Even I, writing this article, can hardly believe it, but I can assure you one thing: the village of Crero (207 m), a small fraction of Torri del Benaco (VR), is literally a wonderful jewel that recalls the beautiful cobbled towns of Provence , full view towards the blue.
What to do and see in a day trip of Crero.
Visit the village.
The Crero area is small, but it’s really worth going into its alleys to see finely restored stone houses, disused cottages embraced by ivy, flowery terraces, hidden gardens, ancient stairs, barns and glimpses that look like paintings.
Here everything revolves around the suggestive little square where, returning to Provence, the only thing that seems to be missing are the elderly who play pétanque (for those who don’t know it, it is a specialty of the sport of bowls).
The only refreshment, -and what a refreshment!-, is a beautiful restaurant with a super panoramic terrace called Trattoria Panoramico. It seems to be in a postcard, simply a show!
Church of San Siro.
The small church of San Siro was built by Francesco Consolini in 1713, as stated in papers of the time and on the door jamb: F. C. F. F. 1713 P. S. D.; but it was consecrated six years later by the archpriest of Garda.
At the time he had a chaplain who looked after the inhabitants of the nearby district of Crer, which appears to have been populated for a very long time by people coming from the above San Zeno di Montagna.
The rustic bell tower was erected in 1880 by the district of Crer together with the neighboring ones (Cavrie, La Pozza and S. Felice).
The church and the district come alive on December 9, the feast of San Siro.
Pietra Grande (big Stone).
In this area of Monte Baldo (also including many paths in Brenzone sul Garda) you can observe some liscioni, i.e. rocks smoothed on the surface by the action of glaciations in the Quaternary, which over the centuries have been used as real “slates” to open sky.
And it is precisely on one of these, called the “Roccia Grande” (because it is the largest engraved rock on Lake Garda), that we find graffiti from various eras: mostly dating back to prehistoric times with traces of engravings by alphabetic letters, human and animal figures.
The authors of the rock art were probably hunters and shepherds who passed through these areas.
The incisions were made with the hammering method, beating the rock with a harder stone, such as serpentine or quartzite.
To reach it, just follow the “graffiti path – Prandine – Torri”, well indicated in the small square of Crero.
Important tip: the engravings are best viewed in oblique morning light; if the rock is wet, they are even more evident.
If you follow the entire path you will also be able to admire two other rock engravings: the “Pietra delle Griselle” and the “Pietra dei Cavalieri”.
Short trek to the Tibetan bridge of Val Vanzana.
Also from our magical little square in Crero, the path starts that will take you across the Tibetan Bridge of Val Vanzana, connecting the village with the nearby Pai di Sopra (another fraction of Torri del Benaco and another wonderful jewel to visit).
The “senter de mes” (which in the local dialect means middle path), this is the name of the section of the route we are describing here, takes you through the cool woods: you will find benches and tables for packed meals and further on also a artistic wooden bivouac with a small sculpture. Inevitable many breathtaking views of the lake.
In about 20-25 minutes (with short ups and downs) you get to the bridge. The route is not suitable for pushchairs (not even for trekking, as the last stretch is paved with large stones).
The Tibetan Bridge was built in 2019, is 34.7 metres long, located at an altitude of 42 meters from the stream below.
It is equipped with a non-slip walkway (which makes it more usable than traditional Tibetan bridges) and can carry up to 15 people at a time.
Crossing it, if you want to continue the path, in another 20-25 minutes you will arrive at Pai di Sopra.
How to get there and where to park in Crero.
Crero can be reached from the SR 249 road (the Veronese stretch that runs along the eastern shore of the lake): if you are coming from the south, after the town of Torri del Benaco you will find the “Crero” sign on the right with the road going up; if you are coming from the north, after the hamlet of Pai di Sotto, you will find the sign on your left (be careful as you take the road as there is a sharp bend).
Go up a few hairpin bends until you reach the small village: there are two convenient car parks (one further down and after a bend you will find the other – both for a fee) and if you are lucky, 3 free parking spaces with white lines.
Dear Outdoors, for you our enthusiasm and all the happiness of sharing the lesser-known beauties of our beautiful Lake Garda. Have a nice trip!
Silvia Turazza – Garda Outdoors editorial team
