A literary stroll in the shadow of Arco Castle, following in the footsteps of the great Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who drew inspiration from these surroundings.
In the second half of the 19th century, Arco became renowned throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire and beyond as a “Kurort”. The healthy, windy climate, Mediterranean but not excessively hot, allowed this peripheral little town to flourish as a health resort and holiday destination for members of the House of Habsburg and the nobility of Central Europe. The most prominent figure was Archduke Albrecht of Teschen, who had a great villa built in Arco which is famous for its gardens, the Parco Arciducale, now a botanic gardens open to the public.
Thanks to its reputation as a pleasant and exclusive health resort, Arco attracted a select clientele. Illustrious visitors included the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who as a young man towards the turn of the century stayed there on a number of occasions and wrote some of his early poems here. The trail passes a number of places which inspired him or which are mentioned in his correspondence with his friend Nora Goudstikker.
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.
From piazza San Giuseppe, the main entrance to the centre of Arco, take Vicolo delle Ere and begin the uphill climb to the castle promontory, passing by vegetable gardens and olive trees. In about twenty minutes you will come to Arco Castle, the unmistakable symbol of the Garda Trentino for over a thousand years (optional visit duration: about 1 hour); now head downhill through the olive grove towards Santa Maria del Laghel which takes you along the historic Stations of the Cross. At the crossroads at the Parco Arciducale, turn onto via Lomego. At the end of this road, at the carriage turning point (“svolta delle carrozze”) above the hamlet of Chiarano, follow the road down into the town. From the church of S. Antonio, take the path going up to the ancient pillar Capitello della Regola, and keep going straight until you reach the “mills” above the hamlet of Vigne. After the brook turn left and go down into the village. From here you can go back to Arco on foot along via dei Capitelli or you can take the bus from the bus stop near the church of S. Marcello in Chiarano.
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.
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!
