Val Rosandra, Protected natural reserve in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Val Rosandra is a protected natural reserve near Trieste featuring limestone cliffs, caves, and the sole surface stream running through this karst region. The valley covers approximately 746 hectares and displays diverse rock formations shaped by millions of years of natural erosion.
The rock formations developed some 40 to 45 million years ago when carbonate layers accumulated while the tropical Tethys sea still covered this region. These geological layers remain vital records of how the landscape took shape over deep time.
The valley serves as a natural meeting point where locals and visitors connect with the landscape through walking and nature watching. The area holds meaning for the surrounding communities as a place where everyday life intersects with the wider environment.
The area offers clearly marked trails that guide visitors through different sections of the reserve. The Rifugio Premuda mountain hut provides food and shelter along the way for those planning longer exploration.
The caves harbor bat species including several from the Rhinolophidae family that roost within the rock crevices and cavities. These nocturnal inhabitants often go unseen by visitors yet perform crucial ecological functions within the region.
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