Parco delle Orobie Valtellinesi

Parco delle Orobie Valtellinesi is a mountain regional park in the Province of Sondrio that covers the northern slopes of the Orobic Alps. The terrain shifts from forested valleys at lower elevations to open alpine meadows and rocky peaks higher up, creating distinct zones for different types of hiking and exploration.

The park was established in 1989 to protect the alpine landscape of northern Lombardy from further development. The area had been shaped by centuries of mountain farming practices before receiving official protection.

The park serves as a place where mountain farming traditions remain visible in the landscape. Pastoral practices have shaped the meadows and woodlands for generations, and visitors can see how local communities have worked with this terrain.

Visitors can enter the park through various access points and choose trails suited to their fitness level and available time. It helps to bring hiking maps and check weather conditions before starting, especially at higher elevations where conditions change quickly.

The landscape is home to rare plant species that grow nowhere else in the region and capture the interest of researchers. Some of these species were thought to be lost but were rediscovered here, which was a key reason for creating the protected area.