Riserva naturale dell'Orrido di Foresto, Regional nature reserve in Val di Susa, Italy
The reserve spreads across roughly 360 hectares between Bussoleno and Susa, featuring deep gorges carved by the Rocciamelone stream into limestone cliffs alongside dry grasslands. The terrain offers a mix of steep cliffs and flatter areas with varied plant life.
The area served as temporary settlements for nomadic shepherds during the Bronze Age, as archaeological findings confirm. Later, monuments dedicated to the goddesses Matrone were discovered, pointing to continued spiritual practices in this region.
Limestone cliffs have been quarried since ancient times, and the slopes once supported vineyards and livestock grazing. This long history of land use has shaped the landscape you see today and shows how people have worked with this terrain for centuries.
The area is crossed by a good network of marked hiking trails suited to different skill levels. The sunny exposure and limestone ground make visits comfortable even during colder months.
The reserve contains one of the few known populations of prickly juniper trees in the Alpine region, concentrated mainly near the villages of Crotte and San Giuliano. These trees represent a species that rarely forms such large groups elsewhere in the mountains.
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