| Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga | |
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  Location of the National Park in Italy | |
| Nearest city | L'Aquila,Teramo |
| Coordinates | 42°29′N13°28′E / 42.483°N 13.467°E /42.483; 13.467 |
| Area | 1,413.31 km2 (545.68 sq mi) |
| Established | 1991 |
| Governing body | Ministero dell'Ambiente |
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TheGran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is a natural park in centralItaly. Established in 1991,[1] it covers an area of 2,014 square kilometres (778 sq mi), mostly within the provinces ofTeramo,L'Aquila, andPescara inAbruzzo, with small areas in the provinces ofRieti inLazio andAscoli Piceno inMarche. The terrain is predominantly mountainous with alpine plains.
It is managed by Ente Parco Nazionale Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, with headquarters inAssergi,L'Aquila.
The Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park runs through the park between theGran Sasso mountain peak and the chain known asMonti della Laga.
The park is one of the largest protected areas in Europe, and is centered around the massif of theGran Sasso, which dominates the surrounding landscape; it rises vertically on the immense pastures of theCampo Imperatore. The land is very rocky and receives a large amount of snow and wind. TheCalderone lies just beneath the tallest peak, theCorno Grande, and it is considered to be Europe's southernmostglacier. On the north side there is the profile of Monti della Laga chain, where thousands of migratory birds stop on the shores ofLake Campotosto. This area is completely covered by woods ofbeeches,firs,turkey oaks andchestnuts. There are over 200 kilometres (120 mi) of dedicated horse trails that can be used to visit the park.[2]
The park contains one of the most biologically diverse areas of Europe. The climate is between that of the Mediterranean and that of the rest of continental Europe. The park contains more than two thousand plant species, some of which are found exclusively in this area, such as theAbruzzo Edelweiss. Many species of wildlife inhabit the park, including rare animals such as the Abruzzochamois, as well aswolves, Marsican brown bear, roe deer, wildcats,wild boars, foxes andsquirrels. Notable birds include thegolden eagle, thewhite-backed woodpecker, thegoshawk, thecommon buzzard and theperegrine falcon. There are also a wide variety of insects, such as theapollo butterfly.[3][4]
The park contains a very long circuit of approximately 300 kilometres (190 mi) featuring trails that can be visited on horseback, by mountain bike, or on foot.
Many outdoor activities are possible within the park includinghiking,Horse riding,mountain biking,Canoeing,Bird watching,Alpine skiing,ski mountaineering, andCross-country skiing.
Educational projects are active in the park visitor centres, and trails and paths can be freely explored alone or with the assistance of mountain guides.[5]
Many old villages are located within the confines the national park. They tend to be quite small, with stone and brick houses and narrow streets. In many cases, the place names highlight the defensive nature of the settlement and a summit position, such as Castel (castle),Rocca, Pizzo (peak), and Colle (hill).
Assergi,Barete,Barisciano,Cagnano Amiterno,Calascio,Campotosto,Capestrano,Capitignano,Carapelle Calvisio,Castel del Monte,Castel Paganica,Castelvecchio Calvisio,L'Aquila, Mascioni,Montereale,Ofena,Pizzoli,Santo Stefano di Sessanio,Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi
Acquasanta Terme,Arquata del Tronto
Brittoli,Bussi sul Tirino,Carpineto della Nora,Castiglione a Casauria,Civitella Casanova,Corvara,Farindola,Montebello di Bertona,Pescosansonesco,Villa Celiera
Arsita,Campli,Castelli,Civitella del Tronto,Cortino,Crognaleto,Fano Adriano,Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia,Montorio al Vomano,Pietracamela,Rocca Santa Maria,Torricella Sicura,Tossicia,Valle Castellana.
Media related toGran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park at Wikimedia Commons42°31′36″N13°32′11″E / 42.52667°N 13.53639°E /42.52667; 13.53639
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