Sasso Malascarpa
The Natural Reserve of Sasso Malascarpa is an element of great importance in the Regional Forest Corni di Canzo, covering for more than half of the territory (223.85 ha) of the Mountain Community Larian Triangle (CO), the municipality of Canzo, and a small portion of the village of Valbrona. It corresponds to the wide headboard of the valley of the Ravella river (left tributary of the River Lambro). It is limited to the north by the massive limestone of the Corni di Canzo and to the south from the ridge Sasso Malascarpa - Monte Cornizzolo. Elevation ranges from 550 m (Valley Ravella) to 1.372 m (Western Corno peak).
The visitor can admire the typical environment of the Pre- Alps limestone of Lombardy, characterized by the alternation of natural forests of deciduous (hornbeam, ash excelsior , mountain maple, oak and beech), the artificial reforestation of conifer (spruce, Japanese larch and pinus excelsa) which testifies the silvicultural activities of the 50s, with the suggestive cliffs of the Tre Corni, the Cepp de l'Angua and the Sasso Malascarpa.
Around the ancient rural villages of the Prim'Alpe (given in concession to the environmental education activities) and Terz'Alpe (at the state building operates an agrotourism) there are preserved large tracts of grassland of great value.
Furthermore, features of great natural value are: the Sasso Malascarpa itself, which is rich in fossils Conchodon, the "plowed fields" and "petrifying Sources "; numerous studies on the evolution of natural vegetation and bats were also carried out.
The forest has a high fruition value (estimated 100,000 visitors per year) thanks to a highly developed network of trails, built in agreement between ERSAF and CAI Canzo, which includes among others the Low Geological Trail, one of the most popular hiking trails in Lombardy and the High Geological Trail of recent construction.
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