13 Forests to Explore in Abruzzo

The Central Apennines are characterized by a rich diversity of ecosystems and wildlife. Among the most important habitats are its beech woods, open hillsides and alpine grasslands. The Apennines is the second main mountain range of Italy and stretches for hundreds of kilometers from the north to the south along the Country’s main axis. These mountains are one of the last refuges of the big European predators such as the Italian wolf and the marsican brown bear, now extinct in the rest of Centra

The Bosco di Sant'Antonio nature reserve is a protected natural area located in the municipality of Pescocostanzo, in the province of L'Aquila. It was established in 1986 and since 1992 is part of the Majella National Park and stretches for 550 ha between the ridges of Monte Pizzalto and Monte Rotella. Immersed in numerous centuries-old beech trees, it houses the hermitage of Sant'Antonio. Due to its characteristics, it is an ideal place for horse riding, hiking and cross-country skiing.

The waterfall of Zompo lo Schioppo represents the highest natural waterfall in the central Apennines after that of the Rio Verde di Borrello; in fact, the waters precipitate from a height of over 80 meters and then flow downstream towards the town of Morino. The flow rate of the waterfall, originating from karst phenomena, depends on the amount of rainfall that occurs during the year.

The Majella National Park is an important biodiversity refuge. The area is characterized by a layered cultural and spiritual heritage shaped by millennia of human-environment interaction. It includes wide lands with particular wilderness aspects, the rarest and most precious part of the biodiversity national heritage. The 740.95 km2 area, especially the Montagna della Majella, has been subject to a major international geoscientific research Project.

The Gran Sasso National Park and Monti of the Laga, established in 1991, is one of the largest in Italy. It extends over the majority in Abruzzo and to a lesser extent in the adjacent areas of Lazio. The park contains three mountain ranges – the chain of the Gran Sasso of Italy, the massif of Laga, the Mountains Gemelli – and is characterized by the presence of the highest peak of the Corno Grande, which reaches 2912 meters.

The special nature reserve of the Caves of Pietrasecca is a protected natural area located in Pietrasecca, a hamlet of the municipality of Carsoli, in the province of L'Aquila. The reserve was established in 1992. The caves are included among the sites of community interest in Abruzzo. The protected area which has an extension of about 110 hectares is located in the municipality of Carsoli in the Cavaliere plain.

The guided nature reserve Punta Aderci is a protected natural area located in the municipality of Vasto, in the province of Chieti. It occupies an area of ​​285 hectares and was established in 1998. It extends along the Adriatic coast north of the port of Vasto, up to the mouth of the Sinello river , where it is possible to meet the only deciduous forest in the reserve.

Riserva Naturale Regionale Grotte di Luppa is a protected natural area located in the municipality of Sante Marie, in the province of L'Aquila. The reserve occupies approximately 435 hectares and was established in 2005. The reserve takes its name from the Luppa valley, a locality located on the border of the Marsican municipalities of Sante Marie and Carsoli.

The Montagne Della Duchessa regional nature reserve is a protected natural area located in the mountainous territory of the Montagne Della Duchessa, entirely included in the territory of the municipality of Borgorose, in Cicolano, in the province of Rieti. Established with Regional Law 70/90 and extended for about 3500 hectares, it is part of the system of Protected Areas of the Lazio Region, with the eastern and southern border which coincides with the regional border of the neighboring regionA

The guided nature reserve Monte Genzana and Alto Gizio is a protected natural area located in the municipality of Pettorano sul Gizio , in the province of L'Aquila, and was established in 1996. It includes an area of ​​about 3,160 hectares it is possible to observe the mountains of the Abruzzo National Park to the west and the Majella to the east, the underlying Lake Scanno to the west, and the Cinquemiglia plateau to the south. The park acts as a buffer between the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise N

The Montedimezzo Nature Reserve is a state nature reserve located in Molise, in the province of Isernia, and comprising about 300 hectares of the municipality of Vastogirardi. It is currently a reserve of international relevance, part of the UNESCO "Man and Biosphere" program. It is located in the heart of the Molise Apennines , and occupies the northern and western slopes of Mount La Penna, towards the watershed of the Vandra torrent, a minor tributary of the Volturno.

Sirente-Velino Regional Park, among the largest and most important parks in Italy, is the one and only regional park in Abruzzi. It is an enchanting natural setting alternating gentle and relaxing landscapes with steep rocky walls and an ideal habitat for the most interesting flora and fauna living in Central Italy. It is a great example of history since its towns preserve temples, castles, towers, and medieval evidence surrounded by extraordinary natural features.

The integral nature reserve of Camosciara, commonly known as Camosciara, is a protected natural area located in the municipalities of Civitella Alfedena , Opi and Pescasseroli, in the province of L'Aquila, which represents the original and central nucleus of the national park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise. The crown of mountains surrounding the integral nature reserve is made up of limestone rocks and dolomites that give it a dolomitic appearance