Ponale road, Hiking trail and cycling path between Riva del Garda and Ledro Valley, Italy
The Ponale road is a hiking and cycling route between Riva del Garda and Ledro Valley, running approximately 6.4 kilometers along the western shore of Lake Garda. The path travels through tunnels and carved sections with views across the lake toward surrounding peaks.
Giacomo Cis designed and built this route in 1851, carving directly through rock to link Ledro with Riva del Garda for the first time. Austro-Hungarian forces later expanded the construction in the mid-1800s as a border defense initiative.
The trail preserves traces of Austro-Hungarian military presence, particularly the Tagliata del Ponale, a rocky passage carved into the mountainside as a defensive structure. Visitors can observe how these historical works shape the landscape and tell the story of border territories.
The route takes about three hours to walk, with an elevation change of roughly 470 meters and separate sections designated for walkers and cyclists. Sturdy footwear is advisable, especially near the tunnel areas where the path can be uneven.
A hydroelectric facility along the route uses the height difference between Lake Ledro and Lake Garda to generate electricity. The system channels water through underground pipes, demonstrating how the landscape's elevation is harnessed for power.
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