Exploring Monte Baldo and Naole for Parks Week in Verona

An excursion with guided tour of the Monte Baldo natural oasis. A golden opportunity to explore the mountain most beloved by Veronese residents, rich in geological, faunal, and botanical discoveries. Additionally, visitors can access the Naole Environmental Education Center.

This is the activity proposed by Legambiente on Sunday for the European week dedicated to parks and protected areas. Today marks a historic date: May 24, 1929, when the first European Park was established in Sweden. This has inspired the celebration of this anniversary across Europe, from May 19 to 27.

The meeting point is on Sunday at 9 a.m. at Two Pozze, above Prada, where a guide will introduce the day; then the departure for a three-hour hike. Lunch featuring organic products will be served at the Naole Environmental Education Center, managed by Legambiente.

In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the Naole valley; return is expected around 6 p.m. Participants can register until Saturday morning by calling Legambiente at 045.800.9686.

Organization and Potential of Ecotourism

This is the only activity organized within the Province of Verona for the parks week. “There is a bit of regret,” explains Michele Bertucco, president of Legambiente, “because no institution has sponsored or even coordinated activities for this event.”

The full potential of ecotourism to develop the economy of the Baldo and Lessinia regions, where a regional park is located, is still not fully recognized.

Educational Activities and Student Stays

At the Naole center, located at 1600 meters on the Baldo ridge, Legambiente has been running educational activities centered on nature for five years. “These range from week-long programs for students,” explains Stefania Leoni, activity coordinator, “where children leave their classrooms for a few days to engage in outdoor science lessons, to ten-day summer camps for teenagers.”

During these green weeks, excursions, group work with specialized animators, manual activities such as making puppets and musical instruments from recycled materials, and explorations in search of flowers, plants, and animals are organized. Participants take a leading role, directly managing the house — starting with baking bread in a wood-fired oven.

The diet is 85 percent organic, supplemented by local stores such as San Zeno, Lumini, and Caprino.

Camp Schedule and Summer Offers

The schedule for stays is as follows: June 26 – July 6 for children aged 8 to 10; July 8 – 18 for ages 11 to 13; July 20 – 30 for ages 8 to 10; August 1 – 11 for teens aged 14 to 17.

Legambiente also organizes a summer stay for families at Casa Natura in Travesa, within the Casentino Forests Natural Park in Forlì, featuring forest excursions, creek swimming, visits to artisan workshops, and the Ridraccioli dam.