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Malcesine is a tourist’s dream with its cobbled streets set against the scenic backdrop of the Monte Baldo mountains. While tourist attractions like the Scaligero castle with its 31m-high tower or water-sports like parasailing over Lake Garda may draw visitor’s attention, one of the smaller treasures in this district that should not be overlooked is the Aril River.

175m from source to mouth, the Aril River ist the the world's shortest river and it is through the quite little village of Cassone, near the town of Malcesine. Along its very brief voyage, this tiny river runs under three bridges and cascades down a small waterfall before finally flowing into Lake Garda at the harbour.

The source of the Aril River is a natural spring in the old town centre of Cassone, which forms a small pond filled with cool, oxygen-rich water. These conditions create an ideal spawning ground for the lake trout, who swim up the short Aril River in order to lay their eggs away from predators.

During the summer months this region is filled holidaymakers enjoying the sunny weather, lounging on the lake shore and eating ice-cream, but a trip to Lake Garda during the winter months can be just as spectacular. The winter landscape here is breath-taking and the flavours and scents of the region’s many Christmas markets will make the trip unforgettable. Once again the little village of Cassone with its petite tributary offers visitors who come to the region over Christmas something special. For more than 20 years, locals have prepared a beautiful floating nativity scene (in Italian “presepe”) which spans the Aril River. For both locals and visitors this is a sight to behold.

Malcesine is famous for its and restaurants and boutique stores, but it is also the perfect starting point for your visit to Cassone to see the natural wonder that is the world's shortest river.