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Nature Reserves in Italy

Discover

Nature Reserves in Italy

Nature Reserves in Italy

Nature Reserve Guide

Italy is home to more than 200 nature reserves, which protect a significant portion of Europe's biodiversity. These protected areas span the country's diverse geography, from the alpine landscapes and dramatic Dolomite peaks in the north to the dense forests of the Apennines and the rugged Mediterranean coastline. The terrain within these reserves includes high-altitude plateaus, verdant valleys, and coastal cliffs, offering a wide range of environments. The extensive network of trails supports numerous outdoor activities, primarily hiking, cycling, and mountaineering.

Nature Reserves in Italy

This list of nature reserves in Italy aggregates more than 32,000 routes for activities like hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling. More than 1,944,000 visitors have shared their experiences, contributing to an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Among the best nature reserves in Italy, the Dolomites feature prominently, with areas like Naturpark Fanes-Sennes-Prags - Parco Naturale Fanes-Sennes-Braies offering over 90 distinct hiking routes. Nearby, Parch Natural Pöz-Odles - Naturpark Puez-Geisler - Parco Naturale Puez-Odle provides varied terrain for mountaineering and cycling. South Tyrol's largest protected area, Naturpark Texelgruppe - Parco naturale Gruppo di Tessa, contains a diverse high-alpine landscape with routes for all abilities. These reserves are managed to conserve natural ecosystems while providing access for human-powered recreation.

34962

Routes

4.4

(238040)

Average rating

2M+

Explored with komoot

Last updated: April 23, 2026

4.6

(11766)

157,679

hikers

#1.

Parch Natural Pöz-Odles - Naturpark Puez-Geisler - Parco Naturale Puez-Odle

Parch Natural Pöz-Odles is a Dolomites nature reserve with dramatic peaks and varied terrain, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and mountaineering.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(9604)

101,592

hikers

#2.

Parch Natural Pöz-Odles - Naturpark Puez-Geisler - Parco Naturale Puez-Odle

Parch Natural Pöz-Odles - Naturpark Puez-Geisler - Parco Naturale Puez-Odle is a Dolomites nature reserve offering diverse terrain for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking routes.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.7

(11628)

100,828

hikers

#3.

Naturpark Fanes-Sennes-Prags - Parco Naturale Fanes-Sennes-Braies

Naturpark Fanes-Sennes-Prags - Parco Naturale Fanes-Sennes-Braies is a South Tyrolean nature reserve with diverse Dolomite landscapes for hiking and cycling.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.7

(11707)

99,793

hikers

#4.

Naturpark Fanes-Sennes-Prags - Parco Naturale Fanes-Sennes-Braies

Naturpark Fanes-Sennes-Prags - Parco Naturale Fanes-Sennes-Braies is a Dolomites nature reserve with dramatic peaks, high plateaus, and diverse terrain for hiking and cycling.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(8158)

54,322

hikers

#5.

Naturpark Texelgruppe - Parco naturale Gruppo di Tessa

Naturpark Texelgruppe - Parco naturale Gruppo di Tessa is South Tyrol's largest protected area, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and mountaineering across its high alpine landscape.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.7

(7998)

54,236

hikers

#6.

Naturpark Texelgruppe - Parco naturale Gruppo di Tessa

Naturpark Texelgruppe - Parco naturale Gruppo di Tessa is South Tyrol's largest nature reserve, offering diverse alpine terrain for hiking, cycling, and mountaineering routes.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(6781)

49,867

hikers

#7.

Naturpark Drei Zinnen - Parco Naturale Tre Cime

Naturpark Drei Zinnen - Parco Naturale Tre Cime is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Dolomites, offering diverse terrain for hiking, cycling, and mountaineering.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(5944)

38,723

hikers

#8.

Naturpark Schlern-Rosengarten – Parco naturale dello Sciliar-Catinaccio

Naturpark Schlern-Rosengarten – Parco naturale dello Sciliar-Catinaccio is a UNESCO World Heritage site in South Tyrol, offering diverse routes for hiking and cycling.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(6187)

34,534

hikers

#9.

Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn - Parco Naturale Vedrette Di Ries-Aurina

Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn - Parco Naturale Vedrette Di Ries-Aurina is a South Tyrolean nature reserve with diverse alpine landscapes for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.7

(5611)

31,409

hikers

#10.

Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn - Parco Naturale Vedrette di Ries-Aurina

Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn - Parco Naturale Vedrette di Ries-Aurina is a South Tyrolean nature reserve with high mountains, glaciers, and diverse water features.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.4

(3398)

26,300

hikers

#11.

dell'Adda Nord Natural Park

dell'Adda Nord Natural Park in Lombardy offers diverse terrain along the Adda River for cycling and hiking, featuring riverbanks, woods, and historical sites.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(4021)

25,597

hikers

#12.

Parco naturale dell'Adamello-Brenta

Parco naturale dell'Adamello-Brenta is Trentino's largest protected area, offering diverse terrain from Dolomites to glaciers for hiking, mountain biking, and cycling routes.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.4

(2331)

24,012

hikers

#13.

Riserva Naturale Torbiere Del Sebino

Riserva Naturale Torbiere Del Sebino is a highly protected wetland of international importance at Lake Iseo, offering diverse terrain for hiking and cycling routes.

Hiking

Running

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(2878)

23,832

hikers

#14.

Parco Adda Nord

Parco Adda Nord is a nature reserve along the Adda River, offering diverse terrain for hiking, cycling, and running routes. Its varied landscapes provide numerous outdoor activity options.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(3005)

22,279

hikers

#15.

Parco naturale Paneveggio - Pale di San Martino

Parco naturale Paneveggio - Pale di San Martino is a Trentino nature reserve offering diverse terrain for hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, and jogging.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(3006)

21,585

hikers

#16.

Parco Del Mincio

Parco Del Mincio is a protected natural area in Lombardy, Italy, offering diverse landscapes and over 100 routes for cycling, hiking, mountain biking, and jogging.

Hiking

Running

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(1203)

20,631

hikers

#17.

Parco naturale Spina Verde di Como

Parco naturale Spina Verde di Como is a hilly nature reserve bordering Switzerland, offering diverse woodlands and varied terrain for hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking routes.

Hiking

Running

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.4

(1343)

20,573

hikers

#18.

Parco dei Colli di Bergamo

Parco dei Colli di Bergamo is a diverse nature reserve framing the city, offering over 5,000 hectares of hills, forests, and valleys for hiking and cycling.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.2

(3413)

19,716

hikers

#19.

Riserva Naturale Del Fondo Toce

Riserva Naturale Del Fondo Toce is a 360-hectare wetland reserve at the Toce River and Lake Maggiore confluence, offering flat terrain ideal for cycling and hiking routes.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(2189)

18,779

hikers

#20.

Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime

Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime offers diverse outdoor activities across its rugged peaks, deep valleys, and alpine lakes, with routes for hiking, cycling, and more.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

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Most popular routes in Italy

Road Cycling Routes in Italy

Nature to explore in Italy

National Parks in Italy

Frequently Asked Questions

What are nature reserves in Italy?

Nature reserves in Italy are protected areas established to conserve specific natural habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity. They range from the alpine environments of the Dolomites to the Mediterranean coasts. This page aggregates over 270 of these reserves, featuring more than 32,000 routes for outdoor activities.

What activities are available in Italy's nature reserves?

The primary activities in Italy's nature reserves are hiking, cycling, and mountain biking. Many reserves also offer routes for trail running and mountaineering. The varied terrain supports a wide range of human-powered outdoor sports across thousands of documented trails.

Which are some of the most notable nature reserves in Italy?

Notable nature reserves, particularly in the Dolomites, include Naturpark Fanes-Sennes-Prags - Parco Naturale Fanes-Sennes-Braies, known for its diverse landscapes, and Parch Natural Pöz-Odles - Naturpark Puez-Geisler - Parco Naturale Puez-Odle, which features dramatic peaks. South Tyrol's largest, Naturpark Texelgruppe - Parco naturale Gruppo di Tessa, also offers extensive high-alpine terrain.

What kind of hiking is available in Naturpark Fanes-Sennes-Prags?

The Naturpark Fanes-Sennes-Prags - Parco Naturale Fanes-Sennes-Braies offers a wide range of hiking opportunities across its Dolomite landscape. There are over 90 distinct hiking routes available, traversing high plateaus, verdant valleys, and areas around iconic peaks. The trails cater to various difficulty levels, from gentle walks to challenging alpine treks.

What are the trail options in Parch Natural Pöz-Odles - Naturpark Puez-Geisler?

Parch Natural Pöz-Odles - Naturpark Puez-Geisler - Parco Naturale Puez-Odle provides a network of trails with varied terrain suitable for multiple activities. The reserve contains over 60 hiking trails, nearly 20 mountaineering routes, and numerous paths for mountain biking and road cycling. The routes navigate the dramatic limestone peaks and alpine meadows characteristic of the Dolomites.

Are there family-friendly routes in Italy's nature reserves?

Yes, many nature reserves in Italy contain routes suitable for families and beginners. For example, Naturpark Texelgruppe - Parco naturale Gruppo di Tessa includes a mix of trails for all abilities across its high-alpine landscape. It is advisable to check the difficulty and elevation details for specific routes before setting out.

What is the terrain like in Naturpark Texelgruppe?

As South Tyrol's largest nature reserve, Naturpark Texelgruppe - Parco naturale Gruppo di Tessa features a diverse high-alpine landscape. The terrain includes high peaks, lakes, and waterfalls. The trail network consists of over 80 hiking routes and numerous paths for cycling and mountaineering, ranging from easy valley walks to strenuous high-altitude treks.

What is the difference between a nature reserve and a national park in Italy?

In Italy, both are protected areas, but they differ in scale and purpose. National Parks are large areas of national significance for conservation, recreation, and education, managed by the state. Nature reserves are often smaller and established to protect a specific habitat, species, or natural feature. Komoot also provides information on National Parks in Italy.

Are there mountain biking trails in Italy's nature reserves?

Yes, many nature reserves in Italy offer designated trails for mountain biking. For instance, Naturpark Drei Zinnen - Parco Naturale Tre Cime, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has diverse terrain suitable for mountain biking. The routes vary in difficulty, from gentle gravel paths to technical singletrack.

When is the best time to visit nature reserves in the Italian Alps?

The main season for hiking, cycling, and mountaineering in the alpine nature reserves, such as those in the Dolomites, is from late spring to early autumn (approximately June through September). During this period, most trails are free of snow and mountain huts are typically open. Winter offers opportunities for snowshoeing in some areas.

What types of landscapes are found in Italian nature reserves?

The landscapes are highly diverse, reflecting Italy's varied geography. In the north, reserves in the Dolomites feature jagged limestone peaks, high-altitude plateaus, and alpine meadows. Central Italy has reserves with dense beech forests and Apennine peaks, while coastal reserves protect rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and Mediterranean scrub.

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