Riserva naturale Valle del Freddo, Regional nature reserve in Province of Bergamo, Italy
Riserva naturale Valle del Freddo is a protected regional nature reserve spanning across elevations between 350 and 700 meters in Lombardy. Underground channels release cold air through surface openings, creating specialized growing conditions throughout the valley.
A botanist first recorded the exceptional plant life in 1939, discovering alpine flowers growing at unusually low elevations. Scientific research later identified more than 160 plant species thriving within the reserve.
The name refers to the cold air that emerges from below, shaping how people experience the valley and its environment. Visitors often notice how this natural coolness creates a distinct feeling throughout the walk.
Visits happen only on weekends and holidays from May through July, typically with group guides leading the way. Good footwear and advance planning help make the most of your time in this hilly terrain.
The valley hosts alpine plants that normally grow only at much higher mountain elevations. This surprising collection of rare species develops because of the site's remarkable natural cooling system.
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