Predore on Lake Iseo: Roman-era heritage, trails and mountain scenery

Predore combines Roman heritage with hiking and climbing routes, as well as excursions along the shores of Lake Iseo. If you are looking for a hotel in Predore, you can consider which side of the town you would like to shape your stay: the thermal complex in the historic centre, trails with clearly named destinations, or the lakeshore. The town’s different features offer concrete ways to decide.

Predore between the lakeshore and Corno di Predore

Predore lies at the mouth of the Torrente Rino in the lower basin of Lake Iseo. The municipal area stretches from the shore to Corno di Predore. The town’s landscape therefore includes not only the lakeshore but also higher-lying areas. Excursions along the shore are possible, as are routes to a summit or a mountain pass, or through the municipal area. Their respective destinations clearly distinguish these routes.

Roman heritage and historic buildings

In the historic centre is a thermal complex open to visitors today, which forms part of a large Roman villa. The thermal complex of the Villa dei Noni was built between the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Its integration into the villa is an important part of the town’s history: it is a complex within a larger Roman building, not a separate structure.

The Torre Foresti reflects a different period. The tower dates from the 13th–14th century and is a reminder of Predore’s medieval fortifications, which have since disappeared. The Santuario Madonna della Neve in San Gregorio stands at an altitude of 953 m. The Naèt also evokes the history of life on the water: the ancient boat was once used by fishermen.

Hiking trails with different destinations

Sentiero 734 begins with the staircase to Santuario di San Gregorio and leads through terraces and pastureland towards Verasca. It runs along a ridge through a forest of downy oaks and hop hornbeams to Punta Alta. The route description thus includes both open landscapes and sections through woodland, and names Punta Alta as a specific destination.

Sentiero Monte Bronzone starts at Piazza Vittorio Veneto and reaches the summit of Monte Bronzone via a steep section through the forest. Sentiero Cimacarda: Colle del Giogo also starts at Piazza Vittorio Veneto; it leads through the forest to the Colle del Giogo pass. The two trails therefore share a starting point but differ in route and destination: one reaches a summit via a steep forest section, while the other ends at a pass after a woodland route.

The Anello Maggiore route offers a different kind of trail. It forms a loop through the entire municipal area of Predore and thus differs from routes leading to a single summit or pass. On the Croce di Predore route, follow signpost 708 to the meadows of Col Giera. From there, you can see the summit of Corno Buco, marked by a metal cross at an altitude of 960 m.

Climbing area and trails by the lake

The Falesia di Predore begins above the town on the Bergamo side of Lake Iseo and extends east as far as the entrance to the first tunnel on the SP 469. The Falesie di Predore climbing area has around 70 routes graded from 4a to 8c; the number of routes may change. This makes it possible to treat the climbing areas as a separate topic from the hiking trails described here, without conflating their different destinations and details.

Excursions are also possible along the shores of Lake Iseo. Routes by the water therefore complement trails through terraces, pastureland and woodland, as well as destinations in the surrounding highlands. Which option you choose to focus on depends on whether you are looking for a lakeside route, a loop, or a trail leading to a summit or pass.

Getting there and finding your way

Bergamo Trasporti serves Predore on line E. The town is also accessible by boat all year round; check the current timetable before travelling. There are several car parks and a landing stage for the excursion boat near the archaeological site of the Villa dei Noni. This information can help you plan your journey and your visit to the archaeological site separately.

Discover more destinations: Bariano, Brembate, Verdello, Fuipiano Valle Imagna, Montello, Oltre Il Colle, Almenno San Bartolomeo, Bonate Sotto.

Return to the main travel overview: Bergamo.