The most beautiful forests in Italy

From the Austrian border to Basilicata. Everywhere we look, we have enchanting and worthwhile destinations.

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Italy is home to some of the most beautiful forests in the world, yet we neglect them and waste the opportunity to discover these unique places, characterized by the variety of flora and fauna, the incredible and intact biodiversity, and the unique microclimate of each forest. From Friuli-Venezia Giulia to Calabria, here are the most beautiful forests in Italy. 

Tarvisio (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)

Italy's most beautiful forests

On the border with Austria and Slovenia, in the Tarvisio area of ​​Friuli-Venezia Giulia, lies one of the largest and most beautiful forests in Italy. The wood of its rare and prized spruces is used by violin makers around the world to craft exquisite violins.

Cansiglio (Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia)

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The wood from this splendid forest, which extends across the provinces of Belluno, Treviso, and Pordenone, was used to supply the powerful Republic of Venice. The forest was also an ancient hunting reserve, and today it is a favorite spot for foliage lovers.

Somadida (Veneto)

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Photo from Wikipedia

This is the largest forest in Cadore, populated primarily by spruce, silver fir, beech, and larch trees, but also by the magnificent flowers that grow in the lush undergrowth, starting with the mountain orchid known as "Venus's slipper." The Somadida Forest has been a nature reserve and state heritage site since 1972.

Salbertrand (Piedmont)

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Photo from Wikipedia

The Gran Bosco di Salbertrand is located in Piedmont and is a true natural paradise, populated by silver and spruce firs and a wide variety of animals. It is home to deer, chamois, birds, and wild boar. It can be explored by following the numerous trails that crisscross it.

Val Masino Baths (Lombardy)

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Photo from Wikipedia

The Bagni di Masino regional forest is located in Lombardy, in the town of Bregolana, a magical place filled with centuries-old fir and beech trees. Walking through it, you can reach the Bagni di Masino spa complex, from which it takes its name.

Vallombrosa (Tuscany)

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Going down towards Central Italy, the first great natural beauty is the forest of Vallombrosa. This wonderful expanse of coniferous e deciduous, surrounds theabbey which bears its name and to which, according to ancient sayings, prosperity is due. A place of prayer and worship, and also of tranquility and peace for those who wish to escape the frenzy of metropolitan life.

Circeo (Lazio)

Italy's most beautiful forestsSouth of Rome, in the province of Latina, the Circeo Nature Reserve It is the last witness of the Pontine reclamation works carried out during the fascist era, when the same Mussolini wanted to protect this natural parkIt is among the smallest, but certainly one of the most beautiful forests in Italy. It is no coincidence, in fact, that it was declared a World Heritage Site by theUNESCO, World Heritage Site.

Umbra Forest (Puglia)

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Photo from Wikipedia

It's not located in Umbria, as its name might suggest, but in Puglia, in the Gargano National Park. Beech, oak, maple, holly, and ancient trees populate this wonderful forest that extends over 10.000 hectares. Considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

Sila (Calabria)

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Once you reach the deep south of the peninsula, you cannot help but include the wonderful forests on the mountains of Silain CalabriaHere we will be able to admire the fascinated Giants of the Sila that will leave us speechless. centuries-old larch pines that populate this forest measure up to 45 meters high, therefore having nothing to envy the North American sequoias.

Pollino (Basilicata and Calabria)

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Photo from Wikipedia

Italy's largest national park, Pollino, stretches between Basilicata and Calabria, and is home to a magnificent forest of Bosnian pine, believed to be the oldest in Europe. The National Park was established in 1993.

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