Adam Ondra: “The best climbing areas of Lake Garda”

Some tips from a champion rock climber

In the north-east of Italy, between the Alps and Lake Garda, every year thousands of climbers from all over the world meet up. Sport climbing is indeed deeply rooted in Trentino thanks to its mountains that offer not only a wide range of walls, cliffs and crags of all types and varying difficulty, but also unique panoramas and unforgettable experiences.

It is no coincidence then that every summer in the town of Arco, on the shores of Lake Garda, top climbers from across the globe gather for Rock Master, a major international sport climbing event. Among its protagonists is Adam Ondra, one of the strongest rock climbers of all time. The Czech climber has been trying his hand at the walls overlooking Lake Garda ever since he was a child and still returns regularly and with enthusiasm to Trentino to try out new crags. We took the opportunity to ask him what his top climbing spots are... and his opinion can surely be trusted!

Adam Ondra’s top climbing spots of Lake Garda

#1 - The Parete di Nago - Segron

Probably one of the most interesting climbing spots in the Arco area. It’s located above the lakeside town of Nago-Torbole, at the feet of Monte Baldo. It boasts almost 120 long and technical climbing routes with difficulty ranging from 4c (5.6) to 7c (5.12d) with the majority of routes between 6a (5.10b) and 6c (5.11b). Fantastic view over Lake Garda.


#2 - The Falesia Belvedere

As its name suggests, this climbing area offers a great panorama ( “Belvedere” in Italian means “nice view”): a magnificent vista across the northern shores of Lake Garda! This crag too, with its white limestone walls, is located in Nago-Torbole. No particular technical difficulties in the “Basso A” sector whereas in the “Alto B” sector there are plenty of longer and more difficult routes.

Adam Ondra’s top climbing spots of Lake Garda

#3 - The Falesia Calvario

This crag is also located in the Garda area, between Lake Garda and the Sarca valley, not far from the town of Arco. It is immersed in a beautiful olive grove and it is about 25 meters high with several equipped routes ranging from grade 4 to 8. It is an iconic climbing spot, which hosted the Rock Master selections in 1987!

Explore Trentino's  Lake Garda climbing spots 

Explore Trentino's  Lake Garda climbing spots 

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Published on 06/06/2023