Our Top Six Italian National Parks
There are 24 beautiful national parks located throughout the country for visitors to discover and many of them can be reached from a nearby city. Jump into an outdoor adventure rich in culture, gastronomy and artisanship, see old borgoes, towers, castles and churches along the way. Here are six of our favourites:
1. Pollino National Park - Calabrian and Basilicatan border
Pollino National Park was established in 1992 to protect its emblem, the Bosnian Pine (pinus heldrecichii) and is the largest protected area in Italy. In this park, some of the highest peaks in the southern Appennines stretch to over 2200 meters. At its western edge, you will find beautiful Maratea, Praia a Mare and Belvedere Marittimo whilst to the east, on the Ionian coast you have Sibari and Metaponto.
There are marked footpaths and lovely hiking opportunities on a range of terrain, choose from historic routes that take you through villages to challenging summits. From its steep wooded river-valleys to high bare hilltops, Pollino is a haven to wildlife, including golden eagles and you may even catch a glimpse of a wolf!
2. Maddalena Archipelago National Park - Sardinia
La Maddalena Archipelago National Park is a geomarine protected area consisting of a cluster of seven main islands and other smaller ones located off the north-east of the coast of Gallura, Sardinia.
Established in 1996, the reserve protects these islands in the stretch of sea between Sardinia and Corsica known as Bocche di Bonifaci. The area is an important natural habitat, and although national park status has imposed protection, the ecosystem remains fragile.
The scenery is spectacular, the islands are characterised by rugged coast and deserted beaches as most of the islands are either entirely deserted or scattered with small settlements with the exception of La Maddalena which is inhabited.
3. Aspromonte National Park - Calabria
Wild and untouched Aspromonte National Park takes its name from the Aspromonte Massif and can be found in the southern part of the Calabrian Apennines. It is characterised by impressive animal and plant biodiversity; nature is king in Aspromonte. The park is home to wolves, peregrines, eagle owls and goshawks. This rich and fertile mountainous woodland has even had rare bonelli eagles.
The park territory's mountain peaks can reach 2,000 meters high and are deeply marked by a number of watercourses. The small villages in the park area are also home to historical, artistic and archaeological treasures.
4. Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park - Abruzzi, Lazio and Molise
Abruzzo is home to around 40 brown marisican bears and is the second oldest national park in Italy, founded in 1922. Other species, such as golden eagles, apennine wolves, deer, otter and chamois inhabit the park finding safe haven in the remote valleys and inaccessible mountain terrain that characterise the park.
Located in the heart of the central Apennines between the Abruzzi, Lazio and Molise the park's some 50,000 hectares are home to 25 towns and a wide network of over 150 hiking trails. You will also find Barrea Lake, artificially created when the Sangro River was dammed, it is a true oasis where rare bird species like grey wagtail or grey herons can be seen.
Overlooking the lake is the small medieval village of Barrea, perched up on a spur at 1066 meters and surrounded by some of the park’s most beautiful mountains.
5. Cinque Terre National Park
One of the most visited parks in Italy, the Cinque Terre’s (Five lands) five picturesque towns that hug the cliff faces along the rough and rugged coast are a must-see. A UNESCO World Heritage site of thousands of kilometres of dry-stone walls which enclose terraced vineyards with characteristic rural buildings, medieval quarters, sanctuaries and panoramic trails overlooking the sea.
For centuries, the Cinque Terre paths have been the only way to connect towns to one another. Today, the network stretching for more than 120 kilometres allowing you to discover which make Cinque Terre National Park an unforgettable place to visit.
6. Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park
Located in the Veneto region of Italy, the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park was created in order to protect a territory with extraordinary landscapes and much naturalistic value. The Vette di Feltre and Mount Serva were already famous for their flora as far back as the 18th century due to the presence of rare and ancient species.
On foot, by bike, or even on horseback, there are many ways to discover the park along hundreds of paths, forestry roads, mule tracks and vie ferrate (protected climbing routes).
