Whether if it is just for a weekend or for your next summer holiday, if you are planning to discover Italy’s natural heritage here’s some of the most beautiful national parks you can visit:
Gran Paradiso National Park
This is where Italy’s first national park was established, in 1922. A true natural paradise nestled between the Aosta Valley, Piedmont and France. A place to visit at least once in your lifetime if you love the mountains and their diverse landscapes: streams and glaciers, larch forests and rocky outcrops. A place where human presence is minimal (only 300 people live within its boundaries) and ibex roam free.
Stelvio National Park
Impervious peaks and vast glaciers stretch out across this beautiful high-altitude national park, on the border between Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige. 1,500 km of trails take you on a journey through history, along military mule tracks and past trenches that bear witness to the events of the First World War. In addition, Stelvio National Park is the largest in Italy and has a truly unique biodiversity. Over 260 animal species live here, including the golden eagle, red deer and ibex.
Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park
The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is situated in the very heart of the Apennines and is one of the largest nature reserves in Italy: stretching across Abruzzo, Lazio and Marche, it offers unspoilt nature where ancient wildlife reigns, dominated by the Apennine wolves and the Marsican brown bears. If you enjoy walking, you can venture through low-lying woods, clearings and rocky paths. On the other hand, if you’d prefer to hear stories and learn about local traditions, you can choose from the villages within the park’s boundaries, with their hermitages and monasteries, craft workshops and authentic, delicious food and wine.
La Maddalena Archipelago National Park
Located within the stretch of sea known as the Strait of Bonifacio, between Sardinia and Corsica, this geomarine national park is home to some of the Mediterranean’s most famous beaches, such as the pink sands of Budelli and the snow-white Bassa Trinita on the lLa Maddalena island. The park area is strictly protected; visits, diving and mooring require special permits.
Sila National Park
It is one of Calabria’s three national parks and the oldest of the three. It stretches across the provinces of Cosenza, Crotone and Catanzaro. It is a wild and unique area characterised by a great diversity of landscapes. Lakes, mountains and woods await you for an unforgettable experience, whether by bike or on horseback.
These were just a few of the many nature reserves spread all over Italy. However, if after visiting one of these parks you fall in love with our Country, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will assist you in relocating here, in the “Bel Paese”.
