Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park
Silence, rock and magnificence
Here, nature does not speak: it astounds. The Ampezzo Dolomites rise like spires carved into the sky, with stratospheric walls that fascinate hikers and climbers from all over the world. But just look down to discover another world: green valleys, crystal-clear streams, hidden lakes, deep forests.
It's one of those places that stays within you.
The Park, established in 1990, covers over 11,000 hectares north of Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the heart of the eastern Dolomites. No town, just pure nature: from the massifs of Tofana, Fanes and Cristallo to the valleys of Travenanzes, Fanes, Felizon and Boite every corner offers spectacular scenery.
Among the conifers and larches that punctuate the slopes, the Semprevivo delle Dolomiti stands out, the symbol of the Park. And then there are 35 species of orchids, monumental beeches and fragrant mountain pines. If you look up to the skies, you might spot golden eagles, owls, and rare woodpeckers. If you keep really quiet, you may come across an ibex or a chamois.
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The Park offers dozens of trails for every level, to explore on foot or by mountain bike. Mountaineers will find here a real open-air climbing gym, surrounded by unreal silences and breathtaking views.
But always remember: walking here is a privilege. Bring respect, care and lightness of foot with you. Nature can give so much, if you learn to pass through it without leaving a trace.
Lessinia Park
A plateau where nature tells ancient stories
Welcome to Lessinia, north of Verona, where the mountains soften and the upland emerges among meadows, huts, deep forests and ancient legends.
Here, every step has the flavour of discovery: of a powerful but welcoming nature, which has always coexisted with mankind in perfect harmony.
In the Lessinia Regional Natural Park, over 10,000 hectares preserve geological, historical and landscape wonders.
The karst mountains offer unique scenery: sinkholes, caves, and natural bridges, such as the famous Veja Bridge - a spectacular rock arch under which a crystal clear stream flows. Not to mention the mysterious Spluga della Preta, among the deepest abysses in Italy, or the suggestive Valle delle Sfingi, with its monoliths sculpted by time.
Between a walk and a break in a hut, you can come across traces of the Cimbri, an ancient Germanic population that has left its mark in stone and architecture. And if you love fossils, here you are in the right place: Pesciara di Bolca is one of the most important paleontological sites in Europe.
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There are numerous trails, all well signposted and perfect for hiking, mountain biking or horse riding. The upland is accessible from different directions and offers experiences suitable for everyone, from experienced walkers to families with children.
Lessinia is not merely to be crossed: you need to listen, breathe, live the experience. And when you leave, a little of the place remains inside you. Especially if you have been able to offer the right respect.
River Sile Natural Park
Where water comes from silence
In the Natural Park of the Sile River everything starts from the bottom, from a drop that emerges from the ground. It is here, between quiet fields and peat bogs, that the water comes to life, clear and silent, in the "Fontanassi", the resurgence springs typical of the Treviso landscape.
The river begins in Casacorba, just above Treviso, and from there begins its slow journey, among lakes, swamps, a crisscross of waterways and old mills. In this first section, the landscape is rural and rarefied: an intertwining of nature, history and tranquility.
Once this was the area of the mills: Treviso was called "the granary of the Serenissima" because from here came the ‘burci’, the boats loaded with flour bound for Venice.
After Treviso, Sile transforms. The banks rise, the old tow paths – once trodden by the horses that towed the barges – have become beautiful cycle-pedestrian paths, ideal for discovering the park step by step.
If you love cycling or walking surrounded by nature, here you are in the right place: follow the river towards the sea, cross former quarries transformed into small lakes, re-naturalised wetlands, listen to the rustling of herons, and see foliage, swans, ducks and cormorants.
Take your time: every bend in the river gives you a different view.
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Start wherever you want: the River Sile Park is easily accessible by car or train. The trails are flat, also suitable for families with children.
Follow the course of the river slowly and respectfully. The Sile accompanies you gently: you do the same with it. Every leaf, every reflection, needs your attention.
Parco dei Colli Euganei
With ancient volcanoes, nature and poetry
A few kilometres from Padua, the hills play a starring role in the landscape. The Euganean Hills emerge from the valley like frozen waves: gentle shapes, volcanic cones, slopes covered with woods, vineyards and olive trees, creating perfect geometries.
This regional park of over 18,000 hectares, established in 1989 and now part of the UNESCO "Man and the Biosphere" (MAB) Programme, is an intertwining of nature, history and wellness. A unique scenario in the world, which has inspired poets such as Petrarch, Foscolo, d'Annunzio, and Buzzati, and which today wins the heart of those who seek silence, landscapes and freedom.
On the southern side there is Mediterranean scrub, while on the cooler slopes there are chestnut and oak forests, alternating with meadows dotted with rare wild orchids. Everywhere, vines and olive trees form terraces suspended between heaven and earth.
Do you want to walk or pedal? Hundreds of trails are available, also for horse riding. Do you love adrenaline? Rocca Pendice awaits you with its natural rock climbing gym. And if you prefer relaxation, there are the renowned Euganean Baths of Abano, Montegrotto, Galzignano and Battaglia Terme, famous all over the world for their EMAS-certified thermal mud.
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The Park includes 15 municipalities, rich in artistic and architectural treasures. Not to be missed: Arquà Petrarca, among the most beautiful villages in Italy, the Venetian villas, the Abbey of Praglia and the Hermitage of Monte Rua. Every corner tells a story. It's up to you to decide where to start.
Make it your own, stepping lightly, with care and silence. The landscape will welcome you, if you know how to listen to it and respect it.
Huge natural parks
Po Delta Park
A world that lives in the infinite balance between sea, river and land
There's no rush in the Po Delta. There is water flowing, spreading, delineating movable boundaries between earth and sky.
More than 700 km² of living nature, including lagoons, reeds, marshes and floating islands. A precious ecosystem, protected as a Regional Park for 13,000 hectares and recognised by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. Over 370 species of birds are found here: white herons, flamingos, swamp hawks. It is a paradise of birdwatching, and much more.
You can explore it by canoe, bike, horseback, or even just by walking along the embankments. Each season offers different colours and unique atmospheres: light mists in winter, golden light in autumn, fiery skies in summer.
On your journey, you may come across the "casoni", the old fishermen's huts. Or enjoy fresh fish dishes in a trattoria overlooking the water.
Where to start? Recommended locations are Porto Tolle, Rosolina or Taglio di Po: these offer convenient parking, bike rental and even guided boat or bike tours. Many routes are on flat ground and also suitable for families with children or strollers.
Do you want to truly switch off and relax? Come to the Delta. There's no need for noise here. Here, nature is the protagonist. And remember to always respect it: this landscape walks a fragile tightrope and any imprint can remain for a long time.
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Belluno Dolomites Park
Vertical, authentic and silent nature
In the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, there is a natural park where the mountains are still free, rugged and authentic. This is the National Park of the Belluno Dolomites: over 30,000 hectares of hidden valleys, deep gorges, high-altitude pastures and vertiginous walls.
From time to time, you come across ski resorts and large hotels, but you can find much more precious treasures: rare silences, extraordinary biodiversity and landscapes that change at every turn, from the Mediterranean vegetation of the Lower Feltrino slope to the Dolomite glaciers above 2,000 metres, over 1,400 plant species (including many rare and endemic examples) and a very rich fauna with chamois, marmots, deer, golden eagles, and black woodpeckers. A paradise for hikers, photographers and naturalists.
You can explore it on foot, along CAI (Italian Alpine Club) trails that go up isolated valleys and lead to austere shelters, or by bike, in the most accessible areas. In summer, the active huts offer local cheeses and stories of simple and strenuous life.
Don’t seek comfort or convenience: here nature reigns supreme, and you are only a guest. Walk with respect, listen to the wind among the larches, follow in the light footsteps of the wildlife. And leave everything as it was, or better than you found it.
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