Another Lake Garda Question

Posted by kjmoller (Atlanta, GA) on 08/30/15 11:17 AM

The recent conversation between Inbsig and Ken renewed my interest in a drive along Lake Garda.

In late September, my wife and I will be driving from Siena to Val Gardena. I've been thinking about incorporating the drive along the Lake Garda shoreline into the trip. Specifically, I'd take A22 to A4 to SR249 in Peschiera. Then drive SR 249 to Torbole where I would take SS240 back to A22. When I use google to check the differences in time and distance, it seems to add somewhere around 35 km and between 1.5 and 2.0 hours to the trip, neither of which are objectionable.

The questions are: 1) are the estimates reasonable? and 2) is it a nice drive? I'm sure there are a range of interests along the way just judging by Ken's comments and that's OK. The goal is just to add more interest and diversity to our trip.

As usual, thanks in advance for your time and responses.

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

08/30/15 07:53 PM

32202 posts

kj,

Roberto would be the best one to comment on this question, and I'm sure he will have some great suggestions. One thought that occurs to me after reading your proposed route, is that I've found that Google or Map Quest directions are at best an estimate. Invariably, drives ALWAYS take longer than even the best computer estimates.

Posted by Zoe

Toledo, Ohio, US

08/30/15 09:30 PM

11613 posts

It's s nice drive but there may be a lot of traffic on weekends, so allow some time for that.

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

08/30/15 10:30 PM

15161 posts

I like the drive on the western shore better. It's the same section where they filmed the car chase in James Bond: Quantum of Solace (check a clip on YouTube).
Definitely stop in Limone if you do go on that side. Whatever Google Maps tells you is ok, but you need to add sufficient time for pit stops. You are not driving there without stopping for some photos and maybe to eat. I'm sure you might want to visit Sirmione too (everybody and their mothers do), and that will add time.
You need almost 4 hours of driving to reach the south side of the lake. From there to the north side is another couple of hours, maybe a bit less. Take your time to drive and visit. Just be aware that from Riva/Torbole to the Val Gardena takes almost 2 hours, so if you want to reach it before dark in September, you need to leave Riva by 6pm. The road is good and largely freeway, except for around the lake and as you approach the Val Gardena. Those are two lane highways but they are good. Just be careful of speed limits inside built up areas where the limit is 50 km/h. Those speed cameras are diabolical.
Leave very early to maximize your time there.

Posted by kjmoller OP

Atlanta, GA

08/31/15 03:40 PM

84 posts

Ken, Zoe and Roberto - Thanks much for your thoughts and suggestions.

Zoe - Good point. As of now, it's a Thursday drive (24 September) and we'll definitely be leaving early.

Roberto - Maybe I'm reading too much into your comment on Sirmione - is it too touristy? If not, is it accessible by car.

Ken - My wife's also a semi-professional photographer, so numerous pictures might become an understatement. Your comment in a prior posting sounds like, in your opinion, we won't miss much if we don't stop - right?

Thanks again, all!