Biking in the Park of Lagoni di Mercurago
Italiano
These sign boards will lead you through the park along the equipped itinerary for mountain bikers in the natural park of Lagoni di Mercurago.
You can reach the path "Stra' Canevra", either facing a steep slope of 300 m, which starts from the park seat, or from the residential area, named "Ranch 67", in Oleggio Castello. If you choose the last way, at once you can observe the original typical mixed woods of "Parco dei Lagoni", rich in oaks, chestnuts, pine trees and birches.
"Stra' Canevra" flancks the morainic ridge which includes "Motto Lagone", a modest height (330 m) where the homonymous necropolis, dated VI-V century BC was found (culture of Golasecca).
Following "Stra' di Sell", you'll get to "Lagone", the largest pool in the park, which is placed at about 2,5 km from the start. It's the naturalistic heart of the protected area and site of ancient settlements (lake-dweller station of the Bronze Era, XVIII-XIII century BC).
Here you can stop and take a look at the board, which summerizes the most important features of this precious humid area. This site facilitates birdwatching. Using binoculars and keeping silent, you could observe herons, wild ducks, grebes and many other birds.
Following the path "Stra' d'la Buscarola" you'll flanks the grass-land named "Turbera" for about 1 km, admiring thoroughbreds, which are bred here according to a centenary tradition.
The next slight slope crosses "Stra' nova dal Pinin"; then you'll find an artificial pine woods (Pinus strobus) on your right, while you can notice mixed woods, mostly with chestnuts, on your left: an interesting comparison for a careful naturalist.
If you turn left at the first crossing and then right, you will descend towards meadows and stables of "Montaccio", another station for race-horse breeding.
Since the beginning walk you'll have covered 5 km approximately. Now you'll skirt the park border and then reach a 300 m slope. The second half of the itinerary develops along "Stra'dal Muntasc", where you can meet different typical species of trees. After having crossed the private road "Camotto" you'll pass through two little hills, the one on the right was once a military settlement. Eventually you'll cross "Stra' di Lagon", which starts from Dormelletto, then descends again to "Lagone", from where you can get back to the starting point.
In every office of the parks we have a detailed map of this itinerary, in English, German and Franch. Please ask for it, it's cost only 50 cents!
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Last updated: November 30th, 2004