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Chianocco Ravine Reserve

Ultimo aggiornamento: Aug. 8, 2024

A treasure chest of wild holm oaks in Piemonte

The Chianocco Ravine Nature Reserve, the smallest of the protected areas managed by the Cottian Alps Parks, was established by the Piedmont Region in 1980 to protect the only certainly spontaneous station of Leccio (Quercus ilex) in Piedmont.

It extends for 36 hectares, upstream from the town of Chianocco, including the ravine, the upper varix and a stretch of the Prebèc stream up to the Molè hamlet. The ravine, in particular, is a deep and spectacular incision about ten meters wide and about fifty meters deep, dug by the torrent into the carbonate rocks.

The Prebèc rises at 2400 meters above sea level where it releases huge moraine deposits giving rise to the "Gran Gorgia", a deep "V" shaped incision of inconsistent and crumbling material which periodically causes landslides and dangerous floods down to the valley floor. The valley of the stream, above the Reserve area, offers unusual landscapes and interesting environments where it is possible to observe numerous erosion phenomena such as the characteristic erosion pyramids called "Chouqué" (bell towers) near the Margritt and Molè villages and the impressive works carried out by humans to counter them.

Identity card

  • Land surface area (ha): 36
  • Region: Piemonte
  • Province: Torino
  • Municipalities of the Reserve: Chianocco
  • Institution: Regional Law n. 34 of 02/05/1980
  • Official List of Protected Areas: EUAP0366
  • Managing Body: Ente di gestione delle aree protette delle Alpi Cozie
  • Tax code: 94506780017

The Park headquarters is in Bussoleno (TO) in via Massimo D'Azeglio, 16 - Tel. 0122.47064 - 011.4321015, info.alpicozie@ruparpiemonte.it

The Regional Law No. 15 of 26.03.1990 regulates the "Rules for the use and enjoyment of the Orrido special nature reserve and Leccio di Chianocco station" and is applied in coordination with the subsequent Regional Law No. 19 of 2009 and amendments "Consolidated text on the protection of natural areas and biodiversity"

Download the Reserve brochure

L'Orrido di Chianocco e l'omonima Ferrata sono CHIUSI - determinazione dirigenziale n.58 del 11 marzo 2020 - ordinanza sindacale n.3 del 11 marzo 2020, Comune di Chianocco

 

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