Parco regionale dell'Alto Appennino Modenese

Parco regionale dell'Alto Appennino Modenese is a large protected mountain area in the northern Apennines featuring forested slopes, high-altitude lakes, open meadows, and chestnut woodlands. The terrain varies from steep ridges to gentle valleys, offering different landscapes depending on which paths you follow.

The area was designated as a regional park in 1988 to protect its mountain landscape and natural resources. The formal management structure began operating in 1991, combining conservation goals with support for the existing farming communities living there.

The park territory is home to farming communities that have shaped the landscape through grazing and forestry for centuries. Their way of living here remains visible in stone villages, dry stone walls, and managed meadows that travelers encounter while walking through.

The park offers marked trails for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding across different levels of difficulty and length. Weather conditions change quickly in the mountains, so it is wise to check conditions before heading out and plan your route accordingly.

The park is home to rare mountain plants, including carnivorous species like the sundew that grow in wet areas such as high-altitude wetlands. These plants adapted to cold, boggy conditions and seem delicate and unusual to most travelers exploring the landscape.