Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park

Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna Overview

Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park, known in Italian as Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna, is a protected area in central Italy, spanning approximately 368 square miles (953 square kilometers) across Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna.

Located in the northern Apennines, the park is renowned for its ancient forests, rich biodiversity, and historical significance. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills, deep valleys, and rugged mountains, with Monte Falterona rising to 1,654 meters (5,426 feet) as one of its highest peaks. Numerous rivers, including the Arno, originate in these mountains, and stunning waterfalls, such as the Acquacheta Falls, add to the park’s natural beauty.

The park’s vast forests, among the oldest and best-preserved in Europe, consist mainly of beech, silver fir, oak, and chestnut trees. The ancient Casentinesi Forests were historically managed by monks, particularly in the Camaldoli and La Verna monasteries, which remain key spiritual and cultural sites within the park. These dense woodlands provide a pristine habitat for diverse wildlife.

Visitors may encounter large mammals such as the Appennine wolf, wild boar, red deer, and roe deer, while smaller species like porcupines and martens are also present. The park is a haven for birdwatchers, offering sightings of the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, Eurasian eagle-owl, and numerous woodpecker species.

A major attraction of the park is the Camaldoli Hermitage and Monastery, an important historical and religious site founded in the 11th century. Similarly, the Sanctuary of La Verna, where Saint Francis of Assisi is said to have received the stigmata, draws both pilgrims and tourists. The park also contains remains of medieval castles, abandoned villages, and historic mountain trails, enhancing its cultural appeal.

Visitors can explore the park through hiking, cycling, and horseback riding along a well-maintained network of trails. The Alta Via dei Parchi, a long-distance trekking route, passes through the park, offering breathtaking views of the Apennines.

In winter, snow-covered landscapes make for excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Wildlife tours and guided nature walks provide opportunities to observe the park’s diverse fauna in their natural habitat.

The park’s conservation efforts focus on protecting its old-growth forests and endemic species while promoting sustainable tourism. The reintroduction of native species and strict regulations on logging and hunting have been notable successes in maintaining biodiversity.

However, challenges such as climate change, illegal poaching, and forest diseases continue to pose threats to the ecosystem. Through collaboration with scientific institutions and conservation organizations, the park management strives to ensure the long-term preservation of this exceptional natural environment.

Park Map

Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Apennine Wolf (Canis lupus italicus)
The Apennine wolf is a symbol of the park and one of the most elusive predators in Italy. It plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling populations of wild ungulates. With a lean body, thick fur, and remarkable adaptability, these wolves are often active at night and remain highly secretive.

Eurasian Brown Bear (Ursus arctos arctos)
Although rare, brown bears have been recorded in the Apennine region. They are powerful omnivores that roam large distances in search of food, consuming berries, nuts, small mammals, and fish. Their presence highlights the park’s importance as a protected habitat.

European Wildcat (Felis silvestris)
This elusive feline is larger and more robust than a domestic cat, with a bushy tail and thick fur. It hunts small mammals and birds in the dense forests of the park and is highly solitary, avoiding human presence.

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
One of the largest herbivores in the park, the red deer is a majestic species known for its impressive antlers in males. They are most active during dawn and dusk, often seen grazing in open meadows or moving through the forest.

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
Smaller than the red deer, the roe deer is a graceful and agile species, known for its reddish-brown summer coat and white rump patch. They are highly adaptable and often spotted foraging along the edges of forests.

European Badger (Meles meles)
Recognizable by its black and white striped face, the European badger is a nocturnal omnivore that digs extensive burrow systems called setts. It feeds on small vertebrates, fruits, and insects, playing an essential role in the ecosystem.

Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
A highly adaptable and resilient species, wild boars thrive in the park’s dense forests. They are omnivorous and play a vital role in soil aeration by rooting through the forest floor in search of food.

Italian Crested Newt (Triturus carnifex)
This striking amphibian is commonly found in the park’s wetlands and small ponds. Males develop a tall, jagged crest along their backs during the breeding season. They are an indicator species, reflecting the health of freshwater ecosystems.

Asp Viper (Vipera aspis)
A venomous snake that inhabits rocky slopes and forest clearings, the asp viper is a key predator of rodents and other small animals. It has a distinctive triangular head and varied coloration that helps it blend into its surroundings.

Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna)
A rare and fascinating carnivore, the marbled polecat is known for its striking spotted fur and powerful scent glands. It primarily hunts small rodents and insects, using its sharp claws and keen sense of smell to locate prey.

Birds

The park is a haven for birdwatchers, with a diverse array of raptors, woodpeckers, and songbirds inhabiting its forests, cliffs, and rivers. Many of these birds are elusive, but patient observers can catch glimpses of them in their natural habitat.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
This powerful bird of prey is one of the most iconic raptors of the park. With a wingspan reaching over two meters, it soars high above the mountain ridges, hunting mammals such as hares and young deer.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo)
One of the largest owl species in the world, the Eurasian eagle-owl is a formidable nocturnal predator. It has striking orange eyes and ear tufts, and it hunts a variety of prey, including rodents and other birds.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Famous for being the fastest bird in the world, the peregrine falcon can dive at speeds exceeding 300 km/h when hunting. It is often seen around cliffs and rocky outcrops, where it preys on pigeons and smaller birds.

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
A widespread raptor, the common buzzard is often seen soaring over open areas in search of small mammals, reptiles, and birds. It has a highly variable plumage pattern, making identification tricky at times.

Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)
This large forest grouse is known for its elaborate courtship displays. Males are much larger than females and have iridescent dark feathers, a fan-like tail, and a distinctive red eyebrow.

Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
The largest woodpecker in Europe, the black woodpecker is unmistakable with its all-black plumage and red crown. It excavates large holes in trees to find insects and to create nesting sites.

European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
Unlike other raptors, the honey buzzard specializes in feeding on wasps and bees, using its strong claws to dig up nests. It has a slender build and often migrates long distances between Europe and Africa.

Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)
A well-camouflaged nocturnal predator, the tawny owl is commonly heard at night with its haunting calls. It preys on rodents, small birds, and insects in the park’s dense forests.

European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
A mysterious and cryptic bird, the nightjar is active at dusk and dawn, feeding on moths and other insects. It has a soft, churring call and is often seen flying silently through the trees.

White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)
This unique aquatic songbird is found along fast-flowing rivers and streams, where it dives underwater to catch insects and small fish. Its white throat and chest contrast with its dark body, making it easy to recognize along riverbanks.

The Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park is a treasure trove of biodiversity, offering a glimpse into Italy’s rich and ancient natural heritage. Its mix of dense forests, clear rivers, and rugged mountains creates the perfect habitat for a diverse array of wildlife, making it an unforgettable destination for nature lovers.