Only 4% of tourists visiting Verona make it as far as the Lessinia. Yet less than 45 minutes by car is all it takes to find yourself at 1,700 metres above sea level, surrounded by silent pastures, protected edelweiss and mountain huts still serving malga beef the way they did a hundred years ago. It is one of Italy's sharpest contrasts: the city of the Arena below, and an untouched natural park that begins almost immediately behind the hills.
Why Lessinia is different from every other mountain near Verona
Lessinia is neither a ski destination nor a park geared up for crowds. It is a karst plateau, shaped by silent hamlets, beech forests, rocky outcrops and open pastures where the wind blows straight down from the Venetian Pre-Alps. The Parco Naturale Regionale covers more than 10,000 hectares, with karst formations, fossil deposits and an extensive network of trails. Within those boundaries deer, roe deer, chamois and marmots still roam the high pastures, and if you look up it is not unusual to spot a golden eagle or a peregrine falcon in flight. The most recent naturalistic curiosity? The wolf has recolonised Lessinia: the pair Slavc and Giulietta have re-established a presence of great scientific interest, regularly monitored. That is no small detail for those coming from Verona in search of something authentic and not purpose-built for tourism.
High-altitude huts open for stops: where to pause in 2026
Three mountain huts deserve a genuine visit, with verified details for summer 2026.
Rifugio Castelberto (1,765 m, Erbezzo) — At 1,765 metres in the Alta Lessinia, it is open every day from 12 June 2026, with closing on Wednesdays during June and July. A faithful reconstruction of a former First World War barracks, it stands in the locality of Castelberto in the municipality of Erbezzo, the northernmost endpoint of the plateau. Dinner and overnight stays (14 dormitory beds) by reservation only: 393/9928234.
Rifugio Malga Malera (Bosco Chiesanuova) — Located in the locality of Malga San Giorgio, it is reached in a 25-minute walk: 1.3 km of flat unpaved track, closed to traffic all year round and suitable for all ages. Nestled within the Natural Park, it is a place where silence and tranquillity truly reign. The 360° panorama stretches from Garda to Baldo, to the Adamello and across the entire city of Verona. Open at weekends throughout the year and every day during the peak summer season. Reservation recommended: 3421714873.
Malga Lessinia (Erbezzo, ~1,600 m) — The recommended approach is from Passo Fittanze, approximately 5 km, one hour on foot. There is no overnight accommodation, but it houses the IAT Lessinia and Museo Luxino, open Saturdays and Sundays (except the last weekend of the month), from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 17:30. Museum entry: 5€, reduced 3€.
The edelweiss: how to spot it without picking it
The Leontopodium alpinum — the edelweiss — is one of the quiet reasons why it is worth climbing into Lessinia between July and August. It is one of the undisputed symbols of the Alps, grows in rocky high-altitude environments fully exposed to the sun and survives up to 2,500 metres above sea level. Typical of calcareous alpine pastures, it flowers between July and August from 1,500 metres of altitude upwards. It is worth remembering: it is a protected species, so collecting not only the flowers but also the seeds is strictly prohibited. Seeking it out with your eyes, photographing it, leaving it where it is — this is the unwritten rule of those who frequent the plateau with respect. Along the trails around the Castelberto and the ridges of Erbezzo, the chances of spotting it in summer are real.
Camminaparco 2026: the Park's guided hiking programme
Those who prefer to explore Lessinia with a guide have a concrete opportunity in summer 2026. The Parco Naturale Regionale della Lessinia has launched Camminaparco 2026, a series of summer and autumn excursions aimed at enhancing the territory and making it accessible to everyone. Ten guided hikes are planned across the Park's municipalities. The most significant new addition of this edition: the Settimana Inclusiva, scheduled from 21 to 25 September 2026, designed to promote facilities and trails accessible to people with disabilities or vulnerabilities as well. Reservation is recommended for participation: information and confirmation are provided by the Park authority and local partners. The updated calendar is at lessiniapark.it.
How to reach Lessinia from Verona: practical information
From Verona to Bosco Chiesanuova the distance is approximately 30–33 km, with an estimated journey time of 40–45 minutes in normal traffic conditions. No motorway toll: you head straight up from the city via Grezzana and then Bosco Chiesanuova, the main gateway to the plateau. Those without a car can take bus line 110, at a cost of approximately 4–5€ and a journey time of around 1 hour and 16 minutes. For the higher huts (Castelberto, Malga Malera) a car is needed as far as the nearest hamlet, after which you continue on foot. Clothing: even in summer, temperatures drop at altitude. Always bring a waterproof layer and suitable footwear.
When is the best time to go up?
From mid-June to the end of September. July and August offer alpine flowers at their peak and huts open every day. September brings colours and an almost complete absence of crowds.
Can I visit Lessinia without being an experienced hiker?
Yes. The path to Malga Malera (1.3 km of flat unpaved track) is suitable for anyone, children included. For Castelberto, allow around one hour of walking on a marked trail.
Is overnight accommodation available at altitude?
Rifugio Castelberto offers a dormitory with 14 beds. To sleep at altitude in Lessinia it is always essential to book in advance: places fill up quickly at summer weekends.
If your base for the trip is Verona, the historic centre remains the best logistical choice: you leave in the morning, head up to altitude, and return for the evening. The apartments at The Verona Stay — close to the Arena or the Teatro Ristori — are just minutes from the centre, ready to welcome you after a full day in the open air among the Lessini.