Lessinia Plateau and Ponte di Veja

The Lessinia plateau is a highland area in the Veneto, 25-40 km north of Verona, protected as the Parco Naturale Regionale della Lessinia. The base town is Bosco Chiesanuova, reached in about 45-60 minutes by car; limited ATV buses also serve the town, and their timetable should be verified, so a car or a guided tour from Verona is the most practical option. The landscape is made up of high meadows, beech and spruce woods, deep valleys called vaji and stone-built hamlets. The area has long been home to the Cimbrian community, a German-speaking minority whose language and traditions survive in local museums and place names. Cheese is central to the region, and the malghe, seasonal mountain dairies, produce Monte Veronese, which visitors can taste and buy directly in summer. The best-known natural attraction is the Ponte di Veja, a large natural rock arch near Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo, reached by a short walk of about 30-45 minutes from the parking area, with a nearby Grotta della Poscola. Other points of interest include the Geological Museum at Bosco Chiesanuova, the fossil collections of the Lessinia, and walking and cycling routes of various lengths. A sensible plan is to drive to Bosco Chiesanuova in the morning, walk to the Ponte di Veja or along a meadow trail, and have lunch at a malga or mountain trattoria serving polenta, cured meats and cheese. The afternoon can be spent at a dairy, a museum or a viewpoint over the plateau. Walking is moderate, with uneven trails and some elevation, so sturdy shoes are needed. May to October is the best period, with green pastures and cool air in summer; autumn brings foliage and mushroom season. In winter the plateau has cross-country skiing and limited downhill skiing, and some roads can be affected by snow. The weather is cooler than in Verona, so a light jacket is advisable even in summer.