The WWF Oasis of Valpredina: an enchanted natural refuge

Outside Bergamo

08 May 2024

Hidden among the gentle hills northeast of the city of Bergamo you will find the Valpredina Oasis, a biodiversity jewel that offers a breath of unspoilt nature just a few kilometres from the city.

This wonderful nature sanctuary, managed by WWF Italy, covers an area of over 90 hectares, providing a precious shelter for a wide range of plant and animal species.

The Valpredina Oasis – History

The establishment of the Valpredina Oasis Nature Reserve took place in 1983 thanks to the donation of Mr and Mrs Bardoneschi, who entrusted the entire 37-hectare family property to WWF Italy. Over the years, the oasis has continued to grow, arriving at its current 90 hectares.

Since 1985 it has been declared a Regional Nature Reserve, for its forest and landscape interest and importance. Since 2008, it has also been part of the European ‘Natura 2000’ ecological network, being recognised as a Site of Community Importance.

The Oasis – where it is and how to get there

The Valpredina protected area is located in the Bergamo Pre-Alps, near the municipality of Cenate Sopra, about 20 km from the city of Bergamo. It stretches between Mount Misma, which belongs to the Mountain Community of the Bergamo Lakes, and Val Seriana.

If you are getting there by car from Bergamo, you can choose to drive along the SP37 in the direction of Gorle and Scanzorosciate and then take Via Collina Alta, driving past agritourisms, small churches and farms, or the SS671 towards Trescore Balneario, where you can turn and then follow the directions to Cenate Sopra.

What to see in the Valpredina WWF Oasis

It is a natural reserve that can be experienced in many ways:

as a day dedicated to the observation of animals and plants,
for a challenging hike to its highest point at 1160 m.a.s.l. (metres above sea level),
or just to enjoy a pleasant walk in the woods.

To explore the oasis, which is crossed by the Predina stream, you can follow an easy loop trail equipped with information panels. Along the main itinerary, which can be covered in about 1 hour and a half, there are several points of interest, such as:

the butterfly garden,
several small lakes and ponds,
the organic vegetable garden,
picnic areas,
the medicinal plants area and an area dedicated to wildlife.

In fact, the WWF oasis is also home to a Centre for the Recovery of Wild Animals (Centro Recupero Animali Selvatici – CRAS), which gives shelter to animals that are unable to live in the wild due to injuries or diseases – here they are treated and then reintroduced into the forest.

Wildlife and birdwatching

The Valpredina WWF Oasis is a true paradise for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Here, among centuries-old oak forests, flourishing meadows and crystal-clear ponds, a multitude of bird species can be spotted, from the common titmouse and robin to more unusual diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey, such as the peregrine falcon and the golden eagle. Photography enthusiasts will have the opportunity to take breathtaking images of the local wildlife in an unspoilt natural environment.

But the Valpredina WWF Oasis is not just a paradise for birds. Its thriving forests offer shelter to a rich variety of mammals, including the wild boar, the fox, the badger and the roe deer. The well-marked trails that cross the area allow visitors to explore their surroundings at their own pace, surrounded by the peace and serenity of nature.

In spring, the meadows of the Oasis explode in vibrant colours as a multitude of wildflower species bloom, creating a breathtaking sight for the eyes and a paradise for bees and butterflies that feed on their nectar.

Activities in the surrounding area

The Valpredina WWF Oasis is located in an area of great scenic beauty, where it is also possible to carry out some medium-difficulty trekking.

The main points to visit along the trails are the Cà Pessina astronomical observatory, located at an altitude of 530 metres above sea level, and the Cà Muratori site, located at 750 metres above sea level, and then continue on to the summit of Mount Misma, from which you can enjoy a wonderful landscape with the Orobian Alps on one side and the Po Valley on the other.

When to visit the Valpredina Oasis

Access to the trail is permitted every day from March to November. Visitors can choose to access it with the use of an audio guide, which you have to book in advance, while for groups with a minimum of ten participants, a guided tour can be organised. At the Oasis it is also possible to organise school trips, aimed at developing educational programmes, and to participate in thematic lessons created ad hoc.

In order to visit the Valpredina WWF nature reserve and oasis, it is necessary to respect certain rules and standards of behaviour, such as respecting the peace of the place – it is therefore prohibited to make noise or to shout.

It is also forbidden to walk outside the marked trails, and it is not possible to enter the reserve with dogs, even if they are on a leash. There is also a year-round ban on lighting fires.

For more information and to make your reservation, please visit the official website.