Located along the eastern shore of Lake Garda, on the border between the Veneto and Trentino regions, Monte Baldo abruptly rises to an altitude of 2218 metres.

The mountain range is a major destination for hiking, skiing, and paragliding, and it is the main attraction on the lake.

It provides panoramic views of the entire Lake Garda region and is a natural spectacle without equal. 

It is known as the “Garden of Europe” due to its rich, unique biodiversity, including botanical species difficult to find elsewhere.

Keen hikers can access Bonte Baldo via a series of hiking trails that start from different points on the mountain.

There are also cable cars and chairlifts for those who want to reach the summit effortlessly.

Once you reach the top of the mountain, you are free to explore it however you like.

Read More: Discover Some of the Very Best Things To See and Do Around Lake Garda, Italy

---

Your Guide To Visiting Monte Baldo Via Mount Baldo Cable Car

When we started planning a trip to Lake Garda, I knew we had to include a visit to the summit of Monte Baldo, especially as we had plans to stay in Malcesine, from where the Monte Baldo cable car departs.

Due to the bad and foggy weather, we missed it on our first visit to Malcesine.

While the ride wasn’t without small mishaps ( queuing for well over an hour for the lift when you start up), it was well worth the hassle to enjoy the sweeping views from the summit on a sunny summer’s day.

Besides the horrible queuing system, it is a worthwhile excursion.

Read More: Must-See Attractions in Malcesine, Lake Garda: A Comprehensive Visitor’s Guide

---

Monte Baldo Cable Car

The Malcesine Cable Car is an impressive engineering work that connects the picturesque town of Malcesine with the majestic peaks of Monte Baldo.

 It dates back to the 1960s but was renovated in 2002 to effortlessly transport visitors uphill to the Tratto Spino station at an altitude of 1,780 meters in just 15 minutes.

Not only is taking a cable car the fastest way to conquer the heights of the mountain, but it also provides a unique experience that allows you to admire the incredible beauty of the Garda landscape, from the green alpine pastures to the shimmering surface of the lake.

The cable car has three stations. The departure station is in Malcesine and the second one is in San Michele, at an altitude of about 562 metres.

At the second station, you’ll transfer into an innovative revolving cabin that can accommodate 80 people per trip and offers a spectacular 360° panoramic view during the ascent.

Once at the top of the mountain, you’ll be able to hike, bike, or paraglide if you’re adventurous!

There are also snack bars and restaurants where you can have lunch, all conveniently located close to the cable car station.

• Address: Malcesine – Mt. Baldo Funivia, Via Navene Vecchia, 12

• Phone number: Malcesine (+39) 045 740 0206

• Webpage: http://www.funiviedelbaldo.it

Read More: The Beginner’s Guide to Venice: 12+ Powerful Tips To Make The Most Of Your Trip

---

How To Get To and Where To Park For the Mount Baldo Cable Car

Mount Baldo Cable Car is located in Malcesine, Lake Garda.

You can easily reach Malcesine by ferry or by bus, depending on where you are coming from. 

The cable car is a popular attraction, and you’ll find ample underground parking right next to the ticket station for people who are visiting Monte Baldo by car.

It is a paid parking and payment has to be made at the automatic machines on floor -1 of the car park, but it is worth it to park your car indoors, especially during hot summer days.

After having parked our rental car, we headed straight for the Monte Baldo Cable car. We planned well ahead for this trip to Lake Garda, and pre-booked tickets and designated time slots for the cable car.

Despite arriving on time, we had to wait a further hour due to the immense flow of people.  The ride and the views were incredible, but the disorganisation and time spent waiting to embark were really frustrating.

Luckily, the whole waiting area was shaded, making it a more pleasant time in the queue.

Read More: The Dolomites: Your Guide To Visiting Val Gardena Valley in Northeastern Italy

---

Monte Baldo Info, Ticket Prices and Opening Hours

Generally, you can save 2 Euros pr. ticket if you buy online, AND you skip one of the two queues once you are at the cable car station 

• General Schedule: Typically 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM/6:45 PM (last descent), running every 20–30 minutes.

• Operating Season: Open for roughly 10 months, generally closing for maintenance in November and March.

• Stations: Starts in Malcesine, stops at San Michele, and reaches the top at Tratto Spino (1780m).

• Important: The schedule can vary based on weather and passenger numbers. 

Read More: 8 unforgettable things to see and do in beautiful Venice, Italy

---

Hiking Routes on the summit of Monte Baldo

Once you reach the top station, there is a pretty straightforward walk to the easily accessible spot called Punto Panoramico that offers stunning 360-degree views of Lake Garda and the surrounding Alps.

The trail was very crowded when we visited, but that’s how it can often be with easy and very well-known routes.

For those who are keen hikers, there are many different hikes to choose from, depending on your hiking abilities and other plans at Lake Garda.

If you are staying in Malcesine, you can easily spend several days hiking and exploring the beautiful nature and scenery at Monte Baldo.

You can also skip the cable car experience altogether and hike all the way from Malcesine (or halfway from the cable car substation San Michele), or even take an electric bike along the gravel road.

Most of the hotels and guesthouses around Lake Garda offer bike rentals for affordable prices, making it an easier alternative to choose from.

*Good to know –  It is highly recommended to wear layered clothing as temperatures are significantly lower at the summit than at the lake shore. 

Read More: An Unforgettable 10-day European Itinerary For You To Borrow

If you wish to steer away from the crowds, you’ll find numerous trails of varying levels of difficulty:

Some of the easy trails on the mountain:

• Sentiero delle Creste: accessible directly from the Tratto Spino cable car, it offers spectacular views with minimal elevation gain,

• Anello di San Michele: a circular route of about 5 km around the top cable car station

• Passeggiata Novezzina-Orto Botanico: ideal for families and discovering local flora.

Medium to difficult trails on the mountain

• Sentiero 651: from Prada Alta to Cima Telegrafo, with an elevation gain of about 700 m and 3 hours of walking,

• Sentiero 3: from San Michele to Rifugio Chierego, suitable for non-expert but fit hikers,

• Anello dei Forti: a historical-naturalistic route connecting the fortifications of World War I.

Read More: Slovenia Travel Guide: 9 Incredible Things To See And Do At The Beautiful Lake Bled

---

Paragliding on Monte Baldo

With its strategic position and generally favourable weather, Monte Baldo is an ideal place for paragliding.

The upward currents caused by the interaction between the lake and the mountain slopes provide the perfect conditions to soar through the sky.

Paragliding is an amazing experience and one of the most popular activities on Monte Baldo.

I noticed many paragliders travelling with a cable car and then unfolding the sail and taking off, launching into the air from a point on or around the Costabella ridge.

I imagine that paragliders get insanely beautiful views of Lake Garda from here. And the spectacular panorama of the Alps and the Dolomites makes the experience even more memorable.

Read More: How To Spend One Day In Munich: An Efficient Itinerary For a First-Time Visitor

---

Go For a Stroll with Adorable Apacas

Another fun activity on the mountain is to learn how to slow down at the pace and the enjoyment of the Alpacas.

These gentle, curious, and intelligent animals make excellent walking companions for people of all ages. 

Despite being termed “walks”, they are more like slow-paced strolls, filled with stops.

Alpaca walks are accompanied by an experienced handler who introduces the animals, explains their behaviour,  how to handle the animals and provides guidance when needed.

The tours last around 50 minutes and include a stop where the guide ensures everyone has a photo with alpacas.

What to expect:

• Respect the Animal’s Pace: The animals set the pace. They often stop to graze or ruminate, and you should go along with it.

• Personality Differences: Each alpaca has a unique personality. Some are gentle or shy, while others can be more confident leaders.

• What to Wear: Sturdy footwear is essential as the paths can be uneven or muddy.

Read More: Exploring Amsterdam with a Boat Cruise: 10 Useful Tips for A Memorable Experience

---

SkyWalk Monte Baldo Lounge Bar

After all the exploring, hiking and being outdoors, you are going to be hungry.

Luckily, there are many places where you can stop for lunch on the Monte Baldo summit if you forgot your picnic.

Keep in mind that the prices are much higher on the mountain. We only stopped by the cafe with the kids’ playground, as they made a brilliant charcuterie board and local cheeses. 

• Forts’ Hut | situated right next to the top station, Forts’ Hut is a family-run, mountain inn, where you can eat, sleep and rent e-bikes

• SkyWalk Monte Baldo Lounge Bar | has a fantastic panoramic terrace.

• The Shed | offering a good choice and quality of typical dishes, the Shed is a very nice, but a tad expensive place to grab a bite

Read More: A Day of Discovery: The Perfect Day in Bayonne: Food, Sights, and Stories

---

Useful Tips For Visiting Monte Baldo

Always check weather forecasts before departing: the weather in the mountains can change quickly

Inform someone of your destination and expected return time

Do not leave marked trails and avoid walking on the meadows to protect the wild species growing here.

Respect nature: do not pick protected flowers, and do not leave trash

Make a note of emergency numbers: 112 (single emergency number) and 118 (medical emergency)

If you are travelling with children, plan shorter routes, especially in hot weather

Read More: What It’s Like To Experience A Thrilling Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Marrakech

…    …    …    …    …    …    …    …     …    …    …    …    …    …    …    …    …    …    …    …    …    …

Now, over to you!

Have you been to Monte Baldo? Let us know in the comments!

Let us know if you are planning a visit to Monte Baldo and have travel-related questions!

Subscribe

Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter to stay up to date with all our outdoor adventures

Enter your email below to receive updates

You can also find Our Crossings on Facebook and on Instagram