Italy
Country
5 days
Duration
April-October
When
Easy
Difficulty
Full board
Board

Slow hike through Lessinia Regional Natural Park: A natural and cultural gem

Nestled in the heart of Italy’s pre-Alps, the Lessinia Regional Natural Park beckons with its lush landscapes, awe-inspiring mountains, and a treasure trove of biodiversity. This enchanting region, spanning over 10,000 hectares, offers a myriad of outdoor adventures and a fascinating journey through history, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.

Tour Highlights:

  • Nature’s playground: Lessinia’s landscape is a haven for hikers, with its sprawling pastures, dramatic mountain peaks, and an array of flora and fauna. Deer, marmots, foxes, and even golden eagles call this park home. Discover untouched natural beauty as you traverse its pristine trails.
  • Cultural time capsule: Rich in history, Lessinia Regional Natural Park is a testament to Italy’s past. Settled by the Cimbri people in the 13th century, it boasts a wealth of historical landmarks and classical European architecture. Charming towns like Boscochiesanuova, Contrada Laorno, and Bosco Chiesanuova are a window into this region’s cultural heritage.
  • Diverse landscapes: Stretching from the Veronese Province to Trento, this area boasts it all: towering mountains, steep cliffs, deep valleys, verdant pastures, and ancient villages. Whether you seek Alpine hikes, self-guided excursions with luggage transfer, or a perfect slow-paced hike, Lessinia’s diverse terrain offers endless possibilities.

Lessinia Regional Natural Park offers not only natural wonders but also a delectable journey through local delicacies and wines. Indulge in traditional dishes served in charming mountain refuges, where the warm hospitality of local hosts will make you feel at home. Each evening, savor a three-course dinner featuring authentic regional flavors.

The foothills and hilly areas of Lessinia are graced with olive groves, cherry plantations, and productive vineyards. These areas are known for their excellent wines. You’ll have the chance to sample a wide selection of local wines, perfectly complementing the rich flavors of Italian cuisine.

Hiking in Lessinia Regional Natural Park is a diverse and rewarding experience. Whether you’re drawn by cultural heritage, natural beauty, or the thrill of a challenging hike, this enchanting region in Italy has something to offer. Immerse yourself in the best that Mother Nature and Italian culture have to offer, and be sure to pack essentials for your adventure through this remarkable natural and cultural gem.

Included Services

  • Full board
  • Welcome briefing
  • Support line
  • Hiking maps
  • Double room
  • Flight
  • Travel insurance

What to bring

Equipment and clothing to bring for Alpine hikes and runs
We’ve compiled a list of essential items you’ll need to take on your adventure in the Great Outdoors. While each trip has its own minimum requirements, we have split the list into “need-to-have” and “nice-to-haves”.

Need to have:

Lightweight, waterproof shell
Sunscreen with a high factor
Smartphone with a relevant trip app and a WhatsApp and code number for your local representative
Survival blanket
Thin hat, cap, and thin gloves (merino or similar)
Daypack for hiking (tours with luggage transport)
Duffel bag or similar (trips with luggage transport) — DO NOT pack in suitcases.
30 L rucksack on trips up to six days (without luggage transport)
40 L rucksack on trips of more than six days (without luggage transport)
Quick-drying inner layer
Shorts (quick drying)
Technical t-shirt (quick drying)
Fleece sweater for cool evenings
A pair of comfortable jogging bottoms or similar for the cabins
Good mountain shoes — trail running shoes or hiking boots
Light towel
Water bottle (1.5 L)
A pair of thick socks or light slippers (you can often borrow a pair in the cabins)
Sunglasses
A few energy bars, fruits or similar snacks for the trip
Sheet liner — can also be purchased on-site (only if you are staying in a dormitory)
Small first aid kit
Comped or similar
Sleeping bag (on selected tours)

Nice to have:

Walking poles
Power bank
Chocolate
Sandals for the cabins
Plastic bags to keep things dry

FAQ

What is your refund and cancellation policy?

If you cancel your tour 60 days or more before the departure date, you will lose your deposit. If you cancel your tour between 60 and 45 days before the departure date, you will lose 50 per cent of the total tour price. If you cancel your tour within 45 days of the departure date, you will lose the full amount. If you fail to turn up on the first day of your tour, Outdoor Italy may not be able to make arrangements for you to join the rest of the tour, and you will lose the full payment. If, for any reason, Outdoor Italy has to cancel your tour, you will be offered an alternative tour or a full refund.

How do I book my tour?

You can book your tour directly on the Outdoor Italy website. Choose the tour from the dropdown menu, select the date you would like to start, and the number of participants in your group. You can either pay a deposit (60 days or more from the start of your tour) or pay the full amount. Click ‘book’ and follow the instructions. Once we have confirmed your payment, you’ll receive your confirmed tour itinerary within 10 days. There may be seasonal variations in the time it takes us to arrange everything. Please note that programmes on the tour pages are only examples — there may be several differences in the final programme you receive.

How do I pay for my tour?

When booking your tour, you can choose to pay by credit/debit card or direct bank transfer. Direct bank transfers will generally take longer to process, while credit and debit card payments are processed instantly. You are, by default, asked to pay a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the tour. If you choose this option, you will be asked to pay the remaining 75% one month before your tour. Please be sure to follow the payment links you receive in your invoice or reminder email, which we will send you when the second payment is due.

Do I get my own room?

This depends on the individual tour and when you book it. When hiking in the Alps, most people stay in dorms or shared rooms as the availability of single, double and family rooms are limited. We can only guarantee your own room on certain tours such as in the Lys and Ayas Valleys — but only if you book in time. If this is your preference, we will do our best to ensure you get your own room, but please expect to spend some nights in shared accommodation if there is limited availability.

Is baggage transfer included with all your Alpine tours?

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this service with all our packages. Often, the huts or hotels we work with are in locations that can only be reached by foot or helicopter. Indeed, when choosing a tour that includes baggage transport, there may be one or two exceptions depending on the route. This will appear clearly on the tour page and in the program you receive when your booking has been confirmed.

How many days do your tours last?

All our tours include the day of arrival and the day of departure. This means that a six-day tour will include five nights of accommodation, a seven-day tour will include six nights, and so on. On the first day, guests are usually expected to arrive in the afternoon. And the program does not include any activities except for a briefing by our representative on the first evening. On the day of departure, guests are free to decide if they want to leave directly after breakfast or go on a shorter tour before their journey home.

What meals are included in your Alpine adventure tours?

Most of our tours will include Half Board (HB) services, which means breakfast, a three-course dinner, and a light-packed lunch. Please check the individual tour page for details, however, as variations occur with certain tours.

What is a self-guided tour?

We specialize in self-guided tours. These tours are designed for travelers who love the independence of hiking, skiing, or running on their own but want to know that everything else is taken care of. In some cases, we are able to offer luggage transport to lighten your load as you enjoy the Great Outdoors.

Do you offer group tours?

Whether you’re already a group of friends, business colleagues or a sports club looking for an active mountain adventure, we can design and organize your Alpine tour for you. We also offer guided group tours for individual participants on fixed dates.

Can you create a tour just for me and my friends?

Yes, absolutely! Outdoor Italy can design the perfect mountain adventure for you and your friends or colleagues. Whether you want to hike, ski, run, cycle or climb, we have the expertise and experience needed to create a bespoke package for any level of experience or physicality. Please contact us if you would like us to create a customized package for your group.

Are your outdoor adventure tours family-friendly?

There are few better ways to spend time with your children than with an active holiday in the mountains. Sharing a mountain adventure with your child is a memory that will last a lifetime. We try to design child-friendly variations (marked ‘family’) of all our Alpine tours. Children can hike, ski or bike a lot longer than you might expect, as long as you make it entertaining for them. However, they will respond instantly to the way you behave, so please consider whether you are able to create a safe environment for your children when faced with the many different challenges of an alpine environment.

Do you offer discounts for children?

Yes, we are able to offer a discount for children on most of our tours, provided they are not yet 13 years of age on the first day of the tour. Please see the individual tour page for our child discounts.

Can I travel on my own?

Many single travellers chose Outdoor Italy due to our high level of service and our expertise in self-guided mountain tours. And the safety of one of our representatives will only ever be just a phone call away. However, please expect additional costs, as our prices are based on two persons — the industry standard for outdoor tours of this nature. Private rooms and other services are often more expensive for individual travellers. You can find information about any additional costs for individual travellers on the tour page.

Will I manage?

We are all different. Some of our clients are 70+ and have lived an active lifestyle all their life. Others may be twenty years younger and have barely left their office chair. It is very difficult to judge the physical and mental ability of a person on the basis of a phone conversation. If you are in doubt, each tour is rated for level of physicality, which you can learn more about here. You are of course welcome to call us and we will do our best to advice you. Find your level of physicality here (link to Find your level page).

What if I get lost?

Our local partners know every square inch of this beautiful Alpine region. During the introductory briefing, you will receive an app, physical maps and a phone number to call if you need advice. In some cases, you’ll be able to forward your location to a local guide with the press of a button. This may prove helpful if you become lost.

Do I need travel insurance?

We recommend that you speak to your insurance provider to ensure your existing policy covers mountain-based activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Please note that any costs relating to emergency situations and the potential need for evacuation are the sole responsibility of the client.

Will I be able to cope with the physical challenge?

We are all different. Some of our clients are more than 70 years old and have lived an active lifestyle all their life. Others are twenty years younger and have barely left their office chair. It is very difficult to judge the physical and mental capabilities of a person on the basis of a phone conversation. If you are in doubt, each tour is rated for the level of physicality involved, which you can learn more about on our Find Your Level page. You are, of course, welcome to call us, and we will do our best to advise you.

Can I bring my dog?

Enjoying the mountains with your best friend can be a joyful experience, which is why we try to make our tours dog friendly wherever possible. Unfortunately, it is not always possible due to local rules. Selected tours are marked ‘Dog Friendly’ on the tour page. This means that your dog can stay with you in your private room or, in a few cases, the hut will have a separate or external room for dogs. Please refer to the individual tour page for more information.

*This tour is based on a minimum of two participants. Only the services mentioned above are included in the price. Luggage transfer is only available for two or more participants.

Lessinia

This is an example of a hike in this region of Italy. Your final itinerary may be different depending on the availability of rooms at the time of your booking.

Data:

Total distance: 33.5 km
H+: 1380 m
H-: 1260 m
Level: Easy to medium.

1

Day 1: Boscochiesanuova - Contrada Laorno

The first day of your Alpine hiking tour begins with a brief welcome meeting in Boscochiesanuova. We will talk you through what to expect during your Lessinia hiking experience, and issue you with all your official documentation, maps, and equipment.

We like to ease our way into challenging Italian walking holidays, which is why the first leg of our tour entails a relatively brief 1.5-hour uphill hike to the quaint village of Laorno. You’ll have to check out the local architecture and the village’s brewery — where you’ll get the opportunity to sample a few local beers and delicacies. You’ll then head to our accommodation for a relaxing dinner and debriefing.

  • 5 km
  • 240 m
  • 200m
  • 1.5 hours
2

Day 2: Contrada Laorno - Località Castelberto

After a breakfast of local delicacies with fresh local produce, you set out for a pleasant four-mile hike along one of Lessinia’s most picturesque walking paths. Our route takes you along the border that separates Trentino and Veneto, which is one of the region’s most historically rich areas. Along the way, you’ll have a little time to take in the breathtaking views of Monte Baldo, Lake Garda, Val d’Adige, and the imposing peaks of Trentino. We’ll continue through the pleasant pastures and meadows before arriving at Castelberto.

The eye-catching Castelburto is a reconstruction of a First World War military installation that stands amidst a series of remains and trenches created during the conflict. This is where you’ll spend the evening — surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain ranges, local wildlife, and centuries of history. This is also the perfect place to enjoy a dinner of local delicacies, fine wines, and friendly conversation.

  • 13 km
  •  700 m
  •  100 m
  •  4 hours
3

Location Castelberto - Dardo Alpine Hut

The third day of this stunning Alpine walking tour begins with a hearty breakfast of classic Italian delicacies. You then set off for an initial 30-minute walk that takes us straight to the huts of Lessinia. You’ll then be treated to a demonstration of the ancient mountain milk and cheese production processes.

After learning the finer points of Italian cheese-making, you’ll continue our Alpine hike with a short 90-minute hike to the Dardo refuge — a charming Lessinian paradise that is home to some of the finest Veneto delicacies, wines, and customs. We believe the best way to experience this wondrous place is at your leisure, surrounded by the smells, sights, and sounds of the area and its stunning mountainous backdrop. Spend the evening sampling some of Italy’s most famous delicacies, including a range of risotto dishes, ricotta and spinach dumplings, gnocchi, and lasagne. And wash it all down with a glass or three of the region’s most wonderful, locally produced wines.

  • 7.5 km
  •  90 m
  • 400 m
  • 2 hours
4

Day 4: Dardo Alpine Hut - Ongar Small Village

The last full day of hiking in the Alps begins with another tasty and satisfying breakfast. You then set out on the famous E5 path, which takes us through rich forestland and a series of pastures. Connecting Venice to Brittany, this world-famous walking trail delivers another selection of breathtaking vistas, so don’t forget your camera.

After a leisurely three-hour Alpine walk, you arrive at a picturesque settlement that dates back to the 1700s. While the surroundings are ancient and rich in local history, the facilities within them are modern and well-appointed. Spend the rest of the day as you wish. Take a dip in the swimming pool or enjoy a well-earned pampering session in the spa. Your day ends with another decadent dinner in the Lenci Tre pizzeria restaurant and a final night in this beautiful region of Italy.

  • 7.5 km
  •  350 m
  • 560 m
  •  3 hours
5

Day 5: Ongar Village - Bosco Chiesanuova

It’s time to say farewell to us, new friends, and this spectacular region of the pre-Alps. But before you depart, another bounteous breakfast awaits. A short and picturesque stroll of around 500 meters then takes you to the pretty village of Bosco Chiesanuova.

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