Parco naturale della Alta Valle Pesio e Tanaro

The Parco naturale della Alta Valle Pesio e Tanaro is a protected area in the Ligurian Alps with mountain peaks, limestone formations, and valleys with waterfalls. This region offers different landscapes, from open slopes to densely forested areas.

The protected area was established in 1978 and received IUCN category IV status to preserve specific habitats and species in the region. This recognition was an important step to safeguard the natural systems of this mountain area.

The Certosa di Pesio, built in 1173, stands as a spiritual center within the park and shows how faith and nature have been connected here for centuries. Visitors come to this place for both its religious meaning and the quiet atmosphere that surrounds it.

The area can be entered from various access points near Cuneo, with the main route starting at the Certosa monastery portal. Most hikers follow marked trails that lead through the valley to open areas and natural viewpoints.

Beneath the park lies roughly 150 kilometers of explored caves, some reaching depths of nearly 1000 meters (3,280 feet). The Poggabella system is particularly notable and reveals the hidden underground world beneath this mountain landscape.