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Garda is a lake famous all over the world for windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing. And it deserves this fame, for the intensity and frequency of the days of good wind, but also for the superb landscape that can be enjoyed both while sailing in the water and while relaxing on the ground. In this article, we describe the spots of Torbole, in the northern part of the lake.
Windsurfing, spot review: Torbole (Lake Garda)
(Podcast available for Supporters users, in the central part of the article)
The spot works mainly with a thermal wind, the so called "Ora", which blows from the South, and from March to October, and from 12-13 o'clock up to late afternoon, during sunny days.
Infact, it rises because of the pressure difference between air on the lake (colder and heavier) and the air above the mountains and valleys North of the lake (warmer and lighter). So the cold air moves towards North to take place of warm air, which rises high in the sky.
In good days, the "Ora" can reach about 20-25 knots, with a pretty good chop of one meter. If you have low pressure, or too much cloudy skies above mountains, the "Ora" doesn't blow, or is unsteady, because the air, there, doesn't become enough warm.
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Northern Garda lake offers also the possibility to practise other sports, like trekking, free-climbing, and mountain bike ridings. But you can have also wonderful relaxing ridings with city bikes along the track that joins Torbole to Riva del Garda. I often have relaxing ride with my bike in the early morning along this track, during my summer week-ends in Torbole, and have pleasant breakfast at one of the many bars on the lake shore, enjoying the peace of the place in that moment of the day.
As for accomodation, in Torbole, in the first mentioned starting point (Conca d'Oro/Molo Paradiso), you don' t have any camping site, but only Hotels/Residences:
- Hotel Paradiso
- Residence Torbole
I have never tried either of them, but they are really in front of the first exit point (even if, in case you want to start from Conca d'Oro without going to its parking, you have to bring the equipment there, anyway). I trolley could be useful.
As for the second starting point (Circolo Surf Torbole), you have two campings, and some residences/hotels.
As for the campings:
- Camping Al Porto
- Camping Al Cor
The first is wider. Check their websites to verify if they have bungalows/mobil home, 'cause I don't know. People generally stay ther in tents, or autocaravans/caravans/vans.
As for hotels/residences:
- Residence Casa Al Sole
- Hotel Villa Claudia
to mention just the closest ones. Check on Google maps or booking/airbnb for other solutions.
Another camping is in the surroundings, with direct access to the lake beach (about 200-300 meters from Circolo surf Torbole):
- Camping Europa
Other places where to stay can be nice and quiter, but not as close to the starting point I mentioned.
Personally, when I spend a weekend or my vacation in the North Lake Garda, I like to stay in Arco di Trento, quieter, and far from the crowds.
If you want to have a good dinner, local surfers suggest:
- Alla Lega, at Arco di Trento (best restaurant that I tried so far according to me).
- Ai Conti, at Arco di Trento.
- Alla Grotta, at Arco di Trento.
- La Cantinota, at Arco di Trento.
- Speck Stube, at Malcesine.
- Kapuziner, at Riva del Garda.
Last thing to say is that during summer week-ends, and during August the spot is crowded (also lots of traffic along the road between Riva and Torbole), but anyway you can find your way and place, both in the water and at the beach. Indeed, you can enjoy more the spot during spring time (better wind and less crowd).
So, I wish you may come and enjoy Torbole!
Fabio Muriano
Here, below, you can watch two videoclips taken on the spot during summer sessions with the Ora wind.
