Ponte di Veja

The Ponte di Veja is a natural rock arch in the Lessini mountains above Valpolicella, and one of the largest in Europe.

It is the surviving roof of a collapsed cave: the limestone here is karstic, water hollowed out a large chamber, most of the ceiling fell in, and what did not fell became a bridge spanning the valley.

Caves in and around the arch were occupied in the Palaeolithic, and the site has been excavated repeatedly. It is a short walk from the road, and it costs nothing.

This is a protected site in a regional park. Keep to the marked path -- the slopes either side erode quickly and the damage from shortcuts is visible.

Do not climb on the arch or scramble into the caves. They are unstable, they are archaeological sites, and rockfall is a real hazard beneath the span.

Do not collect fossils or stone. The Lessinia's fossil beds are protected and internationally significant.

Take litter out with you; the site has minimal facilities and a heavy weekend load in summer.

Parking is limited and the approach roads are narrow. Arriving early avoids both the crowding and the awkward passing on the way up.

The site is free and open at all times, in the Lessinia regional park.

It is reached by road from Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo or up from the Valpolicella valleys -- around forty-five minutes by car from Verona, on narrow mountain roads. There is a car park nearby and a bar in season.

From the parking, a marked path takes around ten to fifteen minutes down to the arch. The return is uphill.

Allow an hour to an hour and a half including the walk.

The path is rough, stony and steep in places and is not accessible to wheelchairs or suitable for pushchairs. Proper footwear matters; the limestone is slippery when wet.