Around Tignale . Excursions and walks in Tignale

Route 1: Gardola to Piovere and return

Gardola (555 m.a.s.l. = metres above sea level) - Aer (560 m.a.s.l.)  Piovere (462 m.a.s.l.) - Gardola (555 m.a.s.l.) Time required 3 hours (there and back)
Footpath n°.265

Follow the signs from Gardola along the road to Aer (Via Panoramica). After the car park on your right  in Aer take the turning on your left (Via  Patrioti)  and then the turning off to your right into Via Marsala.When you arrive at Bar Silvana follow the path through a narrow passage covered by an arch on the left of the Bar . Carry on along this path that passes under a row of houses and various huts until you reach the last terraces of the plateau of Tignale before entering a shady wood of holm oaks.  There are some delightful secluded spots near the stream until you reach Pressà valley. From here you climb a stretch with steps until you arrive at a junction. This part is almost flat and called the “via dei canai “ (the road of the water pipes) because it followed the route of an old water pipe.  At the junction it is worth going the opposite way to the signposted route for about 30 metres, to admire the spectacular waterfalls and the narrow stone bridge that crosses a secondary branch of the stream.

Going back to the junction, carry on along the level footpath until you arrive at a holiday village and pass alongside a tennis court where there is a lane that brings you into the middle of the attractive old village of Piovere.  The churchyard of the church of S. Marco, perched on a little hillock, gives you a wonderful view over the lake and Mount Baldo on the other side.

Take the road from Gardola to Prabione for about a kilometre, until you arrive at the road on your right that leads to the Sanctuary of Montecastello (Santa Libera). You can also get there from Olzano, an attractive hamlet of Tignale, situated just above Gardola.  The climb up to the Sanctuary and Mount Cas is fairly steep and has the Stations of the Cross in small niches along its route. The Sanctuary was built in the sixteenth century and has wonderful views of the lake and Monte Baldo. (40 mins).
After visiting the church pass under the portico that runs alongside the modern building which acts as a retreat house (l’Eremo). Then follow the mule track that begins here and which goes to the top of the mountain, in some parts dug into the rock and with numerous caves and tunnels, the remains of fortifications carried out in the first World War with the aim of controlling the area of the lake and the nearby border area.  Follow the mule track that climbs steeply and with spectacular views until you reach the summit of Mount Cas, which is marked with a large metal cross. This was used as a lookout post in the first world war (20 mins. – 1 hr.).
From here you carry on along the ridge that, on the eastern face, falls perpendicularly directly down to the lake, a 600 metres drop. Arriving at a final open space with another breathtaking view northwards, after which you leave the dirt track to take the stepped footpath that descends to the foor of Mount Cas and then follow the main road back to Gardola.