Valle Cervara, Protected beech forest in Villavallelonga, Italy
Valle Cervara is a protected beech forest in Abruzzo National Park with trees reaching over 40 meters tall and many specimens exceeding 500 years in age. The forest sits at higher elevation and consists almost entirely of mature beeches with a dense, dark canopy that blocks most sunlight.
The forest became part of a royal reserve from 1873 to 1912, which led to its current protected status. This early conservation effort made it one of Europe's first deliberately preserved forest areas.
The valley's name comes from the deer that have lived in these mountains for centuries and shaped how local people understand their land. These animals remain part of the area's identity today.
Access to the forest is through the marked R5 trail, where strict conservation rules prevent visitors from disturbing natural elements. It is important to stay on marked paths and follow guidelines that protect this sensitive ecosystem.
This beech forest contains some of the oldest documented trees in Europe, with specimens that are thousands of years old. These extreme ages make it a rare window into forest history across the continent over an extraordinarily long span of time.
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