Nature parks
Val Troncea Nature Park (Pragelato)
Category: Parks
The park, which protects a wilderness area, was also established to safeguard the profound effects that human presence and work has had, over the centuries, on the valley. Val Troncea, along with the remains of the high Val Chisone, had a Waldesian settlement which came from France during the 12th and 13th centuries, and which suffered through persecution and religious wars. From the17th century on, intensive deforestation began in order to furnish the wood necessary for the construction of Fenestrelle Fort system and the tunnels of the Beth mines, which were located on the hill of the same name and which were close at the beginning of the 20th century.
Today, the woods exist only as smaller areas along the steepest rocky slopes and consist of larches, sometimes with Swiss stones pines, and of areas of a rare hooked pine. The multicolored spring and summer flowers that characterize the valley’s wide pastures have given Val Troncea the nickname “valley of the flowers”; there are species typical to pioneer flora such as the alpine star and alpine aster and others that have found a perfect spot in the acidic soil and in the rich humus soil as fescues, milk vetches, violets, and Pyrenees buttercups. The fauna includes many hoofed animals, while the bird life includes the golden eagle, the goshawk, the common kestrel, the boreal owl, the black grouse, and the ptarmigan.
The Park Association has tracked and marked 22 paths which allow visitors to explore the protected area. In Pragelato, there is a well-known ski complex with both downhill and cross-country trails and also a museum that offers a deeper an understanding of the valley’s nature and history.
Information
Area: 3,280 hectares
Altitude: 1,650 – 3,280 meters
Established: 1980
Environment: mountain
E-mail: parco.valtroncea@ruparpiemonte.it
www.parconaturalevaltroncea.it
Head Office
Via della Pineta, Frazione Ruà - 10060 Pragelato (To)
Tel. and Fax: +39.0122.78849
