The National Park of the Gran Sasso
Founded in 1992, the National Park of the Gran Sasso is regarded as Europe’s showpiece for sustainable development, where the needs of urban and rural populations have been reconciled alongside the conservation of species and habitat. It stretches 100 Km² to include 4 water systems.
Flora & Fauna Biodiversity
Home to over 2,000 different species of flora & fauna, the Gran Sasso Mountains are a photographer’s delight in their display of seasonal colours & interesting textures. On the lower slopes of the mountains are the Roman planted Oak & Chestnut woods, Bilberries (commonly known as Blueberries), an ideal environment to a delicious array of Fungi & Truffles for those that like foraging. Higher up there are Beech and Wild Cherry woods, Mountain Maple, Yew, wild orchids and the rare Silver Fir.
A Naturalist’s Delight
Through sustainable tourism and ensuring that green & protected areas are indeed that, the Gran Sasso Mountains are still home to over 500 species of animal including the endangered Apennine Wolf, Wildcat, Chamois. There are the more common red deer, roe deer, wild boar, porcupines and Snow Vole and of course with the smaller mammals come their natural predators including Golden Eagles & Eagle Owls. If you are very very lucky you may get to see a Marsican Brown Bear but don’t put on any bets on that, they are very shy and hardly surprisingly are fearful of humans.
Blue Flag Adriatic Beaches
Just a short 40-minute drive means not only can you push your toes into sand and swim in clear green Adriatic Waters, but it also means if you are feeling lazy an excellent fish lunch is almost on the doorstep at the beaches of Pineto, Roseto or Guilianova.
Downhill & Cross Country Ski-ing
If you fancy a day or weekend ski-ing in Abruzzo, a 40-minute drive from Bascianella upwards to higher altitudes leads you to the ski resorts of Campo Imperatore, Campo Felice & Prati di Tivo.
