Lake Garda is a stunning holiday destination, but in peak season, it can feel overwhelmingly busy. Finding a quiet spot to swim or a peaceful lakeside walk can be a challenge, and the summer heat can be relentless.
If you’re looking for somewhere just as beautiful but with fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and plenty of outdoor activities, Lake Ledro (Lago di Ledro) is the perfect alternative.
Just a 20-minute drive from Riva del Garda, Lake Ledro sits at 655 metres above sea level, making it several degrees cooler than Lake Garda – and that’s a real relief in the height of summer.
We had arrived by public transport (more on that below) and while Riva del Garda – where we’d changed buses – had been sweltering, at Ledro, there was a refreshing breeze, and the air felt crisper and fresher.
Lake Ledro (Lago di Ledro)
In this guide, I’ll share why Lake Ledro is a fantastic alternative to Lake Garda for families and outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll find practical tips on:
- How to get there and where to stay
- The best hiking, cycling, and water-based activities
- Learn to sail course for kids
- Family-friendly attractions like the fascinating Bronze Age stilt village
- Practical tips for visiting Lake Ledro
If you love the idea of clear blue water, scenic mountain views, and a more relaxed pace – without sacrificing great food and activities – then Lake Ledro might just be your next favourite Alpine escape.
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Where is Lake Ledro and how do you get there?
Lake Ledro is in northern Italy’s Trentino region, 15km west of Riva del Garda, on the northern shore of Lake Garda.
We arrived at Lake Ledro by public transport from Bolzano, which turned out to be surprisingly simple. The journey involved a train to Rovereto (which you can book on Rail Europe – my train ticket app of choice), followed by two buses – one to Riva del Garda and another up to Lake Ledro.
Google Maps made it easy, telling us exactly which buses to take and where to change. The connections worked smoothly, and the whole trip felt well-timed, without any long waits.
When we left Lake Ledro, we did the same journey in reverse – taking the bus back to Riva del Garda and then on to Rovereto – before catching a train onwards to Venice. It’s absolutely possible to visit Lake Ledro without a car, and the scenery along the way makes it an enjoyable journey. For those driving, the winding mountain road from Riva del Garda leads up to the lake in about 20 minutes, offering spectacular views along the way.
- View of Lake Garda from the bus
- On the bus past Lake Ledro
Where to Stay in Lake Ledro?
There are several villages around Lake Ledro, but if you’re looking for the best base with easy access to shops, restaurants, and activities, Pieve di Ledro is the ideal choice.
It’s one of the largest villages on the lake and has everything you need within walking distance, including a small supermarket, bakeries, and a handful of restaurants. It’s also close to the sailing school, which was especially convenient for us, as I’d signed the kids up for 5 days of sailing whilst I did some remote work!
Other villages around the lake, such as Pur and Molina di Ledro, offer a quieter stay, but they can be harder to reach by public transport or are further from the lakefront. If you’re travelling without a car, Pieve di Ledro is the most practical option.
Accommodation Options in Pieve di Ledro
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click on a link to purchase, it is at no extra cost to you, but I receive a small commission, which helps to support this blog!
Good Life Hotel Garden – Best for Flexibility and Facilities
We stayed in the self-catering apartments here, which were excellent value (located about 5 minutes walk from the hotel). They offered plenty of space and the freedom to cook our own meals while still giving us access to the hotel’s pool, garden, and facilities – including the free use of bicycles. This was a huge plus – the kids loved having a pool to jump into and we all enjoyed riding bikes around the lake. The garden was a lovely spot to relax and I even got some work done there. The hotel also has a restaurant, so there’s flexibility to eat in or dine out, which worked perfectly for us.
- Working at the Good Life Hotel Garden
Hotel Lido – Best for a Lakeside Location
Located right next to the lake, Hotel Lido is ideal if you want to step straight out onto the waterfront. However, the lakeside area here gets very busy during the day, especially in peak summer, so it may not feel as peaceful as other options. It’s great for families though, with a private garden overlooking the lake, a small children’s playground and table tennis tables.
ALpieve – Best for a Central Location with Rooms and Apartments
ALpieve offers both hotel rooms and apartments, making it a good choice for different types of travellers. It’s right in the centre of Pieve di Ledro, close to restaurants and shops and the lake, so everything is within easy reach.
Enjoy Ledro B&B – Best for a Cosy, Modern Stay
A stylish bed and breakfast with a modern feel, Enjoy Ledro B&B is a great choice if you’re after a smaller, more personal stay. The rooms are bright and comfortable, there’s a nice garden, and breakfast is highly rated. It’s very centrally located.
Hotel Sport – Best for Budget-Friendly Simplicity
A simple, comfortable hotel with friendly service, Hotel Sport offers a good-value stay in a central location. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for something practical and budget-friendly without too many extras. It offers family rooms and a good breakfast. We often ate dinner here, and the restaurant is great, with really friendly staff.
No matter where you stay in Pieve di Ledro, you’ll be within easy walking distance of the lake, restaurants, and activities, making it the best choice for a relaxed yet well-connected holiday.
Active Things to Do at Lago di Ledro
Lake Ledro is the perfect place for an active, outdoor holiday. The clear blue waters, surrounding forests, and mountain trails make it an ideal destination for cycling, hiking, and water sports.
Cycle Around the Lake
Cycling is one of the best ways to explore Lake Ledro, and the 9 km cycling path around the lake is an easy and scenic ride with plenty of opportunities to stop for a swim or a coffee along the way. Bike hire is available in Pieve di Ledro, but if your hotel offers free bikes, that’s even better – many accommodations provide both adult and kid sized bikes for free.
Cycling around Lake Ledro
Walk to the Beach in Pur
For an easy walk, head to the beach in Pur, a quieter part of the lake that feels further from the busier areas. The walk from Pieve di Ledro follows the lakeside through the woods and takes about 30–40 minutes, depending on your pace. The beach at Pur is one of the best places for swimming, with a mix of grassy and pebbly areas, super clear water and a relaxed atmosphere.
Canyoning with Trentino Climb
For a more adventurous experience, canyoning in the hills near Lake Garda is an exciting way to see the landscape from a different perspective. Trentino Climb offers guided canyoning experiences that involve jumping, sliding, and abseiling through waterfalls and rock pools. It’s a thrilling way to explore the mountain streams and hidden gorges, and it’s suitable for beginners as well as more experienced adventurers.
Trentino Climb’s base is conveniently in Pieve di Ledro, so they will take you to the start of the canyon in their van from there. The drive took about an hour from Ledro and took us along and then above Lake Garda – we collected others down near Lake Garda en route who had driven to a pre determined meeting point.
If anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, it’s a good idea to take travel sickness tablets before the drive. The mountain roads are winding, and the journey can feel quite long and twisty! However, the van ride was well worth it, and we had a brilliant time with our instructor Stefano, who made the whole experience fun and the right level of challenging!
Canyoning with Trentino Climb
Hike to the Nino Pernici Mountain Hut
For those wanting a demanding mountain hike, the trip to Nino Pernici mountain hut is a fantastic option. This 8 km route has 1,000 metres of elevation gain and takes around 4 – 5 hours to complete. This hike isn’t technical, but the elevation gain means it’s only one for experienced hikers! You can stay the night at the hut, or come back the same day if your legs are up to it!
- From Pieve di Ledro, follow path 454 towards Malga Saval, climbing steadily through forested terrain.
- At Bocca Saval (1,704m), join SAT 413, which leads to the Nino Pernici mountain hut – a perfect place for a break with stunning mountain views.
- To return a different way, follows the path to Malga Trat and SAT 403, eventually leading back to Locca, from where it’s an easy return to Pieve di Ledro.
The route offers breath taking panoramic views, and for those wanting an extra challenge, there’s the option to climb Cima Pari (1,991m) for a spectacular view over three lakes – Garda, Ledro, and Molveno.
Kids’ Sailing Course at AVLL
One of the main reasons we went to Lake Ledro was the kids’ sailing course at Associazione Vela Lago di Ledro (Lake Ledro Sailing Association). Running from 9:30 AM to 4 PM daily during the school holidays, the course is a brilliant way for kids to learn to sail in a safe and friendly environment.
Our children took part and loved it, though it was a bit daunting at first. The teachers and teenage helpers are all Italian, and most of the kids who take part are Italian too. This can feel a little intimidating for non-Italian speakers at first, but everyone is welcoming, and the instructors make an effort to translate instructions so that all the children understand. Despite the language barrier, our kids had a fantastic time, quickly picking up some skills and making friends along the way.
The course seemed well-structured, with experienced instructors ensuring that every child gets plenty of hands-on experience out on the water. They seemed to have quite a bit of down time during the hottest part of the day in the shaded club house too, and the whole thing was a complete bargain at €140 per child for the whole week, Monday to Friday.
This meant that I could get some remote work done, which was a win for me, knowing that the kids were busy having fun and learning something new. More details can be found on the AVLL website (https://www.avll.it/scuola_vela/).
Cultural & Family-Friendly Attractions
Lake Ledro isn’t just about outdoor adventures – it also has fascinating history, charming villages, and plenty of spots to relax by the water.
Pile-Dwelling Museum (Museo delle Palafitte del Lago di Ledro)
One of Lake Ledro’s most unique attractions is the Pile-Dwelling Museum, which brings to life the Bronze Age stilt village that once stood on the lake. You can get there easily from Pieve di Ledro by bike on the path around the lake. The reconstructed wooden huts sit on stilts over the water, just as they did thousands of years ago. Inside the museum, there are archaeological finds, interactive exhibits, and activities for kids.
Local Villages & Markets
Pieve di Ledro is the liveliest village on the lake, with a small selection of shops, cafés, and restaurants. It’s a great place to try local food, especially pizza, and to grab a gelato after a swim. The village also hosts weekly markets, where you can pick up local produce and handmade goods.
Relaxing by the Lake
If you’re looking for a place to swim, sunbathe, or enjoy a picnic, Lake Ledro has plenty of lakeside beaches and grassy areas, all with crystal-clear water and stunning mountain views. The water in the lake warms up nicely in the summer making it fantastic for swimming. The water quality is excellent, with a beautiful turquoise colour that is extremely inviting!
Some of the best spots to enjoy the lake include:
- Pieve di Ledro Beach – Close to restaurants and shops, making it the most convenient for families. It did get very busy here though, especially by the afternoon in August. Great for a morning swim on a hot day though!
- Pur Beach – A little quieter, with beautiful clear water and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Molina di Ledro Beach – A mix of pebbly and grassy areas, a convenient spot to cool off if you’ve been to the Pile-Dwelling Museum or halfway round your lake circumference bike ride!
- Swimming at Pur beach
Practical Tips for Visiting Lake Ledro
Eating, Drinking and Food Shopping in Pieve di Ledro
Lake Ledro may be a small destination, but it has plenty of great places to eat, drink, and pick up local produce.
Eating Out: Restaurants and Local Specialties
Traditional Trentino cuisine is hearty and delicious, with local dishes featuring polenta, mountain cheeses, lake fish, and game meats.
- Ristorante da Franco (Pieve di Ledro) – One of the best places to try traditional Trentino dishes, including grilled trout, polenta with cheese, and wild boar ragu.
- Hotel Sport (Pieve di Ledro) – A popular spot in the old part of the village, serving wood-fired pizzas and Italian classics – great for a relaxed meal.
- Osteria La Torre – Great little place in the pedestrianised part of the village, with local Trentino dishes and pizzas.
For a casual bite, there are several cafés and snack bars around the lake, perfect for a quick coffee, a pastry, or a gelato after a swim.
- Gelateria Green Ice (Pieve di Ledro) – Worth mentioning for its excellent gelato, which is ideal for a post-swim treat.
Food Shopping: Where to Stock Up
If you’re self-catering, there are a few small supermarkets in Pieve di Ledro where you can pick up essentials.
- Conad (Pieve di Ledro) – The main supermarket, with a good selection of fresh produce, bread, and local cheese.
- Local Markets – Held weekly in Pieve di Ledro, these are a great place to buy fresh fruit, cheese, and cured meats from local producers.
For something special, look out for local honey, Ledro Valley cheese, and homemade preserves, which make great souvenirs or picnic additions.
- Pizzas at Hotel Sport
- The weekly market in Pieve di Ledro
Best Time to Visit
Lake Ledro is lovely from late spring to early autumn.
- June to September is perfect for swimming, sailing, and outdoor activities, with warm temperatures and pleasantly cool nights.
- July and August are the warmest months, and it does get busy, but not as busy as Lake Garda.
- Autumn (September–October) is stunning, with fewer visitors and golden mountain colours, making it an excellent time for hiking.
Packing Tips
- For hiking: Sturdy shoes, a light backpack, and layers and waterproofs for changing mountain weather.
- For swimming: Swimsuits, towels, and water shoes (some beaches are pebbly).
- For cycling: If hiring a bike, consider bringing padded shorts and gloves for comfort.
Getting Around
Lake Ledro is small enough to explore on foot or by bike, and many hotels offer free bikes for guests.
- Walking – The lakeside paths and village roads are easy to navigate.
- Cycling – A great way to get around, with bike rental available in Pieve di Ledro.
- By car – If you want to explore further afield, driving is useful, but the bus connections to Riva del Garda make it possible to visit without a car.
Why Choose Lake Ledro Over Lake Garda?
Lake Garda is undeniably beautiful, but in peak season, it can feel a bit hectic and hot. Finding a quiet spot by the water isn’t always easy, and the traffic around the lake can make getting from place to place a slow process.
Lake Ledro is the perfect alternative to busy Lake Garda. It’s peaceful, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, and offers plenty of outdoor activities without the hustle or needing a car to get to places. Families will love the safe swimming areas, lakeside cycle paths, and fun local activities, while hikers and adventure seekers can explore the beautiful trails and even try canyoning.
With fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and a relaxed atmosphere, Lake Ledro is an ideal spot for a scenic, active, and stress-free holiday – all while still being close to Lake Garda if you want to visit.
