Gran Paradiso National Park
Gran Paradiso is one of the oldest national parks located in Italy. He took his place in the Graian Alps. The foundation stone of this reserve was given back in 1856 by Victor Emmanuel II, who proclaimed the Gran Paradiso a royal hunting reserve. The main reason for the creation of a reserve on these lands was an alarming signal related to the disappearance of Alpine ibex, the number of which was reduced to one hundred heads.
In 1922, the heir to the king, Victor Emmanuel III, founded the very first Italian nature reserve here. At that time, the number of mountain goats was more than 4,000 individuals. But, despite the laws, poaching flourished here and soon these animals significantly decreased. In the 1940s, there were only 400 of them. Now their numbers are gradually increasing. The territory of the Gran Paradiso Park covers 703 km2. It is a mountainous area with a peak of the same name. Here, about 40 percent of the earth is completely untouched by humanity. Most of the park consists of wastelands and meadows, slightly less is occupied by pastures, and approximately the same area belongs to forests and glaciers. Mountain ranges are surrounded by rivers everywhere. On average, the reserve is located at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, although there are points where its elevation is recorded at more than 4,000 meters.
The flora of the Gran Paradiso Park is distinguished by a rather rich flora. There are both rare and endemic plant species present here. Native plants also perform a strengthening function, preventing landslides, floods and avalanches. The woodlands, which occupy about 9% of the territory, are represented by coniferous and deciduous trees. A significant part of the mountains is occupied by European beech, and a fairly large area from below is occupied by chestnut forests. Beautiful landscapes are created by alpine pastures, which are decorated with a variety of wildflowers. In late spring, this area is simply stunning with the variety and aroma of wild plants, among which lilies, pansies, gentians are worth noting. There is also a botanical garden in the Gran Paradiso Park, where you can admire the rarest plant species.
In addition to the aforementioned mountain goats, in the reserve Badgers, marmots, hares, numerous foxes, ferrets and many other animals feel quite well in the Gran Paradiso. Approximately one hundred species of birds have chosen this territory as their home. Here you can meet partridges, golden eagles, woodpeckers, hazelnuts, as well as winter bullfinches.
It is very easy to get to the Grand Paradiso National Park, as the expressways of France and Switzerland lead in this direction. Guests of the reserve will have plenty to do, because there are different tourist routes developed here, which include cycling and ski trails, as well as hiking trails. Here you don't have to worry about spending the night and eating, because living rooms and restaurant complexes are developed in this territory. The French Vanoise National Park borders the park, and together they form one of the largest protected areas in Western Europe.
