Exploring the Lucanian Apennines-Val d’Agri-Lagonegrese National Park.
If you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in the authentic nature of Basilicata, there’s one place you absolutely can’t miss. Established in 2007, the Lucanian Apennines-Val d’Agri-Lagonegrese National Park is Italy’s youngest national park, a veritable treasure trove of biodiversity.
This stunning protected area serves as a green “bridge” between two other giants of Italian nature: the Pollino National Park and the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park. Its territory stretches from the imposing peaks of Mount Volturino and Mount Pierfaone to the majestic Sirino massif, embracing in between the gentler curves of the Maddalena, the mountain range that shelters the upper valley of the Agri River.
Flora: A Mosaic of Woods and Forests
The park’s landscape is characterized by rich and varied vegetation, which changes in appearance depending on the altitude:
- At lower elevations: evergreen oak forests and thermophilic woodlands dominate, where downy oak, white hornbeam, ash, and manna ash thrive.
- As you climb higher, the panoramic view gives way to dense oak forests and majestic mixed beech forests, enriched by holly, Lobelio maples, and silver firs.
- A gem not to be missed: the picturesque and rare remnant fir forest of Laurenzana.
Fauna: The Realm of the Wolf and the Otter
The Lucanian Apennines National Park is the ideal refuge for countless wild species. If you love wildlife watching, this area is sure to surprise you. Among the park’s most famous inhabitants are:
- The Apennine wolf, a symbol of Italy’s most majestic wildlife.
- The otter, which has found its ideal habitat along the Agri River.
- Wild boars, which inhabit the dense forests of the valley.
🐻 An extraordinary fact: A Marsican brown bear has even been spotted along the park’s trails, a testament to the incredible ecological value and excellent state of conservation of this nature reserve in Basilicata.
