Nature parks
The Laghi di Avigliana Nature Park
Category: Parks
The Sacra di San Michele looks down upon this protected area, reminding everyone that it has been a reference point for every pilgrim who crosses the Alps on a pilgrimage to Rome or to the Holy Land since the year 1000. Today, hundreds of species of water birds, who nest and winter here every year, find protection in its shadow along the Laghi di Avigliana (Avigliana Lakes).
The park consists of three ecosystems: the two lakes, the Mareschi marsh, and the moraine hills. The two lakes are the only survivors of those which formed in the Susa Valley following the last two major Pleistocene ice ages. The aquatic life consists of: carp, northern pike, black bass, perch, bleak, chub, and rudd. The bird life, however, consists of more interesting species: Eurasian coot, little grebe, black kite, great bittern, spotted woodpecker, short-toed treecreeper, water rail, moorhen, cormorant, great crested grebe, and grey heron. The small lake has the best bird watching, where mallards, Eurasion coots, grey herons can be seen and crested grebes that, between the end of winter and the beginning of spring, carry out their characteristic courtship ritual called “the dance on the water”.
Information
Area: 410 hectares
Altitude: 346 – 478 meters
Founded: 1980
Environment: hill
E-mail: parco.avigliana@reteunitaria.piemonte.it
www.parks.it/parco.laghi.avigliana
Head Office
Via Monte Pirchiriano 54, 10051 Avagliana (To)
Tel. +39.011.9313000 - Fax: +39.011.9328055
