Gran Paradiso National Park keeps what its name promises.
This park was the first Italian national park established and is one of the largest in terms of extension. The natural beauty of the first Italian protected area features enchanted mountains ponds that mirror the blue sky and a fairytale fauna. Roe deer and wolves, foxes, ermine lynxes and then more chamois, ibex and the golden eagle, queen of the highest skies. Nature is flanked by the rural and religious architecture that tell of a hard but alive past, when these mountains between Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont were densely inhabited.
The Park is located at the foot of the Gran Paradiso massif and its territory extends into two regions, the Aosta Valley and Piedmont. In these places you can admire the animals and the nature typical of the Alpine context. Discover the first Italian National Park and what you can do and see in this place that offers incredible natural shows
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Gran Paradiso National Park: what is it and where is it located?
The Gran Paradiso National Park is a protected natural area located around the Gran Paradiso massif and was established by the Italian State in 1922. The territory includes five valleys that are: the Cogne Valley, the Orco Valley, the Soana Valley, the Rhemes Valley and the Valsavaranche.
The landscape is predominantly alpine and is characterized by wide valleys. In this place nature and fauna are preserved in order to preserve the beauty of the Alps. Its total area is 700000 hectares.
The history of the Gran Paradiso National Park
The history of the Gran Paradiso National Park is closely linked to the protection of the ibex that was destined for extinction from 1800. A part of this territory had already been declared in 1858 by King Vittorio Emanuele II Royal reserve of hunting promoting the construction of a series of paths and mule tracks and establishing a corps of specialized guards.
In 1919 the king declared himself willing to donate about 2000 hectares to the Italian state with the constraint that a National Park was created here. On 3 December 1922 the Gran Paradiso National Park was established, the first protected natural area in Italy. From 1934 the park was managed by a commission with administrative autonomy.
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Gran Paradiso National Park: what to see?
Gran Paradiso National Park is one of the major tourist attractions of this area between Piedmont and Aosta Valley and offers many things to see. One of the most striking aspects concerns the villages and valleys that are located in this area. Cogne is one of the most characteristic tourist resorts of the Aosta Valley with its small streets and houses
historical. This town is immersed in a natural scenery of incredible beauty and is one of the most famous and popular of the park. Cogne is also a popular ski resort and every year on the cross-country trail takes place the traditional Marcia Gran paradiso. Valsavaranche is the wildest valley of the park and is known for its extraordinary natural environments that offer the opportunity to make beautiful excursions in nature.
It develops around the Savara stream. One of the small villages to visit in this area is that of Degioz where there is the visitor center where there is an exhibition about predators in the Alps. Also the Val di Rhemes offers many possibilities to spend pleasant moments in nature. Here there are also characteristic villages such as Rhemes Notre Dome where there is the visitor center dedicated to the birds of the park.
As for the Piedmontese part of the park there is the Soana Valley that includes the municipalities of Ronco Canavese and Valprato Soana. In these areas there is the ecomuseum of copper in Castellaro and also the famous Sanctuary of San Besso which is over 2000 meters above sea level and can only be reached on foot.
In the Orco Valley the landscape is characterized by glacial valleys. The heart of the valley is the small village of Novrasca where there are beautiful waterfalls. In addition, in the Orco valley there is also one of the most interesting highlands of the Alps where there are vast expanses of green meadows inhabited by chamois and ibex.
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Gran Paradiso National Park: what to do?
Gran Paradiso National Park offers many activities depending on the different seasons. For starters in the park there are more than 500 kilometers of paths that cross the 5 valleys. Here you can take beautiful walks to discover the nature and animals that inhabit the park. In addition to trekking you can move by bike to discover the valleys and villages.
Gran Paradiso National Park allows you to live unique experiences such as rock climbing or ice climbing depending on the season. In winter the park is the ideal place to make beautiful excursions with snowshoes. The Gran Paradiso is also perfect for those who love skiing in fact here are some ski resorts with lifts. There are also cross-country trails like Cogne.
Access from the Piedmontese side of the park is to Ceresole Reale, where the artificial lake created by the barrier on the river Orco will welcome you. Dop cheeses such as Toma or fontina, prepared as potato salami, or wholesome sausages such as mocetta to desserts such as nivolet cake and Mecoulin, honey and biscuits are among the typical products at zero kilometer of the Park.
Copertina: italia