Riserva naturale Campolino, Nature reserve in Bagni di Lucca, Italy.
Riserva naturale Campolino is a protected area in the Tuscan mountains that spans a large forested zone. The terrain is mountainous and sits at elevations between roughly 1400 and 1800 meters (4600-5900 feet) where spruce forests and alpine plants grow.
Campolino was established through three ministerial decrees dated 26 July 1971, 29 March 1972 and 2 March 1977, covering 98 hectares in the municipality of Abetone Cutigliano. The reserve lies in the Serchio basin, and the Foce di Campolino at 1,785 m forms the watershed between the Scesta and Sestaione streams.
The name Campolino refers to the Foce di Campolino, the 1,785 m pass that marks the watershed between the Scesta and Sestaione streams, both tributaries of the Serchio. The reserve is known for an indigenous spruce population and for peat bogs with Eriophorum and sphagnum, where the carnivorous Pinguicula vulgaris grows. The adjacent Abetone forest botanical garden holds the same species.
Access is from State Road 12 dell'Abetone, where trails lead into the area and parking is available. Sturdy footwear is recommended due to the mountain terrain and changes in elevation.
Spruce trees grow here at their southernmost natural limit in Italy, a botanical phenomenon of this elevation. These forests are also home to several bat species that hunt in the tree canopy.
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