Logo Garda
Top

Walking up to the Castle of Arco

Arco
Category
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
1:00
Duration in hours
Distance
2.9
Distance in km
Status
open
Suggested period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

A short urban trail to discover the historic centre of Arco,  perfect for anybody on their first visit to Garda Trentino who wants to find out more about the town.

Arco is a small town nestled about a rocky outcrop crowned by the ruins of the castle, the symbol of the town. The castle dates back to the year one thousand, but archaeological excavations on the site unearthed  traces of human presence well before the medieval period.

Thanks to the mild climate, pure healthy air and location a short distance from Lake Garda, Arco has over the years become a famous health resort, particularly popular with the Habsburg nobility at the turn of the twentieth century.

This strolllinks up the main monuments in the historic centre of the town with an itinerary that is easy and accessible to all, passing through the different historical periods of the town. From Renaissance palaces to Central European elegance, Arco truly offers an incredible variety and range for sightseeing.

Warning! The path up the hill to the Castle is not accessible to buggies and wheelchairs.

Further information and useful links

For more information on routes, services (guides, mountain huts, shops etc.) and hiking friendly accommodation: Garda Trentino - +39 0464 554444

 

Route info
Easy
Route number
Distance
2,9 km
Duration
1 h 00 min
Altitude difference (+)
111 m
Altitude difference (-)
99 m
Technical skills
Physical effort
Scenary
Highest point
198 m
Lowest point
89 m
Suggestions

Arco is the birthplace of the Divisionist painter Giovanni Segantini and there is a statue in the town park to  commemorate him.

Arco Castle has a spectacular view over all the Bassa Sarca area. A visit to the Castle takes about an hour and there is an admission fee although entrance is free with a Garda Trentino Guest Card. Admission to the Lizza jousting arena (panoramic vantage point) can be accessed free of charge only during castle opening hours. For information on opening hours and admission fees: www.gardatrentino.it.

To learn more about the history of Arco we recommend the itineraries “Rilke Promenade” and “Treasures of Sacred Art”.

Arco is considered the Italian capital of rock climbing. Every year, at the end of August, it hosts one of the major freeclimbing events, Rock Master, which draws the best climbers in the world to the town. This vocation is also clear from the shops in the centre: most of them sell mountaineering gear and clothing from the best brands.

Safety guidelines

The telephone number for the emergency services is 112.

The information on this chart is subject to inevitable variations, so this means that none of the indications are absolute. It is not entirely possible to avoid giving inexact or imprecise information, given how quickly environmental and weather conditions can change. For this reason we decline any responsibility for changes which the user may encounter. In any case,  the hiker is advised to check the conditions of the places, environment and weather before setting out.

Punto di partenza
Arco - city center
Directions

First part:
You leave from the Tourist Information Office in viale delle Palme, opposite the town Casino. When you come to the fountain, cross via Garberie and go on straight onto via Roma, for a detour at the Evangelical Church with its particular roof made of multicoloured tiles.

When you get back to the fountain,  cross the public gardens to the parish church of Arco, known as the Collegiata. Leaving the church on your left, go around the back of it and on the right you will come to Palazzo Marchetti (famed for its Venetian chimney pots) and the Town Hall. In Piazza 3 Novembre, make sure to take a look at the fountain “del Mosè” and, opposite the church, Palazzo Marcabruni-Giuliani. Leave this building on your right and turn into via Vergolano: on the right hand side of the road you can see the historic building Palazzo del Termine o delle Lega. Keep straight on until you come to the junction with via Fossa Granda, which you follow to the left up as far as the arboretum (Parco Arciducale). To continue, enter the old town of Arco through the Stranfora gate, across the road from the park entrance.

Second Part (the Castle):
In piazza Stranfora turn left and go up via Orbia in the direction of Arco Castle (elevation gain c. 200m.) At the end of your visit, return the way you came as far as the sign for the “Rilke Promenade”, where you take the path through the olive grove, leading first to a panoramic viewing point overlooking the historic centre and then on to piazza San Giuseppe. Here you will find Palazzo Panni, home to the Galleria Segantini. Now follow via Segantini back to Piazza 3 Novembre and from there to the point you started from.

public transportation

The main towns in Garda Trentino - Riva del Garda, Arco, Torbole sul Garda, Nago – are connected by several urban and intercity bus lines which will take you to the starting point of tours or in the immediate surroundings.

You can also get to Riva del Garda and Torbole sul Garda by the public ferry service.

Up-to-date information on timetables and routes.

 

How to get there
Where to park

Parking in Caneve (5 minutes walk to the town centre).

Paid parking: Foro Boario, near the bridge (Via Caproni Maini) or the post office (Via Monache).

This excursion is quite simple and presents no particular difficulty. However, we still recommend you to wear suitable footwear, a hat, sun screen and sunglasses. And be sure to bring water!

Arco
Info Point Arco
open
closed
info point
Arco
Chiesa Evangelica della Trinità
church
Arco
Castello di Arco
open
closed
castle
You might be interested in
Discover related tours
Torbole sul Garda - Nago, Riva del Garda, Arco
#10) Riva del Garda to Torbole - Nago
Distance 6,5 km
Duration 1 h 50 min
Altitude difference (+) 150 m
Altitude difference (-) 8 m
View of Arco castle | © Archivio Garda Trentino (ph. Watchsome), Garda Trentino
Easy
Arco
The Dürer Promenade in Arco
Distance 7,6 km
Duration 2 h 21 min
Altitude difference (+) 212 m
Altitude difference (-) 212 m
Status
open
© Fototeca Trentino Sviluppo foto di A. Russolo, Garda Trentino
Easy
Comano
Rio Bianco waterfalls & Botanic Garden
Distance 4,7 km
Duration 2 h 00 min
Altitude difference (+) 180 m
Altitude difference (-) 180 m
Status
open
© Roberto Vuilleumier, North Lake Garda Trentino
Easy
Ledro
Bezzecca – Val Molini – Santa Lucia
Distance 4,7 km
Duration 1 h 15 min
Altitude difference (+) 67 m
Altitude difference (-) 69 m
Status
open
Fraveggio with Lake Santa Massenza in the background | © Ecomuseo Valle dei Laghi, Garda Trentino
Easy
Valle dei Laghi
Tour of the four hamlets
Distance 6,9 km
Duration 2 h 00 min
Altitude difference (+) 240 m
Altitude difference (-) 240 m
Status
open
The Castle of Arco | © Archivio APT Garda Trentino, Garda Trentino
Easy
Arco
Laghel, echoes of literature and religious devotion
Distance 5,5 km
Duration 1 h 50 min
Altitude difference (+) 222 m
Altitude difference (-) 222 m
Status
open