Grotta Tanella

Useful Information

Location:	Starting point: Piazza san Marco, Pai di Sopra, Commune di Torri di Benaco, VR. East shore of Lake Garda. (N 79 V/VR) (45.6541578, 10.7304146)
Open:	closed. [2026]
Fee:	closed. [2026]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	helmets with headlamps provided.
Dimension:	L=400 m, T=12 °C.
Guided tours:	Tanella Caving: D=30 min hike, D=40 min cave. Tanella Exploring: D=2 h hike, D=40 min cave. Max. 12 people.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Grotta Tanella, Pai di Sopra, Tel: +39-340-9631510, +39-340-7661116. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

2003	cave opened to the public.

Description

The cave Grotta Tanella is a small semi-wild show cave located at the eastern shore of Lake Garda in the small village Pai di Sopra, which belongs to Torri di Benaco. There is a trail and railings, but no electric light, and the trail is sometimes a little rough. Sturdy boots or sneakers and appropriate clothes, like trekking clothes or sports clothes are required. The cave is rather cool, so a jacket is also recommended. Helmets and headlamps are provided by the guide. Visitors should be able to walk some distance and climb rather steep ascends.

Regular tours were offered by Biosphaera during the 2010s on a rather complex schedule during the summer months. Two different tours were offered, which both included a 40-min cave visit. Tanella Caving included a 30-min walk directly to the cave, Tanella Exploring extended the hike to two hours showing natural and historic beauties of the surrounding nature park. The tours were guided by Biosphaera’s naturalistic guides, members of the Veneto Region Naturalistic-Environmental Guides, or members of the Italian Association of the Naturalistic Excursionistic Guides (AIGAE). However, it seems they discontinued the tours some years ago, unfortunately they do not give any info on the whereabouts. The cave is gated, but it seems the gate is regularly destroyed. Normally we would strongly advise against visiting a gated cave, but in this case it’s a show cave and there still are the trails. Nevertheless, you should observe all relevant rules for safe caving.