Riserva naturale Contrafforte Pliocenico, Regional nature reserve in Bologna province, Italy.
The Riserva naturale Contrafforte Pliocenico is a protected area that stretches across approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) through several valleys where the rivers Reno, Setta, Savena, Zena, and Idice flow. The reserve features forested hillsides, rocky peaks, and distinctive stone formations that shape the landscape of the Bologna region.
The area formed roughly 5 to 2 million years ago when marine sediments accumulated here and were later pushed upward by geological forces. The rock formations visible today preserve traces of this ancient sea and reveal the geological history of the northern Apennines.
This protected area serves as a place where visitors connect with the local landscape and observe how the valleys support diverse plant and animal communities. People come here to understand the natural world that shapes the region around Bologna.
The reserve features several marked trails leading to peaks such as Monte Adone, Rocca di Badolo, and Monte Rosso, accommodating different fitness levels and hiking experience. Information signs along the routes help visitors understand the geological features and wildlife they encounter.
Peregrine falcons nest within the golden sandstone cliffs here, and visitors with patience may spot these birds of prey hunting overhead. The rocks also contain marine fossils that reveal evidence of the ancient sea that once covered this region millions of years ago.
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