This environmental rarity, with a microclimate unique in Europe, is a veritable natural fridge. Its environmental value and alpine temperatures make for the perfect combination for this summer nature walk… accompanied by a sweatshirt!
Following the retreat of the glacier 20,000 years ago, this area near Lake Gaiano remains a wonderful low-altitude mountain retreat. This fascinating spot, with its extremely delicate alpine microclimate, can be visited every year from May to July by following a path that winds its way through hornbeams and hazel trees.
Here in the Valle del Freddo, there’s no need to switch on the air conditioning, not even in mid-August. A unique climatic condition is created in this area: in summer, air currents at 2°–4°C emerge from holes at the bottom of the valley, cooled by passing through the large blocks of ice that form underground in winter.
The valley was discovered thanks to an edelweiss. In 1939, the botanist Guido Isnenghi found it by following the directions of a hunter who wore the flower on his hat, having picked it without climbing to high altitudes.
Gentian, heather and globeflower are some of the other plant species that can be admired alongside the myriad colours of the wild orchids growing in the valley: from fuchsia to brown, white and the deep green of the Listera ovata, a species that grows up to 60 centimetres tall.
If you are quiet enough during your visit, you may also be joined by foxes, squirrels, weasels and hares. And if you look up, you can spot finches, robins, hoopoes and great tits: should they not venture beyond the foliage, you can always hear them singing whilst you enjoy the cool air… without boots and walking sticks.
The Regulations
Access to the Reserve is governed by Regional Council Resolution No. 7/19213 of 29 October 2014, which prohibits the following:
– Picking, removing or damaging wild plants;
– Lighting fires outdoors;
– Disturbing, harming, capturing or killing wild animals, collecting or destroying their nests, dens or resting places, or damaging or destroying their habitat;
– Hunting;
– Grazing livestock;
– Bringing dogs into the Reserve;
– Introducing non-native animal or plant species;
– Carrying out advertising activities, organising folk or sporting events, or camping;
– Travelling by motorised vehicles;
– In areas of particular merit identified by the plan, straying from the marked paths;
– Carrying out studies or research involving sampling in the wild or other exemptions from the prohibitions;
– Carrying out any other activity, even of a temporary nature, as specified in the plan, which involves alterations to the quality of the environment incompatible with the purpose of the Reserve.
The current Management Plan provides, in addition to the above rules, for the following requirements:
Cold Zone (Zone A) – Microthermal Process Zone (Zone B)
– No entry;
– Prohibition on leaving the marked and beaten paths.
VISITOR INFORMATION:
– Public visits to Zones A and B are permitted on foot only, accompanied by authorised staff, in groups of no more than 15 people and for a maximum of 100 visitors per day during May, June and July on the following days and at the following times: Saturdays from 1.30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.; from Monday to Friday, visitors are required to book their visit at the offices of the Alto Sebino Mountain Community (the reserve’s managing body);
– Access to the remaining areas of the Reserve (Zones C and D) is free all year round, on foot only;
– During the visit, the Reserve’s regulations must be observed; in the event of any breaches, the person responsible will, in addition to incurring the applicable penalties, be removed from the Reserve;
– Visits to the Cold Zone for scientific purposes are permitted, subject to a reasoned request to be submitted at least two months in advance to the Reserve Director, who, following the approval of the Permanent Advisory Committee, will issue a final decision;
– Visit duration: approximately 90 minutes.
– For VISITS and BOOKINGS: +39 3487596650.
