The morainic lakes



San Michele

Campagna

Sirio

Pistono

Nero

This predominantly hilly area with a mild climate and fertile terrain is particularly interesting in terms of its geology, natural environment and fauna; these unique qualities have encouraged the co-existence over the centuries of numerous animal and vegetable species and man. In fact, a number of archeological finds show that there were settlements here in the pre-Roman era. The microclimate allows typical plants from cold zones to flourish alongside plants usually grown in warmer climates, forming an ideal habitat for some species of toads and butterflies that have disappeared from the rest of Italy. Although man's presence is clear from the widespread terracing on hills used for farming and partly for vineyards and orchards, there are still numerous wooded areas where you can walk for hours, or enjoy bicycle or horse rides along the paths linking these morainic lakes: San Michele at Ivrea, Campagna at Cascinette, Sirio between Ivrea and Chiaverano, Pistono at Montalto Dora and Nero between Montalto Dora and Borgofranco d'Ivrea.

Information:
Laboratorio Territoriale di Educazione Ambientale, tel. 0125 410327; Associazione Accompagnatori Naturalistici "Tracce", tel. 0125 617613; Gea s.r.l., tel. 0125 615815