SHARRYLAND
The Nature Reserve Cropani Micone
A wonderful beech forest transcolating into a pure white spruce forest, a botanical rarity at these latitudes
Where is
An intact forest in the heart of the Serre
The reserve is located in Mongiana territory and protects the 235 hectares of a precious forest area in the Vibonese sector of the Calabrian Serre. The protected area lies between 920 and 1087 meters above sea level in the high basin of the Allaro River, which with its tributaries animates the valley. The climate is quite particular, Mediterranean in character and therefore generally temperate, but with winters that at altitude give rise to even heavy snowfall. The fauna is varied : from the wild boar, the most easily perceivable presence in the penumbra of the forest, to the unmistakable imperial raven that, with outstretched wings, stands out in the sky.
Trails and attractions around the forestry barracks
The reserve is served by the Mongiana-Laureana provincial road that crosses it for a long stretch from east to west. The landmark of the visit is the multi-purpose center of Villa Vittoria, a state-owned structure that has been present since 1914 and is now the headquarters of the Carabinieri Forest ali who manage the reserve as well as the starting point of a series of educational trails. The center's amenities include a botanical garden, a nursery and a herd of Murgese horses used by the Foresters in patrolling the territory.
Climbing to higher altitudes, chestnut, beech and silver fir trees.
At the lower elevations of the reserve is the chestnut belt , a witness to the time when the cultivation of these plants played a significant role not only in the local economy but also in the diet of the locals. Higher up, the prevailing habitat is the beech forest, which with its large expanses in an almost primordial state represents the most secret soul of the Serre. Completing the botanical picture is theabetina, or pure white spruce (Abies alba) forest, what is called a botanical relict of colder eras, the most valuable presence in these mountains.
Sambuco Lake, the pearl of the forest
Not far from the center of Villa Vittoria, the forest opens into the lovely Sambuco Lake, an artificial reservoir with apicnic area, frequented in the summer especially by those who climb to the Serre in search of refreshment, without, however, forgetting its fire-fighting function for the water supply of the planes used by the Fire Department.
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