A peculiar place, a mysterious amazing wood! Wild! Odd! Abruzzo – Lazio and Molise National Park was founded by engineer Erminio Sipari on 1 septembre 1922. With a surface of about 44.000 hectars to be added to other 60.000 hectars of external protected area, it is the first national park which was founded in Italy. The park area lying in Abruzzo is the largest. Coming up along the Sangro river, the visitor is immersed in the first beech woods, kingdom of the bear; this latter crosses the forest especially at night and early in the morning. The high Sangro river Valley is the heart of the park. Thanks to the presence of this river, the agropastoral culture developed gaining sustenance from its waters and agriculture developed mostly along its river benches. The small town of Pescasseroli is the centre of the Park. Following down the Sangro river, a rocky hill appears and above it is situated the village of Opi, with a peculiar architectural structure. Its oldest part leans over the Foce, a narrow gorge crossed by the Sangro river.
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There are several and very interesting nature itineraries: the Macchiavarna upland is worth a visit, especially in spring and autumn. From Valico di Forca d’Acero pass it is possible to see the first part of cresta delle Pietre Rosse (Red stone ridge) and the Iannanghera Valley. From San Nicola Mount are visible the Sella delle Gravare, the Mortari and the Monte Amaro Anphiteatre: the basin of the anphiteatre is the Val Fondillo, one of the most evocative places in the Park. The two itineraries thet cross it offer special feelings: meadows brightened by the sun, low fronds of beech trees, the Fondillo stream, and its inimitable rustling in the brushes depict a magic and unforgettable landscape. To the southernmost part the Camosciara mountain group opens its rare dolomite landscape like a shell, sheltering the winding maples, beeches woods, groves of Juniper,small and large meadows that gently slope down towards the valley. Crevasses del Balzo, of mounts Capraro and Sterpi d’Alto sometimes are hidden from the dark fronds of groups of rare black pines. Itineraries in this corner of paradise, where mother nature is free to express itself in all its beauty are selected and exclusive. The Camosciara is in fact an integral reserve. On the top ofthe eastern slopes of Mount Sterpi d’Alto and along the ancient tratturo regio lies the nice village of Civitella Alfedena. Dating back to the Middle Ages, Civitella boasts a peculiar preservation of its architectural features and landscape integrity. The stone houses of the town are all gathered around the Baroque church of San Nicola. Civitella Alfedena is a starting point for many excursion on exclusive itineraries, besides giving the possibility to visit the Wolf Museum and the Lynx protected area.The excursion to the Val di Rose is one of the most famous in the Park and, being lucky, it is possible to sight herds of Chamois grazing. In Villetta Barrea the architecture of some noble mansions remind of the presence of some noble families who ruled over a pastoral and rural society. Behind the village the black pine wood climbs on the steep slopes of Mount Mattone. From here, through passo Godi beyond the borders of the park, you reach the Sagittario River valley and the picturesque village of Scanno, rich in culture and traditional handicraft. Barrea, after the name of its lake owns a historical centre of great value. It overlooks a wild gorge patiently digged in the rocks for centuries by the Sangro river waters. Different routes lead to the Iannanghera Valley, to the morainic plateau of Lago Vivo and under the ridges of the great mountain chains between the monte Meta monte Petroso, the highest peaks of the Park. La selva Bella, Valle del Torto, the woods on the slopes of Mount Tartaro join Barrea territories to those of Alfedena.
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