Santa Lucia road. Here, in 1439, the Venetians—having sailed up the Adige River as far as Rovereto—had their galleys carried down the rugged path to Torbole, where they were launched, ready to face the Visconti fleet. It’s a lovely walk through the olive groves with a panoramic view of Lake Garda.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Path
There are truly countless bike and pedestrian paths: you can get just about anywhere in the Upper Garda area and beyond. Our advice is always to avoid busy roads—especially during the summer—and use the bike paths, which are safe, particularly when traveling with children, and well-served by places to stop for refreshments. For more information, read Cycling Along the Sarca River.
Castel Penede in Nago
The ruins of this ancient castle are located on a rocky outcrop surrounded by greenery and can be reached by a short walk through the countryside and then through the woods. It is believed to have been inhabited as early as Roman times, as suggested by some artifacts found here. For more information, visit the Garda Dolomiti website HERE
In the area around Nago-Torbole
Did you find this mini-guide to Torbole and the surrounding area helpful? Here are links to other mini-guides for the surrounding areas:
- Riva del Garda: Summer in Riva del Garda: Things to Do
- Arco: Click here Things to Do in Arco in the Summer
- Lake Garda: Lake Garda from above: click Lake Garda from above
- Ledro Valley: click Val di Ledro: Things to Do in Summer