Wild green expanses, soaring peaks with the shimmering colours of the seasons and gushing water from waterfalls or in the placid alpine lakes
The territory
Wild green expanses, soaring peaks with the shimmering colours of the seasons and gushing water from waterfalls or in the placid alpine lakes. The Alta valle Antrona Natural Park is all this, and much more.
The Park covers 7,444 hectares in total including the Municipalities of Antrona Schieranco and Borgomezzavalle, in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. It starts from 500 metres at the valley floor, near Viganella, rising to 3,656 metres (11,995 ft) of Pizzo Andolla, in the upper Val Loranco valley, where the Swiss Zwischbergenthal and Saastal valleys converge.
The fascinating landscape of the valley was shaped first by the glacier and then by water: hence the deep gorge where the tumultuous waters of the Ovesca flow, but also the gentle green slopes dotted with villages. Lakes, both natural and artificial (hydroelectric reservoirs), enhance the rustic beauty of the area. There are four artificial reservoirs (Lake Cingino, Lake Campliccioli, Lake Camposecco, Lake Alpe dei Cavalli) and Lake Antrona, one of the rare natural dam lakes in the Alps, created by a huge landslide in 1642.
The park holds a great variety of ecosystems creating rich biodiversity. It is home to extremely rare and unique species. Also boasting an exceptional historical, artistic and cultural heritage, visible in the various traces and transformation of the territory. Both in the artistic and architectural treasures as well as in the traditions kept alive by the local population.
The Park is the result of an interesting project carried out by the local administrations, with the aim to create new opportunities for sustainable development.
