from Desenzano del Garda to Peschiera del Garda
This stage of the Great Tour of Garda runs along the southernmost shore of the lake, from Desenzano to Peschiera.
The route runs for long stretches on lakeside promenades, with splendid views and suggestive panoramas, and to a lesser extent on the road, always provided with a sidewalk or a cycle-pedestrian path.
The route includes the entire Sirmione peninsula, including the Grotte di Catullo, sumptuous and fascinating ruins of an ancient Roman villa.
From the Desenzano pier you head east, along Via Anelli,
then you cross the Parco Marinai d'Italia, but without continuing on the lakefront, which is a cul-de-sac.
Instead, you take the road that runs obliquely with respect to the main street,
to continue on Via Lario for about 400 m, after which you turn left:
You reach and cross a small park; a ramp that goes down to the left gives access to the lakefront, to the right:
At the height of Rivoltella you reach and exceed the Spiaggia d'Oro,
and shortly after the Rivoltella beach,
and the marina:
You continue on the lakefront,
for about 750 m, after which you must turn right, and then left,
merging into Viale Agello:
At a first roundabout, you keep slightly left, staying on Via Agello,
while at the next one you turn left, entering Via Coorti Romane:
After following some curves,
and going straight through some minor crossroads, you reach another roundabout, where you cross Via Divisione Acqui; here you turn left,
taking and following Via Salvo d'Acquisto:
At the end of the street, you enter the San Vito park, and follow the internal road that turns right:
As soon as you leave the park, turning forcibly right, you reach Via XXV Aprile, which you take to the left (north):
You now proceed for about two kilometers,
continuing straight on Via Marconi,
until you get to the Rocca Scaligera, which also marks the entry point of the the historic center:
As soon as you pass the fortress, you turn right and then left, following the signs for the panoramic walk:
This brings you in a few steps to the lakefront;
you go along it for just over 500 m, and before a bar, you turn left, going up into the Tomelleri park, among the olive trees:
Soon you leave the park,
and you reach Via Catullo, where you turn right:
Shortly after you reach the entrance of the Grotte di Catullo:
The entrance is paid, and gives access to both the archaeological area and the museum. The ruins of the ancient and grandiose Roman villa are truly impressive and full of charm, for their extension and beauty, and for the natural context and landscape in which they are located.
You go back to Via Catullo,
continuing straight on Via Vittorio Emanuele,
to exit finally from the portal of the fortress:
You retrace Via XXV Aprile, for about 2200 m,
then turn left, downhill:
This brings you shortly to the lakefront,
and you follow it for 800 m.
Then you follow a forced turn to the right,
which leads to a roundabout, where you head left (south-east):
continuing straight, you reach Lugana, with its beautiful church,
and at the end of the block you turn left:
You reach the beautiful park of the port of Lugana,
and cross it to the right (east):
You continue on the lakefront,
going beyond Punta Grò,
then the road, which now points south,
merges into Via Miralago, where you take left (east):
You continue on the side of the road, on a track or sidewalk, for about 2 km,
until you reach a large roundabout, where instead of continuing straight on Via Bell'Italia, you turn left,
going to take Via Località Fornaci:
After about 100 m, you turn right,
and you reach the lakefront again, near Porto Fornaci, where you continue east:
Now you continue for 3 km on the lakefront,
passing Porto Cappuccini,
and continuing until the arrival:
■ gb, 2020-01-24