The Ten Most Beautiful Forests in Italy

Yellow, red, orange, and amber are the colors that characterize autumn. It's the perfect time to enjoy a beautiful, relaxing walk surrounded by nature. From north to south, there are numerous woods where you can admire the foliage, pick seasonal fruits, or discover new trails. Here are the 10 most beautiful forests.

In autumn it is a real pleasure to walk along paths immersed in the nature. Woods, sometimes populated by wild animals such as the chamois, and forests are an ideal destination for adults and children alike. Here are the best from north to south.

Index of topics

Carrega Woods Regional Park

It's just 15 km from Parma and is the ideal destination for those who enjoy long walks or cycling, where they can enjoy a breathtaking natural panorama, surrounded by Turkey oaks and chestnut trees. Not only that, but the Carrega Woods Regional Park It also boasts historic villas and palaces such as the Casino de Boschi, the occasional residence of Maria Luigia. And if while walks in the woods, notice some strange vials hanging from the trees, run to see what they contain!

Bagni di Masino Regional Forest

A forest of fir and beech trees waiting to be discovered. An enchanting place reached by crossing a small bridge. In the middle of the forest, you'll find Mount Lobbia on one side, and a stream on the other. Wonderful in every season, and even more so in autumn: the foliage it's spectacular.

Great Salbertrand Forest

Silver and red firs are its pride and joy, to be admired on a lovely walk or during a mountain bike ride. The fauna is also very rich, the Great Salbertrand Forest It's home to deer, wild boar, chamois, and numerous birds, including birds of prey. The park is located in the Susa Valley and will delight forest and hiking enthusiasts, with trails for all tastes.

Eggental Valley

Excursions both on foot and by mountain bike To admire the wonders of South Tyrol, right across from the Dolomites. 500 km through pristine nature along magnificent trails that wind between the Catinaccio/Rosengarten and Latemar mountains. We are located in the Val d'Ega, just 20 minutes from Bolzano, a magical, sun-kissed place.

Autumn on the Rosengarten - Latemar, photo by Othmar Seehauser — Autumn on the Rosengarten – Latemar, photo by Othmar Seehauser

Prato Gentile Forest

The Molise Apennines are a place that is absolutely worth a visit in autumn, but also at other times of the year. Here lies the Prato Gentile forest, a few minutes from CapracottaWhere you can stroll along more or less challenging paths and enjoy, step by step, a panorama of rare beauty. The adventure park also delights younger visitors.

Somadida Nature Reserve

In Cadore it is possible to visit the wonderful Somadida Forest, which is also the largest in the area. Pristine spaces nestled among beech, larch, and fir trees, where you can also admire extremely rare flowers like the "Lady's slipper." On foot or by mountain bike, the forest holds incredible surprises along the trails that lead to its discovery. And you might even catch a glimpse of a curious fox.

Cansiglio Forest

6.570 hectares of forest between Friuli and Veneto. One of the oldest in Italy. Ideal for hiking, following one of the many trails. The Cansiglio Forest is dominated by tall beech trees, and lower down, by Norway spruce. The local flora is equally precious. Not to mention the fauna, rich in roe deer, fallow deer, martens, badgers, and many other forest animals.

Aveto Park

Let's now delve into the Ligurian Apennines to discover the Aveto Park, not too far from Genoa. Beech, oak, chestnut, and hazelnut trees—many varieties of trees can be admired here, though the most exquisite gem is the famous Lago delle Lame. This glacial lake, located at 1048 meters above sea level, is especially worth a visit in autumn, when the colors of the foliage are reflected in its waters.

Umbra Forest

The Umbra Forest, in the Gargano National Park, is a riot of wonderIn addition to the rich variety of trees, from beech to oak, from maples to holly, you can admire centuries-old trees. One of the most famous? The Zeppino dello Scorzone, a 700-year-old Aleppo pine.

Ficuzza Wood

7.397 hectares of forest in the heart of Sicily. Ficuzza Wood It's a magical place rich in plant and animal species. The golden eagle nests here, and the peregrine falcon is its home. But there are also swallows, great tits, blackbirds, and many other birds. A place worth visiting, even with children.

Forests in Italy surface area

Despite the many bad news that arrive, especially in summer, about fire and forest destruction, we know for certain, thanks to the latest census by the Carabinieri Forestry Corps, that over the past ten years, Italy's forested area has grown by 18,4 percent, with an increase in carbon dioxide storage of 290 million tons. These authentic green lungs are expanding for two reasons. On the one hand, there is a natural advance of trees, and on the other, space is being freed up in areas where traditional agriculture is in decline and is no longer considered a viable economic activity.

Italian regions with the most forests

Thanks to the expansion of forests, each Italian has, on average, 200 trees. A significant number. But the geographical location of this natural heritage is not the same everywhere, and there are three Italian regions which, alone, they make up almost a third of the forests in the countryThese are the three regions with the most forests, in order:

Tuscany, with 10,4 percent;
Piedmont, with 9,8 percent;
Lombardy, with 8,7 percent.

Tree species in Italian forests

In Italian forests there are 180 species of trees, but only four represent about half of the entire national forest volume. These are beech, spruce, chestnut, and Turkey oak. The remainder of the area is almost entirely covered by larch, downy oak, hop hornbeam, and holm oak. And also: silver fir, black pine, and Scots pine.

The ten most beautiful forests in Italy