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Nature reserves cover no fewer than 196,000 hectares of protected land, some 8% of the entire region. The Maritime Alps Natural Park, the largest natural park in Piedmont, stretches through the Gesso, Pesio and Tanaro Valleys. The park is also home to one of the oldest colonies of ibex. The landscape of the Upper Pesio Valley and Tanaro National Park is typically calcareous upland with sheer, high walls that open out into one of the most important karst systems in Piedmont, including the renowed Bossea caves. The Orsiera – Rocciavrè National Park in Valsusa is wild and unspoilt, the mountains studded with typical glacial formations that straddle the Chisone, Susa and Sangone valleys.
Travel back up the valley and you will come to the Gran Bosco di Salbertrand Natural Park, the most westerly protected area in Italy. In the heart of the Apennines lies the Alta Valsesia National Park, the highest in Europe, which soars up to 4559 m at the Punta Gnifetti in the Monte Rosa range. Magical meadowed hilltops surrounded by larches and a dense undergrowth of rhododendrons and bilberries form the stunning setting for the two Alpe Veglia and Alpe Devero National Parks in Val d'Ossola. If you prefer, you can organize short walks and picnics in the Po, Sesia and Ticino River Parks.
Birdwatchers will enjoy the Laghi di Avigliana National Park, with its large and small lakes and glacial marshland. Many exciting tours are available to help you discover the numerous lakes, green valleys and attractive parkland so rich in scents and colours of the Gran Paradiso National Park. This is the foremost and largest nature park in Italy, criss-crossed by kilometres of pathways offering a wealth of possibilities for days out. Visitors will be won over by the unspoilt morainic and alpine lakes and the nature reserves that abound in this region.
The Piedmontese lakes of Lago Maggiore and Lago d'Orta are favourite destinations for sophisticated tourists drawn here by the lush vegetation, artistic treasures and mountain setting. Further west, you can find the lesser known Lakes Viverone, Candia and Avigliano, still places of undiscovered beauty. Allow yourself to be seduced by the magic of a stroll along the lake shore or take a boat trip and enjoy the views. Or why not take advantage of the many opportunities for sport: sailing, windsurfing, riding, golf, walking and mountain biking, delta-planing or hang gliding from the surrounding mountains. Fans of kayaking, hydrospeed, rafting, tubing and canyoning will be in paradise, the Sesio river offering thrilling descents that total more than 100 kilometres.
Reservations: YES
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