The Nature Park of the Mercurago Great Lakes south of Arona stretches over the moraine hills surrounding Lake Maggiore on the Piedmont shore. The protected area combines several sections of woods, a few pastures for horse breeding and the Mercurago peat bogs. However, this area’s peculiarities are associated with rich aquatic flora and the presence of 113 different bird species including nesting birds, wintering birds and birds of passage.
The Mercurago Great Lakes: the park
The species most frequently encountered in the woods (which occupy three quarters of the park area at an altitude of 230—330 metres) are typical of the native oak-tree woods, prevalently English Oak, Sessile Oak, Common Hornbeam, Ash and Common Alder. Invasive plants include the White Pine, Pitch Pine and Black Locust in addition to an artificial pinewood (approximately 30 hectares). The undergrowth includes acidophillic vegetation (mainly the hazel and elder tree). The woods form a centre crown, which includes a peat bog with marshes and ponds of glacial origin. Some are slowly being filled in.
Themed paths have been organised in the park and have signs so visitors can surround themselves with nature for a few hours on fairly simple strolls (also great for children). A bike-pedestrian itinerary has also been organised for sporty individuals.
History of the Park of the Mercurago Great Lakes
The Park of the Mercurago Great Lakes was established in 1980 on an initiative by the people, with the precise intent to protect the moraine hills of Lake Maggiore. However, the history of this protected area is much older as indicated by the discovery of settlements dating back to the Bronze Age, and to several Roman domus.
The park is currently managed by the Ente Parchi del Lago Maggiore (park board), which coordinates naturalistic and archaeological research in an area filled with finds, brings the woods back to an ideal balanced state (to this end it is also involved in surveillance), and promotes and enhances the knowledge and respect of the park also through didactic initiatives in collaboration with schools.
When to visit the Park of the Mercurago Great Lakes
Every season has specific weather conditions reflected in the park, making the landscape truly unique. The anemones bloom in March painting the undergrowth white, in May it is the turn of the locust trees, in the summer the woods offer refuge from the heat, in autumn they provide mushrooms and chestnuts, and in the winter, an icy surface entertains skaters. Moreover, the park is the ideal refuge any time of the year for several wild and migrating animal species.
A curiosity: the Great Lakes are the only place in the world where it is possible to see the Crepidotus roseoornatus, a specific mushroom species discovered in 1983 which evidently has found the ideal habitat here. The Centro Visite in Mercurago (a hamlet of Arona) has various types of detailed information about the park: brochures, magazines, maps, videocassettes, an accurate ornithological guide and naturally, the rules and regulations to follow during your stay in the protected area.
Photo gallery Nature Park of the Mercurago Great Lakes
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