Riserva naturale

Area protetta ed ambiente

Surface: 1500 hectares
Altitude: 750 - 2388 meters above sea level
Environment: mountain area

The Nature Reserve is located within the "Conca di Oropa", an area located between 750 and 2388 meters above sea level, surrounded by forests where beech, mountain maple and ash trees predominate at the lower altitudes, and laburnum and rowan trees are found at higher altitudes. Between 1600 and 1700 meters above sea level, one can find plenty of mountain pines (Pinus Uncinata) of anthropic origin. Recent floral research made it possible to ascertain the presence of at least 800 species thanks to the variety of environments. The wildlife is alpine and includes marmots, stoats, alpine hares, white partridges, black grouses, chamois, roe deer, squirrels, beech-martens, weasels and foxes, in addition to eagles, black woodpeckers, red partridges, wall woodpeckers, alpine choughs and ravens. In the valley, the flora includes specimen of alpine knotweed, Bellflower (Campanula excisa), and Lousewort (Pedicularis cenisia), while the rocky areas host the rare yarrow. The Oropa Valley is of glacial origin, modeled by Alpine glaciers and with time it widened and took on its typical U shape.

PARKS AND GARDENS - BOTANICAL GARDEN (A)

The Oropa botanical garden hosts approximately 500 species of plants in a vast green area of 20,000 square meters. In addition to a natural beech forest, one can enjoy the typical environments of the Biella mountains (spontaneous flora) such as high-altitude peat bogs and some rocky gardens where mountain plants from around the world are grown (ornamental flora).
Opening hours (non-stop): from May to September from Tuesday to Sunday (August every day) with non-stop hours from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For more information: Phone +39 015 2523058 - www.gboropa.it.