In need of recalibrating, L360’s Evelyn Richards immersed herself in the nature of Garda Trentino.
There are moments in life when you know you need a reset. Mine came somewhere between too many unread emails and too little sleep – a gnawing feeling that I was operating on autopilot.
So, I booked a flight to northern Italy with one intention: to stop. Not to sightsee, not to tick off landmarks – just to be.
And Garda Trentino, with its slow pace, majestic mountains and ancient thermal springs, felt like the place to do it.
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A return to the mountains
When life gets loud, I listen for mountains. On my trip to northern Italy, the draw of chic Lake Garda was strong, but the true call came from the peaks. I made my way to Comano Terme, nestled in the folds of the Monte Casale range, where time slows down and the natural world envelops you.
The vistas were immediately intoxicating – the Brenta Dolomites cutting sharply into the sky, Alpine forests rolling like green waves below. I paired up with local guide Fabrizio for a challenging trek: the Malga Movlina and Rifugio XII Apostoli trail, climbing around 3,000 feet. It was more than a physical journey – it was a lesson in coexisting with nature.
Early on, we passed elderly men foraging for wild radicchio. Fabrizio explained that Alpine ingredients are often collected by locals and sold to restaurants. It struck me as a living connection between land and livelihood, something I rarely encounter in my day-to-day London life.
Further along, a wide-open pasture bloomed with wildflowers, blue skies stretching over us and cowbells ringing with a delicate, almost musical chime. Friendly horses nudged my hands, eyes wide with curiosity, and I felt more grounded than I had in months.
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On holy ground
Midway through, we hit the Scala Santa (holy steps), a wire-roped via ferrata section that requires strong arms and nerves of steel. This short rock climb is steep and uneven, needing a level of technical skill to tackle. Get to the top of the climb in one piece and you’ll be greeted with a statue of the Virgin Mary, blessing mountaineers to ensure safe passage. Legs trembling, I said a quiet prayer of thanks.
@evierichards98 Bricking it on the scala Santa, but so worth it to see wild horses, cows, and that amazing view 🗻🇮🇹 #dolomites #viaveratta #hiking @Destination Garda Trentino
The climb was worth it, however, thanks to the awe-inspiring view: snowcapped peaks in every direction, thick Alpine forest below, and not a sound but the wind.
The marriage of the community and the mountains is epitomised by a church carved into the top of the mountain. Dedicated to the Madonna Ausiliatrice (Our Lady, Help of Christians), and found near the Rifugio XII Apostoli hut, lies a small chapel with a crucifix window masterfully carved into the rock. The church serves as a memorial to those who have died in the mountains and offers a place of quiet reflection some 8,500 feet up in the sky.
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Healing waters
After my climb through the mountains, I turned to water – not just for refreshment, but for healing. The Grand Hotel Terme di Comano, in the heart of Comano Terme, is a destination in itself, where you’ll find natural thermal waters from the mountains. Flowing directly from the Adamello-Brenta Dolomites, the water here is rich in magnesium, calcium and bicarbonate – and it maintains a stable temperature of 27C year-round.
The locals have long believed in its powers. These waters are said to treat skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis, thanks to their soothing, anti-inflammatory properties.
I spent the afternoon drifting through the spa’s warm pools and sweaty steam rooms, the minerals working subtly on both body and mind. There’s a kind of magic in water that has been moving through stone for centuries – a reminder that nature doesn’t rush, and yet everything gets done.
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Bathing among trees
The next day, it was time to slow down and absorb the landscape in a new way – not through exertion, but stillness. The Grand Hotel Terme di Comano arranged for me to experience forest bathing, one of the many wellness activities available at the spa retreat.
Led by a gentle, soft-spoken guide, I walked slowly through a canopy of ancient pines, breathing deeply. The idea is simple: immerse yourself in the sensory experience of the forest, and let nature do the healing.
At first, I felt self-conscious – walking at half speed, touching bark, cupping water in my hands from a mountain stream. But somewhere between the filtered light and the earthy scent of moss, my mind unclenched. Forest bathing isn’t about doing; it’s about being in the moment.
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Food for the soul
French geographer Élisée Reclus once said, “To eat is to absorb a territory.” I’ve never understood that more clearly than during my time in Garda Trentino, where food doesn’t just nourish – it tells the story of the land, the people and the deep-rooted pride in both.
The experience that truly captured my heart – and taste buds – was the Sunset Pic Nic Experience at Maso Maserac, a farm perched on a gentle hill overlooking the valley below. Simona, who runs the farm, greeted us with a picnic basket full of local treasures and a warmth that matched the golden-hour light. As we settled on a blanket overlooking rows of crops and hazy peaks, she proudly pointed out that everything in the basket was grown right in the valley beneath us.
The spread was as beautiful as it was delicious. We sampled pesto orsino, a wild garlic pesto that was aromatic and earthy, and caciotta alle noci, a soft cheese enriched with walnuts unique to this region. I fell particularly in love with lamponada, a savoury raspberry sauce that was sweet, tart and perfect paired with local breads and cheeses. Each bite was a revelation, a taste of place in the truest sense.
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Simona’s passion for using local ingredients was infectious. She spoke of the land not just as a resource, but as a living partner – something to respect, understand and celebrate. That philosophy came through in every flavour. As the sun dipped behind the hills and the sky turned terracotta, I realised this was more than a meal – it was a memory in the making.
Back in the village, I also dined at Ristorante Maso Marocc, a restored mountain farmhouse serving pillowy ravioli and gnocchi with a view that competes with the food. And in Tenno, one of Italy’s most charming villages, I twirled forkfuls of rich spaghetti at Ristorante Antica Croce, set among cobbled streets and flower-filled balconies.
Garda Trentino’s cuisine reflects its geography and heritage – a balance of Mediterranean freshness, Alpine richness and central European heartiness. From the sweet Bleggiana walnut to the spiced carne salada beef, every dish feels distinctly of this place.
In Garda Trentino, to eat is to absorb a territory – and it’s the most delicious kind of understanding.
Finding myself in the wild
What I discovered in Garda Trentino wasn’t just a place, it was a practice. A way of life that prioritises connection: to the mountains, the forest, the food and ultimately, yourself.
Whether hiking towards the clouds, floating in mineral springs or simply standing still under a pine tree, I found pieces of myself I hadn’t even known I’d lost. In a world that asks for so much, nature gives back – quietly, consistently and without expectation.
If you, too, are in need of recalibrating, let this place hold you for a while. Trust me – it knows how.
For more information, visit the Garda Trentino tourist board website.
Feature image: Garda Dolomiti Spa Photo Archive
