The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is one of the three national parks in Abruzzo and one of the largest protected natural reserves in Italy. The park’s territory is mostly mountainous, with more than twenty peaks reaching over 2,000 meters above sea level. The park’s geographical location, its reliefs, and the variety of landscapes create a surprising richness both in terms of flora and fauna.
The forests cover about half of the mountainous territory of the park with numerous types of woodlands, such as oaks, poplars, chestnuts, beeches, and birches, which create wonderful landscapes with varying colors through the different seasons. The southern slope of Gran Sasso is home not only to extensive grazing areas but also open fields, saffron crops, olive groves, and vineyards.
Natural aspects are not the park's only beauty; it also stands out for the perfect harmony between nature and urban settlements. Inside the park, there are several fortified villages and towns that, thanks to their unique architectural and cultural characteristics and their gastronomic and folkloric traditions, are truly special places.
The park boasts more than 2,000 plant species living in different environments. As for the fauna, it is home to Abruzzo chamois, deer, roe deer, and the Apennine wolf, as well as many rare birds of prey such as the golden eagle, the eagle owl, and the peregrine falcon.
