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Pieve and Campione del Garda

For well over twenty-five years I've been visiting Garda, and yet only recently did I discover one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

I guess it is because Pieve is on a plateau set high above the lake, where it thrives in its obscurity while the world rushes by far below. Only Campione del Garda is actually on the water, and that's hidden away right at the bottom of a huge cliff.

Campione del Garda

Campione del Garda is right on the lake with a towering cliff rising sheer above.

Sadly, most of the inhabitants left with the closure of the cotton mill in 1981, and it is now being modernized into a yachting center. Apparently, the wind conditions are perfect for world-class sailors to practice for things like the Olympics.

It's great for sailors, but any character the town once had is gone. Spend an hour or two here enjoying an incredible location and the incredible scenerry, but that's more than enough time.

Strada della Forra

You simply must drive the Strada della Forra (SP 38). It is definitely one of the most scenically beautiful and varied drives I've ever experienced.

You start off in a huge, gloomy valley with lush vegetation. Towering cliffs rise sheer beside the road, and slowly, as you descend down to Piave, sunlight begins to illuminate the scenery. You get your first glimpses of blue waters far below, and cypress trees tell you that you're back in Italy, no longer in the Jurassic-like world of the first part of the drive.

As the road curves and bends, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Garda, a shimmering expanse of azure blue, painted with the white flecks of sailboats gliding gracefully across the lake's surface.

The Strada della Forra is hard to comprehend. How did the engineers manage to build something like this over a hundred years ago? Carved into the cliffs, it winds through narrow passages and tunnels and it was all dug out by manual laborers, no power tools or bulldozers. Just the blood, sweat, and no doubt tears of hundreds of workers.

As the drive draws to a close, you find yourself back in the embrace of charming Italian towns, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts from quaint cafés, and the laughter of locals fills the cobblestone streets.

The Strada della Forra is not just a drive; it's a sensory symphony. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Pieve

Pieve is one of the loveliest little towns in all of Italy; it has preserved its history and character over the centuries. Houses are still a harmonious blend of burnt umber or yellow ochre, and narrow cobbled lanes offer glimpses of the lake far below.

Head out of town along Viale Europa, which is lined with cypress trees, and you'll see a sign leading to the Hotel Paradiso. Turn left and end up on the Terrazza del Brivido. The views out across Lake Garda will give you goosebumps.

Visit the church in Piazza Cozzaglio too for breathtaking views. I could spend hours here, sitting on the bench next to the ancient olive tree while gazing out at tiny boats painting streaks of white across the blue canvas of the lake.

Where to Stay

Pieve is the perfect base to explore the area; there isn't a lot of choice when it comes to hotels, though.

There are a few people renting out rooms on Airbnb but if you'd prefer a hotel, then the Hotel Miralago is the top option. Its position is arguably the best on the entire lake. Sitting down to breakfast with this view makes every day perfect... even if you do nothing else until dinner.

Where and What to Eat

Because the towns up here above Lake Garda were not easily reached in centuries past, they had to develop their own cuisine, mostly simple mountain dishes with lots of cheese, gnocchi, and polenta.

In later years, fish from the lake became more common, and now risotto and pesce persico have become almost a signature dish of the town. Also try the casoncelli, a version of ravioli common in this part of Italy.

The best place to try the local cuisine is at Trattoria Da Angelo in Via Comunale, 4, Tremosine. It's run by Angelo and his family, and you'll find that lunches in the courtyard, surrounded by old stone walls, will be something you'll miss for a long time. Anything on the menu is good; however, the gnocchi made with local cheese is arguably the best I've ever had.