Malcesine

Malcesine, the Pearl of the Lake, with its historical centre and quaint corners, preserves intact the traces of the Della Scala dominion with the Scaligero Castle from the Thirteenth century. Traces of Roman tombs were found during the excavation of the central bus station and demonstrated the antique origins of the town of Malcesine.

Monte Baldo extends itself from Nago/Torbole in the north part of the lake until Garda, 20 km south of Malcesine and has important karstic features (caves) and a Teutonic fracture with a 45 degree inclination well evidenced in the position of the rock slabs, which one can see along the Malcesine – Torbole rocks.

The new Malcesine cableway, with its rotating cabins, makes it possible to reach Monte Baldo – from 90 metres to 1765 metres above sea level – in just a few minutes, allowing the view to sweep from the lake to the Dolomites.

One of the many trekking itineraries allows to walk along the peaks of Monte Baldo, on the “via delle Creste” or Crests Road for 5 hours until Prada di Brenzone, touching the highest peak „Cima val Dritta“ at 2210 meters. In the winter it is possible to ski on Monte Baldo with lake view and from 2012 the slopes will be equipped with an artificial snow system.

In the medieval historical center you will find the narrowest street in Europe: Via Picalof, 2 ft wide. In the fraction of Cassone, 4 km south of Malcesine, flows the shortest river in the world, “Aril” which is 175 meters long. The Fishing museum located in the harbour of Cassone is also worth a visit.

Malcesine on the eastern shore of Lake Garda is also famous for its olive oil, which is characterised by an unmistakable fragrance, an intense green-gold colour and is rich in vitamins. The oil is the result of a slow ripening process of the olives on the centuries-old trees of our Lake. Aromas, flavours and memories that will accompany you at home, in the bottle… A consortium of over 500 producer families, including the Club Hotel Olivi, ensures the quality of the oil and its origin.

A unique feature of Lake Garda, Malcesine still has a few dozen cowsheds where about 500 cows are bred. In the summer they are taken to the “Malga” on Monte Baldo and in mid-October they descend to the valley, giving rise to a very characteristic event – the mountain festival – which combines the modern tourist economy with the ancestral economy of agriculture. The combination of oil, cheese, milk and fishing gives rise to typical local recipes that are increasingly appreciated today.

Since 2013 there are four botanical trekking trails, with nameplates on the most interesting plants and flowers. The tourists will also be able to visit the “Malghe” and the local barns. 50,000 years ago, the glaciation that created Lake Garda also preserved the top of Monte Baldo and allowed the preservation of what is today defined as the “European botanical garden” where it is still possible to find traces of tropical flora as well as orchids and ferns.

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