Malcesine and Brenzone are among the most popular holiday resorts on the northern shore of Lake Garda. Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, a long-planned project by the municipality of Brenzone sul Garda was realized in spring 2020 – much to the delight of returning holidaymakers.

A new, ten-kilometer-long cycling and hiking path now stretches along the shore to Malcesine, offering breathtaking views of Lake Garda. The route crosses 25 bridges and opens up numerous beaches and shoreline sections that were previously difficult to access.

The path was paved, while an area of over 550 square meters on the concrete bridges was covered with the durable Die Kompaktesolid planks. Due to its great success, the project was continued the following year and expanded beyond the borders of Malcesine and Brenzone.

Picturesque harbor basins, picturesque lake promenades and secluded bathing spots

The municipality of Brenzone sul Garda, comprised of 16 small villages and hamlets at the foot of Monte Baldo, has retained its original charm. Many of the picturesque towns are located directly on the water and delight with idyllic harbors, picturesque lakeside promenades, lakeside paths, and hidden swimming spots. Each town offers excellent starting points for excursions up Monte Baldo and into the surrounding countryside—a true paradise for hikers, bikers, and nature lovers.

Malcesine, one of the most popular holiday resorts on Lake Garda, has also retained its idyllic atmosphere. The historic townscape is dominated by the imposing Scaliger Castle, which towers over the medieval center with its small squares, winding arcades, and bumpy cobblestone paths. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stopped here in 1786 on his "Italian Journey" and expressed his fascination with the beauty of the place and its people in his diary entries.

Solid planks from Bavaria for a tourist highlight in Bella Italia

Completed between 2019 and 2021, the riverside path, which is shared by cyclists, walkers, and hikers, runs close to the water—away from the noisy, busy Gardesana waterfront road. The wide, paved path is illuminated in the evenings and is easily accessible by wheelchair or stroller.

Spanning a total of ten kilometers between Brenzone and Malcesine, the trail spans numerous tributaries of Lake Garda with 25 bridges. During the hike, tourists and locals alike enjoy unobstructed views of the lake – from gently rocking yachts to hidden bathing coves to the imposing western shore with its lush gardens.

The bridges and walkways fitted with Naturinform's solid planks would have a total length of 160 meters when lined up end-to-end. They vary in length from three to twelve meters and offer a perfect combination of durability, safety, and attractive appearance.

The compact scores with convincing features

Italbeton Srl. from Trento was awarded the contract for the entire project as general contractor. "The entire planning was not outsourced to an external architectural firm, but was carried out by our own engineers," explains Dr. Ing. Vittorio Caliari, who is responsible for the area's development in Brenzone.

"We started work in 2019, the main part of the construction work was carried out in 2020, and the extension of the riverside path was completed by early summer 2021," reports Dr. Caliari.

The restrictions on tourism during the coronavirus-related lockdown actually made construction work easier, as the riverbank area was largely deserted during this time. "In advance, we in the planning committee intensively considered the choice of flooring for the bridges. We deliberately decided against wood, even though it has actually always been the first choice for such construction projects in the past," Dr. Caliari continued.

Instead, the decision was made to use a weatherproof, durable, robust, and slip-resistant wood composite material made in Germany. Die Kompaktefrom Naturinform was chosen as a safe and easy-care surface that is optimally adapted to the climatic conditions on Lake Garda.

Maintenance-free, weather-resistant and (slip) safe

"Maintenance-free, weather-resistant, and, above all, safety and slip resistance were absolute priorities in the selection process," explains Vittorio Caliari. With Die Kompakte, the choice fell on a flooring that ensures secure grip even in wet conditions. Naturinform's solid floorboards have already proven themselves numerous times in water-related environments and on swimming pool terraces.

The surface is available with a finely ribbed side or block stripes – both brushed for better grip and increased slip resistance. The block stripe surface was chosen for this project because it guarantees the highest slip resistance rating of "R13" according to TÜV Rheinland.

Another advantage over wood: The planks don't splinter. With a length of up to 13 meters, a thickness of 21 millimeters, and a reversible surface, they are particularly versatile. The compact versionis available in brown, anthracite, and gray, with standard lengths of 3, 4, 5, and 6 meters – and custom lengths between 2 and 13 meters are also available upon request.

Threshold-free transitions between path and bridges

The 25 bridges of the riverside path span rugged riverbanks, small tributaries, and dry streambeds. Specialist contractor Donini Pavimenti laid the solid planks over an area of over 550 square meters. The planks were precisely fitted to the concrete path without any tripping edges, creating a seamless transition between the path and the bridge.

The bridges rest on solid concrete bases and are slightly curved. Their delicate stainless steel railings are attached to a Corten steel substructure. The supporting concrete structures are also clad in Corten steel—a material that harmonizes perfectly with the brown floorboards from Naturinform.

The Italian installation team first screwed aluminum profiles onto the slightly curved concrete surface and then secured the solid floorboards with concealed fasteners. The result: a flawless surface without any annoying screws – for a secure, elegant, and durable finish.

Professional for sustainable outdoor surfaces

Naturinform specializes in intelligent solutions for outdoor flooring and profiles. At its plant in Redwitz an der Rodach, wood composites are produced that combine the visual properties of traditional construction timber with the durability of a technical polymer.

The environmentally friendly polymer forms a protective coating around each individual wood fiber. The material is completely water-repellent, preventing water from penetrating the finished plank—while preserving the natural look and feel of wood.

This material offers enormous advantages, especially in damp or wet areas:

✔ No swelling or rotting
✔ No splintering
✔ No risk of slipping due to algae or moisture

More and more municipalities and public investors are relying on Naturinform because they require sustainable products in their tenders.

Climate-neutral production and resource conservation

Climate protection and resource conservation are top priorities for Naturinform. The certified climate-neutral production process uses exclusively wood fibers from domestic, sustainable forestry (PEFC-certified).

No additional tree felling: Wood fibers are used as a by-product of the wood processing industry.
100% recyclable: After use, the planks are inspected and returned to the production cycle.

All Naturinform products are certified with internationally recognized Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and are subject to regular quality and stress tests.

Warranty: The company offers a five-year warranty on its products.