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.

• Rainer Maria Rilke (Prague 1875 – Montreux 1926) was an Austrian writer, poet and playwright of Bohemian birth. He is considered one of the most important poets of the 20th century in the German language.
• One of the places which made a particular impression on him is the Eremo di San Paolo hermitage, situated on the little road leading from Prabi to Ceniga. The Hermitage, even though it is included in the classic itinerary of the "Rilke Promenade", is quite far from the other stages on the trail and so we recommend visiting it separately or as part of the itinerary “Treasures of Sacred Art in Arco”. For information about the opening hours of the Eremo di San Paolo hermitage: www.gardatrentino.it 

•  For more information on routes and hike services: guides, shops and hiking friendly accommodation: 
  APT Garda Trentino, Tel. +39 0464 554444 www.gardatrentino.it