Some thoughts and reports from outings...
Blogs from some outdoor adventures.....
First visit to Italy and the Trentino Lake District and although my initial plans had been altered due to my OCD knee issues, I still managed to have some adventures in Trentino. Arriving after an over night stay in Paris, the train brought us through the Alps and deposited us in a sweltering Milano. A heat wave had been stifling the southern half of Europe whilst the rest of us (i.e. Scotland ) were struggling to make the high teens, so for us peely wally Scots the heat hit us hard. However we were soon in an air conditioned taxi taking us up to Milano Centrino station, probably the most impressive station I've visited. A short time later and we were on the final leg to fair Verona where we were met by our pick up. By 7pm we were settled in to our Palace in Riva for the following eight days :) Ferrata had been planned but my knee soon saw that plan vanquished - however the view from the top of the hotel mustered up some new plans... what was the path running up the north western shore, could it be biked, Arco looked fine a little to the north and the Lake smacked off water borne adventures... The first exercise though was testing out the waters of Lake Garda, nothing to do with exercise but more to do with cooling off!! The mirror calm morning surface of the Lake soon disappeared in the afternoon as the Ora wind blew the length of the Lake from the south on its way to the Dolomites. I had expected the waters to be cold following my Loch experiences but was pleasantly surprised and had many a cooling dook on the northern shores. A fine eye level viewpoint of the many wind surfers and sailers that take advantage of the breeze in the latter half of the day too :) After settling in I decided on a trip to Arco and to see its many climbing shops. A few beers the night before saw a late start and I reached Arco around midday, just as the shops were closing! However a fine medieval centre with the Castle and crag dominating all, gave some fine views and a nice leg stretched. The excellent cycle path up the Sarca valley meant the hotel bike was fine on the trip, however a new one would be needed for the inviting path that cut up the cliff on the western shore -mmmmm A couple of snaps of Arco Castle..... A short film of my Lake Garda adventures.... Following the Arco trip and observing the effects of the Ora and Peler winds on the Lake I decided on a morning kayak up the coast. A small sit on top was purchased for the morning and I headed out in perfect conditions. The small craft cut through the glassy surface beautifully and I soon reached the western shores line. A fine paddle and I made for what looked like a hotel restaurant near the opening of the Ledro Valley. Upon arrival it turned out to be derelict, but it was the sound of rushing water tat took my attention. Nearby and through an archway under the road was the last stand of the Ponale Waterfall. This was the highlight of the trip as I had not realised this was here. After milling around for a while I headed further south before turning and heading back. It was still early and apart from the odd water taxis, the lake was mine! Another highlight saw me passing a Greene snake bathing its self on the side of the water. Not too sure how aquatic these are but I was delighted at my spot, I have never seen an alive adder back home so this made me smile. Time was marching on and I didn't want to be on the water far from shore as the Ora arrived so I headed back and was home just for the last breakfast at the hotel - a fine morning outing... Next up was the trail that I had spotted from the roof of the hotel... Upon some further research I found that this was called the Ponale Trail, a relatively easy walking and MTB trail straight from Riva del Garda. The next day saw me early at the hire shop again, this time on a MTB not a kayak. I was soon ascending the fine Ponale path that hugs the cliff and gives some spectacular views. I soon reaching the café which has views to the Ponale Waterfall. After seeing the majestic outflow of this stream , I was rather underwhelmed by the main event!! However I decided to keep going and the path , now tarred , zig zagged up to Pregasina. I felt good and kept gaining height until I reached Pregasina and stopped for a well earned Coke a Cola and water. The hard work was done and the next 45 mins was pure down hill joy :) Back to Riva having satisfied my curiosity.... Having really missed the hills over the last few months, I now had a chance to head high, around 1700m !! Although (massively) cheating, we headed up on the Monte Baldo chairlift from Malcesine. A fine few hours was had relaxing and watching the paragliders and looking down on the Lake that resembled Loch Lomond on steroids. My knee ached from the short hike we did and this re confirmed the fragility of the situation when any weight is put on the joint - need it fixed fast!! so as I can fix my mountain requirements!!! A fine holiday and would love to return to incorporate some ferrata!
2 Comments
8/29/2015 03:24:41 am
Hi,
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8/31/2015 05:49:19 am
Thanks David - much appreciated - hope your Achilles heals soon too and you can get back to your running :)
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