Chapel Santa Barbara
Chapel Santa Barbara
4.5
About
The small Chapel to Saint Barbara (m 625 – h 1,45 from Riva del Garda), was built in 1935 by the miners who worked on the conduits of the Ponale power plant. It is placed in a horrid and daring, yet panoramic position, on the slope of Mount Rocchetta near the start of the penstocks feeding the hydroelectrical plant. The Chapel is visible from afar thanks to nighttime lighting.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
516 reviews
Excellent
391
Very good
107
Average
15
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Chee Eng L
United Kingdom16 contributions
Jan 2023
After exploring the Bastion which had a nice view of Riva del Garda and the lake, we walked further up to Santa Barbara Chapel with an even more amazing view! This chapel is lighted up at night and can be seen from the ground in the city (which incurred our curiosity 1-2 nights before). So it was really nice to be able to hike up to the chapel to discover this!
Written February 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jockywockycocky
Tamworth, UK130 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Starting from the street next to the multi-story car park, it took just over an hour and 10 mins to climb and 45 mins to descend where I'm a 50 year old with a fair level of fitness.
Path starts fairly easy on a paved road with multiple switchbacksuntil you reach the Bastion. From there on the path is a normal, semi-maintained mountain path with a combination of rock and man-made steps. It's a little steeper towards the top but still a hike with no scrambling.
Path seems quite well used although, starting at 07.00 am I was the only one going up, during my 20 mins at the chapel and didn't see another person until I was 3/4 of the way back down.
Views are stunning as expected and the chapel itself is very well maintained really pretty up close.
Every time I looked up at it again from street level it have a good feeling thinking I've been there!
Overall an awesome short hike with rewarding views.
Path starts fairly easy on a paved road with multiple switchbacksuntil you reach the Bastion. From there on the path is a normal, semi-maintained mountain path with a combination of rock and man-made steps. It's a little steeper towards the top but still a hike with no scrambling.
Path seems quite well used although, starting at 07.00 am I was the only one going up, during my 20 mins at the chapel and didn't see another person until I was 3/4 of the way back down.
Views are stunning as expected and the chapel itself is very well maintained really pretty up close.
Every time I looked up at it again from street level it have a good feeling thinking I've been there!
Overall an awesome short hike with rewarding views.
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Celia
18 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
A Riva must do, spectacular views of the lake and up the valley- good place for a reccy of other sights you want to see. Takes about 45mins up for a pretty fit person. Look on AllTrails or similar and you can find multiple ways up. There is water just down from the chapel, it says do not drink but it tastes pretty good to me!
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shlomo Lip
1 contribution
Jan 2020
I started the claim in about 14:00 on 15th of January afternoon, for a 41 year old untrained & not accustomed to less than 5 degrees climate it was pretty hard to do it but I had a good amount of will power to do it. I did few small 2-3 minutes stops on the way, took some pictures. it took me about 1:15h to get up to the church. there is an amazing views of all the region from this high. The last steps to the church are very narrow & just on the cliff edge so if you are afraid of heights it might effect you, so look to the other side & up. Unfortunately I couldn't stay long up there because the Sun in this time of the year is already over the mountain & it is getting cold & dark by 16:40 so I started my way back. It was easier & faster than the way up but still not very easy since there are many place you need to go down from big rocks of wooden steps. I tool a little detour to the north on the way down to see the huge pipe that lead the water to the hydro electric station of Riva del Garda. It was a very hard effort to bring all the large metal pipe & concrete up here back in the 1930s. than I went back down, tired with some sore muscles in my legs but very satisfied.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SouthgateFamily
London, UK270 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
I am 54 and moderately fit but I am not a regular hiker or climber. This climb too me about 75 mins up and then an hour down from the street level.
The walk is pretty steep and rocky. I would recommend walking boots but you could manage it in trainers.
The view at the top of stupendous.
I took a litre of water and I would say that is the minimum I would think you need on a hot day.
The walk is pretty steep and rocky. I would recommend walking boots but you could manage it in trainers.
The view at the top of stupendous.
I took a litre of water and I would say that is the minimum I would think you need on a hot day.
Written July 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Artūrs
Riga, Latvia2 contributions
Dec 2021
Fantastic hiking! It had taken about 3 hours to reach Chapel, but route and view in the end is fantastic. I would advise to go there in early morning and get new energy and clean your mind. Wear comfortable shoes, because route in some places is rocky. If You are not prepared for such route, reach Bastion at least!
Written October 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Patrick Saddington
Chichester, UK2 contributions
Sep 2020
Amazing views, worth the effort. Wear good shoes and take water. Takes about 1.5 hours to walk. Path no different to a fell walk in the uk. Well shaded with tree cover.
Written September 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cpcervelo
Munich, Germany46 contributions
Aug 2020
I have hiked and run up here a number of times and the experience is always amazing. When you look at the chapel from Riva, it seems impossible to get up there. The trail itself is well built but can be treacherous at times. It's definitely not an easy hike especially when it's hot outside. Highly recommend as an experience for fit people. Make sure to bring plenty of water.
Written August 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jim M
Dublin, Ireland66 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
I had asked a couple of people about the walk up to this tiny church and both said ‘easy, no problem’. I should have realised they were much younger than me and no doubt very fit (one subsequently said that he and some friends RUN competitively up to this church!). But, this is NOT an easy climb. The first part, to Il Bastione, is fine as it is on completely pave pathway - although very steep (if you push hard, you will be breathing very hard by the time you get there). That takes 20 - 30 minutes. However, from there on, there is no paved pathway; there is a very steep track through the forest, for the most part studded with rock and shale with very frequent high ‘steps’. This is very tough on the legs (and lungs) and, of course, temperatures can be 30 degrees plus. Overall, it can take 90 minutes to get to the top (obviously shorter if you’re very fit - I’m fit enough and it took 90 / 100 minutes). Once there, the views are amazing, looking down over Riva and Lake Garda and north to the alps. Stunning. But then, you have to get back down - and there’s only one way, back down the way you came up. I found this even more difficult than going up because (stupidly) I didn’t have the right footwear. DO NOT wear runners (no matter how good you think they are; you will struggle the entire way but especially when going down ‘steps’ of rock which have been made as slippery as ice with decades of walkers. You need proper climbing shoes / boots. Most of the other people I came across (there weren’t too many) also had hiking sticks. So, if you’re fit enough and have the proper gear, this is a tough but ok trek and the reward at the top is worth it.
Written June 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Clement S
Ruislip, UK44 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
As you sit in the cafes, bars and restaurants around Riva del Garda by night your eyes are drawn to a floodlit bright white object on the mountainside. It seems but a tiny dot and that is because of its altitude from where you sit. We enquired and found that it was St Barbara's Church, built by miners many years ago to protect them whilst they constructed the hydro-electric installation. There is a path up to the church so why not pay it a visit? The path begins in the road just above Riva and is a not too difficult ascent along a properly constructed concrete path to the Bastione which is the rather derelict fortress that overlooks the town. The Bastione is pretty much a ruin but has had steps and metal staircases installed allowing visitors to explore this old monument. There is a nice cafe beside it and it has some lovely views over Riva and Lake Garda. The path onward to St Barbara’s above the Bastione is far less easy going. It is a narrow path made of broken rocks and stone and whilst there is no climbing involved it is a fairly arduous hike that zig-zags up the side of the mountain through the trees and we would not recommend it to anyone in poor health. Now to put it in perspective, in our ascent we were passed by runners who were sprinting up and down and one young couple was going up with a youngster in a back mounted baby carrier, but no one should underestimate the route. The views over Riva along the route are often obstructed by the trees but in various clearings they become increasingly breath-taking. The church itself is a pretty construction containing a grotto of holy images and some personal mementos but the views from it are truly stunning and make the climb totally worth the effort. At the top you are apparently only 650m up but it feels like you are on top of the world! The way down is back the way you came up and we actually thought that was slightly more difficult, although not fighting gravity there are loose stones so watch your footing. Tips, take plenty of water, a camera to capture the view and wear sensible footwear, at least trainers, hiking boots might be better, do not even think of attempting it in flip-flops or sandals. Also leave enough time to get back down to at least the Bastione in daylight. The path below the Bastione is lit but not the path above it.
Written August 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
matteo b
Cremona, Italy3 contributions
Si può raggiungere in
macchina?
andrea02betta
Riva Del Garda, Italy42 contributions
No, in macchina si può arrivare fino a Via Monteoro (da dove parte la camminata per il Bastione che poi giunge alla Chiesetta di S. Barbara) oppure in località Maddalena.
Hi
We only have a short amount of time but wish to visit this place - where is the best place to park the car and take a few snaps?
Thanks
Daniel M
5 contributions
There is parking after the old power plant on the right side. Then you climb up and you get the best pictures from the chapel.
Quanti sentieri ci sono per arrivare alla chiesa di Santa Barbara? Se si quali sono e dove ? Grazie .
claudio m
Riva Del Garda, Italy768 contributions
Ciao, ci sono due sentieri che raggiungono Santa Barbara. La differenza tra i due è che uno è più tranquillo e passa per il bosco, l'altro invece verso la metà si trasforma in un sentiero attrezzato con delle ferrate semplici. Tempo per arrivare circa 1,30 ora.
ArtyPebb
Westerham, UK4 contributions
There are some misleading pictures on here - how can I feed this back? They are pictures of an entirely different place?
Where do you access the path?
Heather
Fort Worth, Texas, USA100 contributions
The start of the route for both the Bastion and Santa Barbara is on SS45 and Via Bastion right by the roundabout and right under Villa Luisa.
Chapel Santa Barbara, Riva Del Garda
Frequently Asked Questions about Chapel Santa Barbara
- Hotels near Chapel Santa Barbara:
- (0.53 mi) Appartamenti LEON D'ORO
- (0.47 mi) Hotel Europa Sky Pool & Panorama
- (0.75 mi) Holiday IV Gardan
- (0.51 mi) Hotel Villa Miravalle
- (0.50 mi) Hotel Portici Romantik & Wellness
- Restaurants near Chapel Santa Barbara:
- (0.55 mi) La Caneva Bistrot
- (0.55 mi) Ristorante Pizzeria Bella Napoli
- (0.53 mi) Ristorante Pizzeria Leon d'Oro
- (0.55 mi) Ristorante Antiche Mura
- (0.57 mi) Al Volt