Ferrara Di Monte Baldo: Nature, Trails and History

Ferrara di Monte Baldo offers a range of ways to enjoy a stay: the landscape of Monte Baldo, botanical attractions, hiking trails and traces of local history. Astronomy is another part of the picture. When planning your visit, you can focus on whichever of these aspects you would like to explore further.

Landscape, plants and forest therapy

In the municipality of Ferrara di Monte Baldo, the Oasi del Monte Baldo covers all the land above 1,200 metres and extends over 3,800 hectares. The Orto Botanico di Novezzina offers a closer look at the local plant life: it lies on the eastern slope of the massif at an altitude of 1,235 metres and covers 20,000 square metres. Visits are possible only by reservation, on dates to be arranged, and for groups of at least ten people. If you plan to visit the garden, arrange the date and reservation in advance.

The Bosco di Monte Cor offers a different focus. It was the first forest in Veneto to receive forest therapy certification. Its main trail is easy and mostly flat; optionally, you can extend it into a circular route to viewpoints offering spectacular views across the Val d’Adige. The main trail and its possible extension therefore offer two different ways to experience the forest.

Hiking trails with different destinations

Route F1 starts at Piazza Generale A. Cantore in Ferrara di Monte Baldo and leads to Contrada Mezzavilla and the historic settlement of Campedello. In Baldo Val d’Adige’s mountain biking offer, F1 is listed as the “Ferrara di M.B. / Mezzavilla / Campedello” route. The route name therefore connects these places with a mountain biking option as well.

F2 has a different focus: this circular route passes through the centre of Hortus Europe, introducing visitors to botanical rarities and offering insights into life on the mountain pastures and their characteristic architecture. F3 focuses on a specific route: it starts at Piazza General Cantore, follows CAI trail 674 and continues to Malga Orsa. The destinations described therefore differ: botanical and alpine topics on F2, and a named trail leading to Malga Orsa on F3.

For a connection to the history of the First World War, F4 leads from Novezza to the first line of trenches at Cavallo di Novezza. Before setting out on F1, F3 or F4, check the trail conditions. The routes have different destinations and themes, so consider whether botanical features, a route to a mountain dairy or traces of the First World War matter most to you.

Astronomy and local history

The Osservatorio Astronomico Monte Baldo “Angelo Gelodi” is located in Località Novezzina, 37020 Ferrara di Monte Baldo. It belongs to the municipality and is run by the Circolo Astrofili Veronesi; it is also the only public observatory in the Province of Verona. Public evenings usually begin with a short astronomy talk, followed by a visit to the rooms and instruments. In suitable weather, visitors can also identify the main constellations and make observations with telescopes. Stargazing is therefore a weather-dependent option during the evening.

The Museo della Biodiversità in Novezzina is dedicated to Francesco Calzolari, a Veronese pharmacist and botanist of the 16th century. It explores the geological history of Monte Baldo through rocks and fossils. These include Harpactocarcinus punctullatus, a fossil from the Eocene sediments of Ferrara di Monte Baldo. A visit to the museum thus connects a historical figure with the geology of the region.

The parish church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria can also be placed in historical context: its present form dates from 1870 to 1888. It was first mentioned in 1218, in a papal bull, as a chapel subordinate to the Pieve of Caprino. Further traces of the First World War can be found in the area of Ferrara di Monte Baldo, through which the front once ran. Numerous trenches and fortifications are still visible; the named sites include the Sentiero di Caval di Novezza.

Discover more destinations: Castello, Marano Di Valpolicella, Martella, Rosta, Borghetto, Pesina Spezie, Braga, San Zeno Di Montagna

For the broader travel overview: Verona.