Riserva naturale Montedimezzo, State nature reserve in province of Isernia, Italy

Riserva naturale Montedimezzo is a 276-hectare state nature reserve established in 1971 in the municipality of Vastogirardi, province of Isernia. It covers the northern and western slopes of Monte La Penna (1,227 m), between 900 and 1,300 m above sea level, in the Vandra torrent basin, a minor tributary of the Volturno. Turkey oak and beech alternate according to slope, altitude, soil and microclimate, with turkey oak prevailing on clay and marly substrates.

Montedimezzo was a hunting reserve of the Bourbons before Italian unification, when it passed to the State and was entrusted to the forest administration by law no. 1376 of 1908. In 1971 it was established as a 276-hectare oriented nature reserve in the municipality of Vastogirardi, and since 1977 it has been part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere programme.

The reserve has been part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere programme since 1977, when it was included alongside the neighbouring Collemeluccio reserve. The two form the "Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo" biosphere reserve, a model area for scientific research on the balanced relationship between people and environment in the Molise Apennines.

The reserve covers the northern and western slopes of Monte La Penna, from 900 m up to 1300 m, so trails climb steadily and good footwear matters. Access is from Vastogirardi, in the province of Isernia; the Vandra torrent, a tributary of the Volturno, drains the slopes below.

The reserve was a Bourbon hunting ground before the Italian state took it over; law no. 1376 of 1908 assigned it to the forest administration. Since 1977 it has belonged to UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere programme. The Turkey oak (cerro) grows on clay and marl soils and tolerates dry spells, while beech takes over with altitude, slope and microclimate.