Outdoor & Running Activation Days

Activation Days in Riva del Garda

The Outdoor & Running Activation Days make their debut in Riva del Garda, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), on May 16-17, 2026. This event serves as the public-facing component of the European Outdoor Week, a major international week that brings the entire outdoor and running industry to the shores of Upper Lake Garda. While the professional ORBDAYS & Outdoor trade fair is reserved for industry operators, the Activation Days open their doors to all enthusiasts: two days of field trials, guided experiences, and product testing in a spectacular natural setting, nestled between the lake and the mountains surrounding Riva del Garda.

The Village at the Giardini di Porta Orientale

The nerve center of the event is the Village set up at the Giardini di Porta Orientale, just a stone's throw from the Riva del Garda lakefront. This is where the exhibitors' stands are gathered and where all scheduled activities begin. The Village acts as the meeting point for registration and gear testing: shoes, technical apparel, and trekking or climbing equipment can be tested directly in the field, in the real-world conditions for which they were designed.

A program between lake and mountains

The rich calendar of free experiences covers all outdoor disciplines:

• Road running: guided 5 km and 8 km sessions, ranging from flat routes along the lakefront to the itinerary connecting Riva del Garda to Torbole along the bike paths, supported by athletes and running coaches.
• Trail running: experiences on Monte Brione and along the historic Ponale road, with its tunnels carved into the rock and breathtaking views of the lake, accompanied by trail champions and communities.
• Trekking: hikes toward the Bastione of Riva del Garda, through forests and spectacular vistas of Upper Lake Garda.
• Via ferrata and climbing: trials on equipped crags, including sessions designed for children and beginners in the Massone area.
• Yoga, nordic walking, and citizen science: activities dedicated to wellness and discovering the natural environment of Garda Trentino.

Free access and territory

All trials are free for participants; registration via the official event platform is required. The Activation Days represent an extraordinary showcase for the Municipality of Riva del Garda and the entire Garda Trentino region, a symbolic territory for Italian outdoor sports thanks to its mild climate, the lake waters, and the proximity of the Brenta Dolomites. This appointment inaugurates a tradition destined to grow over the years, bringing thousands of enthusiasts from all over Europe to Riva del Garda.