Lessinia is populated by hundreds of floral varieties and fruits of the undergrowth: hundreds of different wild orchids, cyclamen, snowdrops, primroses, violets, gentians, lilies, peonies and saffron. Mushrooms such as porcini and ovoli, chiodini and parasol.
But the typicality of this environment is also characterised by the numerous animal species present: wolf, chamois, roe deer, deer, hare, marmot, fox, and also the birds such as eagle, eagle owl, tawny owl, owl, woodpecker, grouse, pheasant, rock partridge and the snow bunting.
Come with us to discover and observe the multiple variety of this environment, accompanied by the Park guards and the Forestry Carabinieri experts.
The Forest of Folignani, located in the central-western part of Lessinia, and the Forest of Giazza, in the easternmost part, are two of the largest and most distinctive woods in Lessinia and are some of the best-loved when it comes to discovering the region's wildlife.
The Forest of Folignani, between the municipalities of Bosco Chiesanuova and Erbezzo, covers the slopes of the Vajo dell'Anguilla and is the area that has best preserved its natural features.
The Forest of Giazza, meanwhile, is the largest forest in the whole of Lessinia and is the result of reforestation carried out at the beginning of the 20th century, with the forest officially inaugurated on 10 August 1911. It is located in the northeastern tip of the province of Verona within the Lessinia Regional Natural Park and covers an area of around 4,705 acres, straddling the provinces of Verona (in the municipality of Selva di Progno), Trento and Vicenza.
Both are mainly characterised by large beech, silver fir and hop-hornbeam trees and are rich in biodiversity, with various animal and plant species, so much so that they are classified as Special Nature Reserves of the park and fall within the Special Area of Conservation IT 3210040 'Monti Lessini – Pasubio – Piccole Dolomiti Vicentine'.
While you're out hiking in the Lessinia Regional Natural Park, look around you! Your attention will no doubt be drawn to one of the monumental trees. It is the size, height, circumference and age of these trees, as well as other cultural aspects, that define them as 'monumental' and make them true symbols of the region. Fun fact: the most common type is beech.
In the photo: the centuries-old beech trees of Malga Belfiore di Cima – Bosco Chiesanuova.
Photo by Luca Giavoni
