Gressoney

The Alta Valsesia became a national park in 1979 and is the highest park in Europe.

The territory it covers starts at 1000 metres in the Rimella and Fobello valley, reaching 4559 metres at the Regina Margherita Observatory hut, which is perched on the Gnifetti peak on the mountain Monte Rosa.

Part of the territory is covered by glacier and barren rocks, so it is only lower down that there are natural pastures and woodland of larch and various other tree varieties. Most of the animals in this parkland have their natural habitat here.

This is one of the first areas in Italy that has attempted to encourage mountain tourism while keeping the rich landscape, art and culture intact and over the years it has acquired and restored old buildings there which have today become the park huts. These present a perfect opportunity for excursions of all kinds and are an ideal base for the observation of park life and for walks in the mountains.