Abruzzo National Park: prices, activities and useful information

Il Abruzzo national park it is probably the best-known protected natural area in Italy, a true treasure chest of biodiversity where you can experience a different holiday than usual. Whether it’s a single weekend of excursions or much longer stays, in this large area of ​​Central Italy it will be possible to discover uncontaminated nature, admire rare animals and discover a tradition of protection that has its roots in distant centuries.

This park is known throughout the country mainly for two of its inhabitants, thebear and the lupobut there is much more to discover. Of course, when it comes to ecotourismto do this you must always have the utmost respect for the places you are going to visit, avoiding disturbing the local fauna and ruining the vegetation, perhaps damaging rare plants or abandoning waste. Below is some useful information.

What is the Abruzzo National Park

The Abruzzo National Park – more properly known as National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise (PNALM) – is a vast protected natural area in Central Italy. It is one of the oldest parks in the country since, thanks to its geographical conformation and its position, it has preserved practically uncontaminated areas for centuries.

In any case, its official institution dates back to 1923 by decision of the then King Vittorio Emanuele III. The name change instead took place in 2001, since the park originally covered larger areas than the single Abruzzo.

As already mentioned several times, the Abruzzo National Park is one of the most famous in Italy. This is because, over the last decades, the structure has become an international point of reference for the protection of some endangered species, such as the wolf and the Marsican bear.

Furthermore, this beautiful natural lung has often also been the protagonist of various environmental campaignsso much so that it is claimed that the park itself has contributed to making Italians more aware of environmental issues.

How large is the Abruzzo national park

The Abruzzo National Park extends over an area of ​​well 49,680 hectares of protected territory (less than the Pollino National Park, which remains the largest in Italy), a green area that extends over three regions: Abruzzo itself, Lazio and Molise.

In particular, three provinces are involved, that of The Eaglethe most extensive and those of Frosinone e di Isernia. There are numerous characteristic villages that arise within the park, where environmentally friendly agriculture and livestock farming practices are still followed, following ancient traditions.

Among the best known are Gioia dei Marsi, Lecce dei Marsi, Villavallelonga, Pescasseroli, Barrea, Picinisco, Settefrati, San Donato Val di Comino, San Vincenzo al Volturno, Pizzone, Castelnuovo and Rocchetta.

Territorial characteristics of the Abruzzo National Park

The Abruzzo Park develops mainly on mountainous and hilly areas, close to theAbruzzo Apennines. It extends from the Alto Sangro basin and is surrounded by the namesakes Marsican mountainsuntil reaching the Maiella and the Gizio and Tasso-Sagittarius valleys.

The territory of the Park is truly particular, because it tells the story of the entire Peninsula. Since ancient times it has in fact been involved in phenomena of glacialismo e di karstespecially on the highest peaks, which have therefore determined a singular mountainous configuration.

In addition to moraine deposits, numerous valleys, caves and sinkholes were formed, as well as many underground courses where torrents, streams and actual rivers still flow today.

Precisely for this reason, a large part of the water resources of the Abruzzo National Park form resurgences sudden, i.e. when water flows from the ground, but also natural basins of various sizes. There is no shortage of spectacular waterfalls, which can be admired from the base of the numerous valleys.

Among the most important waterways is the Sangro riverwhich then contributes to the water flowing into the Melfa, the Volturno and many other rivers. In terms of the most famous Apennine reliefs, the following are listed Mount Marsicanothe Montagna Grande, the Meta mountains and Monte Greco.

Fauna and flora of the Abruzzo National Park

Given its singular location and its formation mainly of karst origin, the Abruzzo National Park can host a great variety of fauna and flora, in some ways unique in the entire territory of the country.

Animals

There are many animal species that animate the pristine habitat of the Abruzzo National Park, in particular the aforementioned wolves and bears, also present in the Stelvio National Park. In the first case, herds have now definitively established themselves within this green area Apennine wolfespecially in the more wooded areas.

Very similar evolution also forMarsican brown beara true protagonist of Italian biodiversity.

Many other animals follow, such as the Abruzzo chamois, the lynx, deer and roe deer, wild cats, marmot and other small mammals. The spread of birds is enormous, including the golden eagle, the eagle owlthe white-backed woodpecker, the common raven and the gray heron. There is no shortage of reptiles and amphibians, such as the Orsini viper, as well as aquatic species such as the brown trout.

Vegetables

From the point of view of flora, this park is best known for its abundant presence of beech treeswhich find here the best conditions for fast and luxuriant growth. But there are also black pines, birches,Apennine mapleash trees, laburnums and many more.

Instead they are more than 40 floral species spontaneously growing present in the park, including the Venus slippers, the Marsica iris, the ghost orchid, the violets, the snowdrops, the dryad and the butterwort of Villetta Barrea.

Activities and prices of the Abruzzo National Park

But which ones activity can they be carried out within the Abruzzo National Park and, above all, what are the prices and fees for visiting it?

School and guided visits

As usual for all national parks in Italy, the one in Abruzzo also organizes guided toursboth for small and medium groups of adults and for entire groups school groups. There are many activities that can be carried out with the help of a guide:

• Routes immersed in natureto learn to recognize typical plant species of the area;
• Observation of animals in their natural habitats and birdwatching initiatives;
• Visits to botanical gardens and environmental museums;
• Walking excursions to discover both the wooded areas and the small waterways that often characterize the mountainous profiles of the Park.

Trekking e sport

There is no lack of the opportunity to throw yourself into some sporting activitiesto be experienced 100% immersed in nature. Among these, the following are listed:

• Walks and trekking routes of varying difficulty;
• Horseback riding;
• Bicycle and mountain bike routes;
• Canoe on the most important waterways;
• Cross-country skiing during the winter

Food and wine

The extension of the Abruzzo National Park includes several municipalities in Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise. Small villages that keep the ancient local traditionsrelating to the environment with extreme respect and great protection.

Precisely because of the variety of these villages and the ancient cultures they keep alive, it is possible to take advantage of food and wine toursto discover local specialties. In particular, great importance is given to the dairy sector, as well as to the market of typical products.

Many of the visits to these places of excellence for local food and wine can be organised, with the possibility of also taking advantage of a coach service on panoramic itineraries.

Training

The Abruzzo National Park also takes care of trainingwell in addition to the guided tours organized for school groups. In fact, the following are organized cyclically:

• Ecological fieldsintended both for very young people during the holiday period and for scholars of all ages, to work directly in the field;
• Exhibitions and artistic eventsto discover the beauty of the Park from a different perspective and learn that indissoluble relationship that often links art to nature;
• Seminarsoften dedicated to the protection of the territory, the protection of plant species at risk or the conservation of animal species that are most likely to risk extinction;
• Volunteer campsdesigned for young and old, to learn directly on site how to protect nature;
• Study and researchsince the Abruzzo National Park collaborates with various universities and often hosts groups of experts, eager to study not only the animal and plant species of the area, but also the geological phenomena that guaranteed its formation.

Prices

L’Access to the Park is freeHowever, you should know that many internal roads do not allow the use of cars or motorcycles. It will therefore be necessary to follow these routes on foot or by equipping yourself with a resistant bicycle. Some events organized in the area, especially if private, may require entrance tickets.