Parks and nature reserves Piedmont

The Alpi Maritime Nature Park is the largest protected natural area in Piedmont. It was created in 1980, and its peripheral and southern position in the Alpine chain, the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea and the presence of great mountain barriers allow the development of a flora particularly rich and characteristic. In addition, the park is rather rich from a wildlife point of view and includes many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.

The most famous park in Biella, created by Giovanni Piacenza in 1848 and since then annually embellished and enriched with new varieties of flowers and plants.

Isola dei Pescatori is the third island among the Borromean Island inhabited all year round though unlike the other two it no longer belongs to the Borromeo family. It’s commonly known for its traditional fishing practice.

This is the largest island of the three borromean islands and is occupied by a number of architectural structures and its famously known for its gardens. The island has a magical atmosphere with immense garden of exotic and rare trees where pheasants and peacocks wander.

This is a natural treasure made even better through human intervention and provides its visitors unparalleled view of Lake Maggiore. Dominated by its sumptuous baroque palace together with luxuriant Italian-style garden makes the island stands out as one of the tourist favorite destination. The gardens are stretched out on ten terraces and open to its visitors including the splendidly furnished rooms and magnificent salons embroidered with priceless artworks.

Extended on the southern slope of the Susa Valley at an altitude ranging from 1,000 to 2,600 meters, the Park includes the areas of Chiomonte, Exilles, Oulx, Salbertrand and Sauze d'Oulx. Its purpose is to protect 700 hectares of mixed wood of white fir and spruce, unique in Piedmont. In the past, these forests have been exploited to obtain large beams used in civil and military engineering works, such as the Arsenal of Turin, the Basilica of Superga and the Venaria Reale. In addition, the wide variety of environments provides an ideal habitat for many animals: from birds of prey to mammals such as wild boar, deer and suede. Wolves have also returned in the park, frequent sightings since 1997.

The Orsiera Rocciavrè Natural Park covers over 11,000 hectares over a large mountainous area that includes part of the upper Val Sangone and part of the ridge that separates the Susa Valley from Val Chisone, beyond to the special nature reserves of the horrids of Foresto and Chianocco. The landscape is characterized by numerous glacial lakes, slopes and ravines carved by water. In the Park it is possible to observe mammals typical of the Alpine habitat, such as chamois, deer and roe deer. Bird lovers will certainly not be disappointed by a visit: there are more than a hundred species. But the Orsiera Park does not only offer wildlife and beautiful landscapes: there are also numerous archaeological traces of the human presence dating back to the Neolithic period. Unlike many other mountain areas in Piedmont, much of this area has remained off the beaten path of mass tourism and still has an almost unspoiled natural habitat, where activity of man is limited to agriculture, forestry and livestock breeding.

Nestled among the morainic hills and the mouth of the Valle di Susa, it is characterized by three biotypes: the two lakes (Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo), the hills formed during the last ice ages and the swamp of Mareschi. The lakes, where numerous species of fish live, are a favorite destination for birdwatchers. Self-guided activities or along the trails along the trails are supported by an information center, a fishing ecomuseum, maps also available at the Tourist Information Center (+39) 0119311873 - ufficioiat@turismoavigliana.it). Don't forget: Lake Grande is an ideal destination for practicing numerous water sports, such as canoeing, sailing, water skiing. During the summer it is possible to choose one of these activities or simply swim in its clear waters by accessing from one of the beaches indicated on the maps.

The Bellinzago Oasis is a protected area that expands for about seven hectares. It is currently managed by WWF Italia. There you can admire a wide variety of animal species, among which we can distinguish birds, amphibians and ducks. The area is not open to the public, it is visited only for research purposes.

Much of the protected area consists of oak forests and flours that cover morainic reliefs between 230 and 330 meters above sea level. Inside there are a series of water mirrors, ponds and peat bogs. Lush and varied aquatic and marsh flora as well as birdlife, with more than one hundred species of birds, among nesting, wintering and passing.

The Oasis Forteto della Luja was established by the Scaglione family. The cellar, initially built for the production of wine, gradually began to deal with the production and cultivation of plants. Currently the owner, Giancarlo Scaglione, oenologist and biologist, together with the two children, deals with the administration of the cellar. This family produces wines without chemicals.