Special Nature Reserve of the Sources of the Belbo River (Chiusa Pesio) - Piemonte Feel

Nature parks

Special Nature Reserve of the Sources of the Belbo River (Chiusa Pesio)

Category: Parks

Chiusa Pesio

The first stretch of the river Belbo’s course begins in a small plateau on the Alta Langa (Upper Langa area), among the towns of Montezemolo, Camerana and Saliceto, a few kilometres from Ceva. This Nature Reserve has a distinctive feature, unique to this area: it is humid and the stagnation of water is caused by copious precipitation and by the ground’s poor permeability, due to build-up of clay. Important flowers can be admired in the surrounding areas, while the entire Special Nature Reserve has a floral heritage of significant scientific interest. Here, in fact, coexist alpine species such as the Turk´s-cap, the Mezereon, the bilberry and the marsh marigold as well as varieties that live in the undergrowth, such as anemones and lilies of the valley. There are six varieties of orchid that flower for a short period of time in May. There are numerous animal species, among which we can find roe deer, wild boars, foxes, badgers, stone martens, weasels, pheasants and partridges. The upper course of the river is home to large invertebrates, crayfish, minnow, chub and dace.
The Nature Reserve can also be visited as a ‘literary park’, since this landscape inspired Cesare Pavese for some of his most famous works.

Information

Area: 422 hectares
Elevation: 645 - 751 metres above sea level
Established: 1993
Environment: hilly
E-mail: parcopesio@ruparpiemonte.it
www.parks.it/parchi.cuneesi
Head Office
Via S. Anna, 34 - 12013 Chiusa Pesio (Cn)
Tel. +39.0171.734021 - Fax: +39.0171.735166