Nature and Environment

Lake Garda is the largest lake of Italy and encompasses an immense heritage of natural beauties: the “Riviera degli Olivi” (coast of the olive trees), Monte Baldo, natural parks, fascinating shores, emerald green waters and the suggestive Morainic hills are just some of the many not to be missed things you can find in this unique area. The typically Mediterranean climate makes this region the most northern cultivation area of lemon trees and olive trees in Europe. The lemon groves characterize the scenery with typically terraced gardens where also oranges, tangerines and citruses grow.
The Olive Riviera, on the east shore of the lake, features more than 200 varieties of olive trees, originally introduced by the Romans.

In the background, Monte Baldo dominates the scenery with its unique profile. This mountain is also called the “Garden of Europe“, a paradise for everyone who loves excursions and open-air activities. On its slopes you can find 43% of the entire Alpine flora, half of all the Italian species of orchards and 40% of all known butterfly species. Some of these organisms cannot be found anywhere else and are registered as “Baldense” (from the Baldo), such as the Anemone baldensis, the Galium baldensis and the Knautia baldensis.

The varied landscape boasts a Mediterranean lake shore with olive trees, citrus groves, oleanders, cypresses, agaves and holm oaks and an interior Alpine environment with ashes, sharp peaks, wild rocks and deep valleys where you will be immersed in black pines, ashes, oaks, beeches, Scots pines and spruces.

A rich and marvellous fauna populates this area. It is easy to spot various different types of organisms: water birds like great crested grebes and coots, forest birds like tits, jays and pugs, mountain birds like groses, birds of prey like golden eagles, eagle owls, hawks, buzzards and kestrels. There are also herbivorous such as the ibex, chamois, deer, doe deer and carnivorous like the lynx and the brown bear. Foxes and species from the weasel family are present in the more uncontaminated areas of the lake, for instance the hinterland, which is still wild, not so urbanized and unbeaten by tourists.

Not everyone knows that there is a precious protected habitat of around 2 million square metres, the “Riserva naturale della Rocca del Sasso e parco lacuale” in Manerba del Garda. It is the widest lake reservoir in Italy, a natural treasure for the study, development and protection of the environment and local fish stock.

There are more than 25 fish species living in the waters of Lake Garda. Due to its excellent meat, the Lake Garda carpione is the most appreciated one.
It is a native specie that can mainly be found in the northern part of Lake Garda. It is however at risk of extinction due to an excess of fishing and the artificial introduction of foreign species. Other fishes native to the lake are the common bleak, the eel, the pike, the tench and the brown trout, whereas the common carp, the coregonus lavaretus, European perch and the largemouth bass are from other ecosystems and have been artificially introduced by men.