Bosco Chiesanuova sits at 1,106 metres above sea level, just thirty minutes by car from the centre of Verona. While the Arena radiates heat onto the cobblestones of Piazza Bra, up here the air still carries the scent of damp beech trees and pasture. Veronese families have known this for generations: when July tightens its grip on the city, you head up to the Lessinia. Visitors arriving in Verona for the opera or for Romeo and Juliet can do exactly the same, and return to the city with one more story to tell.
What to See in Lessinia in Summer: the Plateau that Inspired Mantegna and Dante
The first place to put on your list is the Ponte di Veja, in Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo, about 25 kilometres from Verona. It is a natural arch considered the largest in Europe, formed by the slow erosion of a karst cave. Andrea Mantegna, who travelled to Verona in the late 1450s to commission the Pala di San Zeno, visited the Lessinia and was so struck by the arch that he reproduced it in the fresco on the west wall of the Camera degli Sposi in the Castello di San Giorgio in Mantova, painted between 1465 and 1474. Earlier still, according to tradition, Dante — a guest of the Scaligeri in Verona during his exile — drew inspiration from the Ponte di Veja and its caves when conceiving the Malebolge in the eighth circle of Hell in the Divina Commedia.
Beneath the arch the air is always cool, almost damp. A stream runs under the vault and further along forms a waterfall, while a series of caves opens up in the surrounding area. Archaeological finds dating back to the Middle and Lower Palaeolithic have been discovered inside these caves. Visiting time: 45–60 minutes for the basic loop, 90 minutes if you explore the surrounding trails. Free entry; parking near the hamlet of contrada Giare.
A short distance away, the Valle delle Sfingi di Camposilvano, in Velo Veronese, is ideal for families with children: a short, easy loop trail enriched by large limestone monoliths among meadows and woodland, often with grazing animals nearby. A stop at the adjacent Museo Geopaleontologico di Camposilvano is well worth your time — it houses fossils, prehistoric skeletons, and artefacts documenting ancient human presence on the plateau.
Waterfalls, Alpine Huts, and Gnocchi Sbatui: How to Spend a Cool Day in Lessinia
For those seeking immediate physical relief from the heat, the answer is the Parco delle Cascate di Molina. It lies half an hour from Verona and from the southern shore of Lake Garda. The area extends across roughly 80,000 square metres of lush vegetation and abundant natural shade; three trails of varying difficulty allow you to choose your own pace. Entrance is ticketed; it is advisable to check opening times on the official website before setting out.
The best time to arrive at the waterfalls is early in the morning, before coach parties begin to arrive. After 4 pm the crowds thin out, and the light filtering through the ferns transforms the place into something entirely different.
For lunch, a stop at a malga — a traditional alpine dairy farm — is essential. Malga Malera, reachable from San Giorgio, serves malga gnocchi, canederli, polenta, and dishes from the Cimbrian tradition. Rifugio Castelberto, reachable from Passo Fittanze, is another classic destination for Cimbrian gnocchi and tagliatelle al ragù after a walk. The signature dish of the Lessinia is gnocchi sbatui with fioretta, dressed with local cheese and mountain butter.
For summer 2026, the Parco Naturale Regionale della Lessinia has launched a new edition of Camminaparco, featuring ten guided hikes and an Inclusive Week scheduled from 21 to 25 September. Participation in the hikes is free but places are limited, with mandatory booking by the day before.
How to Reach Lessinia from Verona: Journey Times, Roads, and Practical Tips
The Parco Naturale Regionale della Lessinia lies to the north of Verona and extends to the border with the province of Vicenza, encompassing the plateau of the Monti Lessini. The area covers a broad territory but is easy to reach thanks to the various routes radiating out from Verona.
By car: from central Verona, take the Valpolicella road towards San Pietro in Cariano, then head up towards Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo for the Ponte di Veja (approximately 35 minutes). For Bosco Chiesanuova, follow Strada Provinciale 6 della Lessinia (approximately 30 minutes). Parking is available in the village squares.
By motorbike or e-bike: the climb is scenic and not excessively steep. The roads of the Lessinia are among the favourites of Veneto cyclists on Saturday mornings. Those travelling by e-bike will find a few charging points in the main villages [⚠ EXACT NUMBER OF CHARGING POINTS FOR 2026 TO BE VERIFIED].
What to bring: light hiking shoes, a layer for the evening (even in July temperatures drop below 18°C after dark), and sunscreen. In Bosco Chiesanuova, even in summer, maximum temperatures hover around 16–17°C, compared to the 34–36°C currently suffocating the Veronese plain.
How long does a day trip to Lessinia from Verona take?
A full day is ideal, but 5–6 hours is enough: morning at the waterfalls or the Ponte di Veja, lunch at a malga, and back in the city by the afternoon in time for an aperitivo in the centre or a performance at the Arena.
Is Lessinia suitable for families with children?
Yes. The Valle delle Sfingi di Camposilvano and the Parco delle Cascate di Molina both have easy, well-marked trails suitable even for young children. The Museo Geopaleontologico di Camposilvano is designed with younger visitors in mind, with fossils and prehistoric finds on display.
If you are planning a stay in Verona in summer, the apartments at The Verona Stay — close to the Arena or the Teatro Ristori — make the perfect base: head up to the Lessinia in the early morning, then come back down in the evening to enjoy the city. Check availability at theveronastay.it.