Cerro Veronese
Cerro Veronese is one of the municipalities marking the entrance to the Lessinia plateau, just above Verona, in a transitional ter...
Updated 12 July 2026
The story
The story of Cerro Veronese
The oak tree that gave the village its name
In the church square, at the heart of Cerro Veronese, the historic oak tree that gave the village its name still stands today. It is a monumental tree that over time has become a symbol of identity for the community, a visual and social landmark around which life in the small centre revolves. Seeing it requires no organised visit: simply walking through the main square brings visitors face to face with a natural feature that tells, better than many inscriptions, the deep bond between the village and the surrounding woods, a relationship that characterises all of Lessinia and finds a concrete symbol here in Cerro.
The Cimbri legacy and timber working
Cerro Veronese's territory still bears the marks of the medieval Cimbri settlement, a population of Bavarian origin whose name, Tzimbar, literally means woodcutters. It was the Cimbri who cleared much of the Lessinia plateau's woods to create pastures, and who developed timber-working techniques that included charcoal production. This cultural legacy, shared by several Lessinia villages, is still reflected in local place names and in some timber-related craft traditions that survive, albeit on a smaller scale, among the area's small workshops. It is a little-publicised but genuine intangible heritage, an integral part of Cerro's identity.
Malghe, pastures and Monte Veronese cheese
The Lessinia plateau around Cerro Veronese is dotted with malghe where herds graze in summer and cheese continues to be made using traditional techniques, including Monte Veronese, the area's flagship product, alongside fresh and smoked ricotta. Some malghe also operate as seasonal eateries, serving simple dishes based on dairy products and local cured meats, set against a landscape of great scenic value. Visiting a malga in Lessinia means getting close to a still-living high-altitude rural economy, one that continues to produce according to the rhythm of the seasons rather than tourist demand, while still benefiting from growing interest in mountain food-and-wine tourism.
The view from Monte della Croce
A short distance from the centre of Cerro Veronese, reachable on foot with a modest walk, stands the Chapel of the Redeemer, known locally as Monte della Croce, which offers a 360-degree panorama over Lessinia on one side and the Po plain on the other. It is one of the most accessible viewpoints in the area, suitable for families and those with limited time, and on the clearest days the view can stretch as far as the Alps. This vantage point neatly sums up Cerro Veronese's hinge position, suspended between the mountain world of the plateau and the Venetian plain below.
Hiking and outdoor sports
Cerro Veronese is a convenient base for hiking and outdoor sports in Lessinia, thanks to the many trails branching out from the village toward the surrounding pastures and woods. The still largely unspoilt territory suits both short family walks and more demanding routes toward the central plateau, with connections to other Lessinia municipalities such as Bosco Chiesanuova. In winter, when conditions allow, some areas are suited to simple snowshoe outings, while in the warmer months mountain biking and trekking are the most popular activities, set in a lightly built-up natural environment with clean air just a short distance from Verona.
Experiences not to miss
- See the historic oak tree in the church square that gave the village its name
- Climb to the Chapel of the Redeemer (Monte della Croce) for a 360-degree view
- Visit a malga and taste Monte Veronese cheese
- Discover the Cimbri legacy and the tradition of timber working
- Follow the trails toward the central Lessinia plateau
To see
What to see in Cerro Veronese
Routes · Trovido Route
Routes in Cerro Veronese
Jobs · JobFlow
