The Parco Nazionale del Gargano (Gargano National Park) is a national park in Apulia (It is entirely in the province Foggia), roughly speaking, it encompasses the entire Gargano- Peninsula with the exception of some localities and agricultural areas.
background
With 188,000 hectares, the Gargano National Park is one of the largest in Italy in terms of area; in the center it comprises the hilly and mountainous sections of the Gargano Peninsula, which are known as Foresta umbra are still covered by forest areas, partly agricultural areas with courtyards ("Masserien") with dry stone walls near the coast, coastal sections with partly sandy bays and between steeply sloping limestone cliffs with sea grottos and fresh or brackish water lakes and lagoons.
history
The region shows traces of settlement from the Paleolithic, in which people found shelter in the caves near the sea, from Greek and Roman times. Ruins from Byzantine times and later all epochs of the Middle Ages show that the Gargano has always attracted people as a living space. Because the terrain was impassable and a coastal resp. Access road along the coastline only in the 20th century. was completed, the main trade routes to the south of Apulia ran past the Gargano, which meant that the forest on the Gargano peninsula could be preserved.
In 1991 the park area was placed under protection, central areas (Area A) are completely closed to visitors and serve as a sanctuary for flora and fauna, in Area B there are strict animal and plant protection regulations, Area C is closed to motorized traffic and the areas D also accessible to motor vehicles without restrictions.
landscape
Central parts of the park area are hilly - mountainous and from the forest area of the Foresta umbra covered, in the extensive karst area there are no noteworthy streams or rivers, the rainwater seeps into the earth, partly in sinkholes (seepage craters) and it flows into the sea in an underground groundwater stream.
Flat parts and alluvial plains in the hinterland of bays are partly used for landscape purposes, in addition to agriculture, the cultivation of olives and oil production have always been of great importance in the Gargano.
In the north is the 24 km long and 2.4 km wide brackish water lake Lake Lesina a real lagoon with an average depth of only 70 cm, and the Lago di Varano, which was separated from the sea by a 10 km long sandbank and which is fed by fresh water sources. Numerous fish and eels feel at home in the brackish water. In the south at Manfredonia are the salt / brackish water swamps of the Lago Salso.
Flora and fauna
The vegetation is very species-rich due to the different biosphere in the park areas. 2000 species (35% of all plants occurring in Italy) have been identified on the Gargano Peninsula, some of which are endemic.
In the dune landscapes around the lagoons there are partly salt / brackish water plants (Salicornia), further inland Mediterranean garrigue plants, mastic (wild pistachio), myrtle, phillyrhea, juniper, rosemary, thyme, cistus and Christ thorn.
In the forest areas near the coast Aleppo pines grow, in the interior forests predominantly holm oaks, oaks, beeches, but also ash, elm and maple.
In the areas with agricultural use, olive trees dominate, but there are also almond trees, vineyards and wheat fields.
The Gargano Peninsula is known for the 80 different wild orchid species, including some endemic species.
With regard to the animal world, the occurrence of birds, from water birds to several species of birds of prey, is to be mentioned in the Foresta umbra, the Italian roe deer, deer and wild boar in addition to small mammals. An Appenine wolf is also said to have been seen. The monk seal on the Tremiti Islands belonging to the park area is considered to be extinct.
climate
The Gargano has a Mediterranean climate, due to the comparatively abundant rainfall on the peninsula, the landscape is greener than in the rest of Puglia, and due to the proximity to the sea the climate is bearable even in the summer months, which is why the Gargano peninsula is one of the holiday regions popular with Italians. It is most pleasant to hike in May / June and September; most holidaymakers prefer to spend the summer months near the beach due to the heat.
getting there
The nearest airport to be flown to from German-speaking countries is that of Bari, from there or from the airport Rome You then have to travel on from there in a rental car or by train.
You travel with them by train Frecce- Express trains on the Adriatic line of the Trenitalia above Foggia at.
The Ferrovie del Gargano supply the Gargano Peninsula with the lines Foggia - Manfredonia in the south and San Severo (from Foggia you have to take the regional train to this station, no express train stops) - Rodi - Peschici along the brackish lakes in the north, a third branch line leads from Foggia to Lucera in the hinterland. A bus network of Ferrovie del Gargano operates long-distance bus routes to get here and also goes to local places.
You travel by car from the Swiss border resp. from Milano on the 
to Bologna and from there on the Adriatic coastal highway 
(past the congested region of Rimini and the ferry terminal Ancona), from the national border at Chiasso a driving time of 8½ - 9 hours for the 830 km can be expected.
Coming from the north you can use the exit 
Poggio Imperiale-Gargano on the expressway 
direction Peschici drive.
You take them from the south Foggia can be reached on the winding coastal road "Garganica" 
above Manfredonia (here the end of the expressway expansion) circle the entire Gargano peninsula.
Fees / permits
Access to the park is free.
mobility
Numerous roads lead through the park area. On the well-developed expressways (SS693 towards Peschici in the north and SS89 Garganica, which is expanded to Mattinata, in the south) you can quickly get to the Gargano Peninsula, all main and secondary roads in the interior are winding and slow to drive, especially the ascent from the coastal road into the interior of the peninsula has to be due to the Difference in altitude with a number of switchbacks.
You can get on well on marked bike paths, in the interior of the Gargano in the Foresta umbra there are numerous hiking trails, the easiest way to get to the starting point is by private car, as bus connections are rare in the interior of the Gargano, if necessary you have to use a taxi.
Tourist Attractions
- The 1 Foce del Fortore flows into the sea after a few meanders west of Lake Lessina, here are bird breeding areas, on both sides of the mouth of the river there are pine groves. Near the coastal tower 2 Torre Fortore are popular beaches.
- 3 Lake Lesina, Centro Visita Lesina, Via Banchina Vollaro 147, Lesina. Tel.: 39 0882 707455, 39 328 0758563, Fax: 39 0882 707456, Email: [email protected]. The lake is approx. 24 km long and 2.4 km wide and, with a depth of 70 cm, is a real lagoon, which is fed by two navigable canals with sea water and by fresh water streams. The eastern and western ends are under strict nature protection, as is the dune island Bosco Isolathat separates the lagoon from the open sea.
- 4 Sentiero Duna di Lesina: from the access road to the seaside resort of Marina di Lesina there is an asphalt spur road, parking must be made at the bridge over the Canale Acquarotta, here is the info point. On hiking trails resp. On a slope you first turn north and after a picnic area you can walk up to the 5 Torre Scampamorte Hike (approx. 10 km) to the east.
- 6 Osservatorio ornithologico: from the road through the beach house settlement of Torre Mileto a slope leads to an observation hut of the Corpo Forestale, in the eastern section of the Lago di Lesina breeding birds can be observed here in spring.
- in the seaside resort Torre Mileto can the coastal tower 7 Torre Mileto be visited.
- the 8 Chiesa di Santa Maria di Monte d'Elio or Santa Maria di Devia dates from the 12th century, inside there are frescoes that are worth seeing. A picnic area has been set up by the church.
- the Lake Varano with its 10 km length is separated from the sea by a sandbank and fed by fresh water springs.
- on the east bank are the ruins of the 9 Idroscalo "Ivo Monti"Seaplane base from San Nicola Varano, near the church 10 Chiesa Santa Barbara dell'Idroscalo from the fascist era.
- the 11 Grotta San Michele (Grotto Chapel) has been visited by pilgrims since the Middle Ages as a place of worship of the Archangel Michael.
- on the east bank of Lake Varano is the 12 Crocifisso di Varano chapel, very close to ruins of the ancient city of Bayranum.
- the ruins of the coastal tower are located on an oxbow lake at the mouth of the Varano river, the connection between Lake Varano and the sea 13 Torre di Varano.
- In the Piana di Calèna are the ruins of the 14 Abbazia di Kalena was in 11./12. Century built in the Apulian-Romanesque style. After it was abandoned to decay in 1420, it is now being restored.
- from Promontorio di Monte Pucci, on which the 15 Torre Pucci there is a nice view. There is an underground burial site nearby and a trabucco, a fishing gallows, on the coast.
- between Peschici and Vieste is the underground tomb 16 Necropoli la Salata from the 4th / 6th Century, access is via the driveway to the Hotel Gabbiano Beach.
in the field of Foresta Umbra lie
- 1 Centro Visitatori Foresta Umbra, SP52bis. Tel.: 39 0884 708578. Information center for hikes in the forest area of the Foresta Umbra. Information leaflets and maps are available here that Museo naturalistico della Foresta Umbra informs about the flora and fauna of this national park section.
- nearby is the 1 Trattoria Foresta Umbra, drinks are offered here, toilets, in the area picnic areas under shady trees.
- On the other side of the street, a short circular hiking trail leads to the artificially dammed Laghetto d'Umbra, where water birds can be observed.
- A marked hiking trail leads from Laghetto d'Umbra to
- 17 Caserma Murgia and on to the small pond of 18 Cutino d'Otri.
- at the SP528 according to Vico that is 1 Rifugio Sfilzi, with a nice garden restaurant and guest rooms.
- of the SS89 goes to one 1 an asphalt road, you come to a Caserma del Corpo Forestale and continue on a slope to 19 Homo Morto and 20 Tacca di Lupo in the depths of the Umbra Forest.
on the southeast coast of the Gargano
- from the coastal road SP53 comes in 2 trail starting along the cliffs with a beautiful view of the Faraglioni's Baia del Zagare down to the beach in 1 Valle Vignanotica leads.
- of the SS89 (old course) goes shortly after Mattinata in the direction Vieste a paved road towards 3 Stingo from, from one 4 Parcheggio (Parking lot) with information board, a gravel road leads to the ruins of the abbey 21 Abbazia della SS. Trinità di Monte Sacro from the 13th century.
- above the coast at Mattinata is the burial ground of the 22 Monte Saraceno necropolisthat comes from the Daunier culture. 23 Access to the Monte Saraceno necropolis Access via a spur road from the SS89Dir1.
on the range of hills to Monte Sant'Angelo lie
- 24 Stauffer fort, Largo Roberto il Guiscardo, Monte Sant'Angelo. Tel.: 39 0884 565444, Email: [email protected]. The visitor center is at the Normanno-Stauffer fortressin Monte Sant'Angelo.
- The 25 Santa Maria di Pulsano Monastery was in the 6th century. founded, the Romanesque church dates from around 1177. The access is via the SP56, The last section of the road to the parking lot at the monastery is freely accessible during the day, all you have to do is press the "door opener" button on the gate at the entrance and it will open automatically. In addition to visiting the renovated monastery with the church, which is partly carved into the rock, hikes to hermitages in the rocky cliffs below the monastery and to the hamlet of Tomaiuolo can be undertaken from the parking lot .
- from the village 1 San Salvatore Various hiking trails are marked out, including one can get from here via Tomaiuolo to S. Maria di Pulsano.
- as 26 Grava di Campolato a karst depression is called, it opens at the bottom Abisso di Campolato
- of the SP58 S. Giovanni R. - Manfredonia, turn north on an asphalt road to access the27 Valle dell'Inferno to get. The 28 Valle dell'Inferno is a deep karst valley with steep walls, grottos and a natural rock arch into which a footpath leads.
In the vicinity of San Giovanni Rotondo, which is known for the pilgrimage site of Padre Pio
- the basin of the 29 Pantano di Sant'Egidio , in the oval basin of the former karst lake, the water stops and, as a wetland, attracts various birds. Nearby are the ruins of the former 30 ExConvento di Sant'Egidio located.
- From the San Giovanni Rotondo - Cagnano Varano road, at an information board, a footpath leads north through the forest up to the summit of the 31 Monte Calvello and on to a slope on which you can go to 32 Monte Calvo got. Alternatively, you can go to 33 Casa forestale hike.
- various walks arise from San Giovanni Rotondo on the 34 Monte Nero.
- 2 Visitor center karst formations, Fraz. Borgo Celano snc, San Marco in Lamis. Tel.: 39 0882 833865, Fax: 39 0882 076049, Email: [email protected]. at the Museo Paleontologico dei Dinosauri in the park information center provides information about the karst formations in the Gargano.
- the 35 Dolina Pozzatina between Sannicandro Garganico and San Marco in Lamis is the largest sinkhole, it is oval, measures 700 m in longitudinal diameter and is 100 m deep.
- on the road from Rignano Garganico towards Foggia/Manfredonia the road branches off to 36 Grotta Paglicci to the east. The cave is one of the most important prehistoric settlements in Italy and was frequented as early as the Paleolithic.
- in the 37 Palazzo Baronale Rignano (Baronspalast) shows an exhibition of finds from the cave and provides information about the history of the prehistoric site.
The Lake Lesina is approx. 24 km long and 2.4 km wide and with a depth of 70 cm is a real lagoon, which is fed by two navigable canals with sea water and fresh water streams. The eastern and western ends are under strict nature protection, as is the dune island Bosco Isolathat separates the lagoon from the open sea. In the south, the marshlands of Lake Salso also belong to it Manfredonia to the nature park area
- the 38 Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore di Siponto comes from the 11th / 12th Century, in the subsequent 39 archaeological site of Siponto there are remains of the Greek city, above the ruins of an early Christian basilica with three naves and a central apse, the silhouette was reconstructed with a metal frame and a fine metal net.
- 40 Centro Visita Oasi Lago Salso, Strada Provinciale 159, Manfredonia. Tel.: 39 0884 296109, Fax: 39 0884 296109, Email: [email protected]. Oasi Lago Salso visitor center, run by WWF.
- north one can see the drainage ditch at one 41 Pumping station cross and watch the birds in the wetland of Lago Salso from the north.
- A little further north, after crossing the Torrente Candelaro, you can see the marshland of the 42 Palude di Frattarolo bird watching is possible here, especially in the winter and spring months.
- Also the 43 Isole TremitiTremiti Islands belong to the nature park.
activities
shop
There are few shopping opportunities in the central park area, and there are plenty of shopping opportunities in all villages along the coastline.
kitchen
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
In all villages along the coastline, in Rodi, Peschici, Vieste, Manfredonia there are numerous hotels and pensions.
camping
Campsites can be found almost everywhere along the coastline, especially in the picturesque bays between Peschici and Vieste campsites and holiday villages alternate.
security
trips
literature
- Parco Nazionale del Gargano, leaflet and map, ital.
- Carta dei Sentieri Foresta Umbra, overview map with network of hiking trails
