Woods
of the Lagoni di Mercurago park
Red path (about 12 Km long)
About three quarters the surface of the Park is covered by woods that, even if degraded by the human activities and by the cyclone of 21st July 2003, clearly preserve the characteristics of the original oak wood with predominance of Oak, Birch, Pine on the hills and black Alder in the humid areas.
All along the marked path it is possible to see (if you are lucky and skilled) some specimen of the typical wild fauna of this environment like: Squirrels and small Rodents, Hares, about eighty different species of Birds living in the wood or into small open areas, Amphibious, Reptiles, common Invertebrates and quite exceptionally some Stone Marten, Weasel or Fox.
This path starts from "Stra' di Valett" and, through a zone in which the oak wood is clearly visible but also the "robinieto", it reaches first "Stra' di Pianel da Gatic" and then the "Sente' di Busch": the Robinia is competing for the available areas with the Oak. Other species like the Chestnut, Birch, wild Cherry tree and Linden are also present.
The first part of the "Sente' di Busch", not included in the marked path, allows to admire the best specimen of Pine, Oak, Birch, Chestnut trees and most of all robinie. It is probably the most interesting area of the protected zone but, unfortunately, also the most devastated by the 21st July '03 cyclone.
The "Sente' di Busch" has to be followed till the crossing with "Stra' di Pianel from Gatic" where it is necessary to turn left, to follow for short distance the "Sente' dal Mótt" and the "Stra' di Sell"; then the "Sente' dal Foss" and finally the "Sente' dal Custon". The latest one crosses an area of heath where Oak is becoming rare, the Birch is acting as a pioneer and different species of Pine are present.
Later on, along "Stra' d'la Buscarola" and "Stra' Nova dal Pinin" the path is surrounded by two completely different wooden areas: on the right one artificial pinewood, where the quietness of the area suggest to rest or to follow an alternative path; on the left the typical mixed forest, with nice specimen of big Oaks and Pines.
Along "Stra' from the Muntasc" are clearly visible the effects of the unregulated human actions (before the Park came along); where Chestnut wood and Robinia are together, but some specimen of Oaks are also present.
The last part of the path ("Stra' di Lagon ", "Sente' dal Mótt" and "Stra' di Valett") leads back to the starting point through a zone in which, with the exception for the area around to the Lagone, only the high trunk Robinia is present (spectacular its blossoming in Spring) in the neglected areas.
The vegetation of the undergrowth is dominated by the Hazel, the Elder but also Fern, Brugo, Blueberry, May flower, Luzula spp., Lily of the valley, Pervinca, Fern female, Briar, Barnacle, Anemone nemorosa are present. Important is the presence of species totally protected like the Gentiana pneumonanthe and the Osmunda regalis.
Approximately 150 the species of fungi taken are accounted for like the endemic Crepidotus roseoornatus.
Translated by Stefano Rossi
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This page has been updated on January 10th 2005