Arco: Gardens, history and climbing culture

If you are looking for a hotel in Arco, different interests may shape your stay: botanical diversity, cultural history, walking routes or climbing. Each place and activity has its own focus. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether you want to focus mainly on gardens and nature, art and architectural history, or a climbing session.

Gardens, plant diversity and the Sarca

Thanks to the mild climate of Alto Garda, more than 150 species of trees and shrubs from around the world grow in Parco Arciducale. Most are Mediterranean and subtropical plants. The gardens of Arco are home to 450 trees and shrubs, representing 128 botanical species and varieties. The two figures describe different aspects: species diversity is the focus at Parco Arciducale, while the gardens of Arco also highlight the number of trees and shrubs.

Access to Parco Arciducale is wheelchair-accessible and well signposted. Check the access details before your trip to make sure this information suits your planned visit.

Parco Fluviale della Sarca extends for about 80 kilometres along the entire river, from the Adamello glaciers to Lake Garda. Its signposted paths are almost entirely suitable for walking or cycling and pass through areas of natural, historical and cultural interest. The park thus combines exercise with nature and culture. You can take all these aspects into account when choosing an activity, without viewing the landscape merely as a route.

Art, architectural history and Rilke

Construction of the Chiesa Collegiata began in the early 17th century, and it houses numerous valuable works of art. The Galleria Civica G. Segantini di Arco offers a different connection to art history: it is housed in Palazzo dei Panni, which Giovambattista d’Arco had built towards the end of the 17th century. The Galleria is permanently set up as an exhibition space for the works of Giovanni Segantini. At the Collegiata, the focus is on architectural history and works of art, while the Galleria brings the palazzo and Segantini’s work together.

Castello di Arco can only be reached on foot via an ascent of about 20 minutes; check access details before your visit. The Castello also has a cantilevered structure with a floor partly made of tempered glass. Another way to explore Arco through literature is the Rilke Promenade di Arco. This literary walking route lies at the foot of the Castello and follows in the footsteps of the Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who was inspired by these places. The climb to the Castello and the walking route at the foot of the structure are therefore two distinct, specifically named options to consider when planning.

Getting around and climbing

The Salita al Castello di Arco route is accessible by public transport. Timetables and transport connections may change, so check the details for your travel dates. Arco Climbing has areas for bouldering and roped climbing. As the facility’s operations may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

The Rock Master in Arco continues to take place every year at the end of August. As one of the first international free-climbing competitions, it brings together the world’s best athletes in the discipline. If the competition is the reason for your stay, check the dates and programme for the year you have in mind. This lets you plan your trip around a specific event without assuming its date or programme for any particular year.

Discover more destinations: Piazzola, Commezzadura, Ville Del Monte, Nanno, Soraga, Spital Bei Yfän, Pracorno, Tremalzo

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