VISIT TO GARGANO NATIONAL PARK JEEP – UMBRA FOREST SAFARI
Distance Peschici – Foresta Umbra: 28 km.
The Gargano National Park was established in 1991,covers 118,144 hectares (one of the largest protected areas)and the four Tremiti Islands (marine reserve) are also part of it. The heart of the Gargano National Park is the Umbra Forest, which, at about 15,000 hectares, is among the largest deciduous forests in Italy.
Delving into its recondite recesses is tantamount to a journey back in time: the Forest, the Nemus Garganicum often mentioned by Silio Italico, Ovid, Strabo, Virgil, Horace, and Lucan, is the most important remnant of the primitive millennia-old forest and owes its name of Umbra to the fact that the sun’s rays can hardly penetrate it.
This ‘biological island surrounded by the sea and the Tavoliere plain, just on this 0.7 percent of the national territory, is home to about 33 percent of Italy’s plant species and breeds 170 of Italy’s 237 species of nesting birds.
On foot, it is possible to walk through the forest for miles following the countless trails and enjoying the many rest and picnic areas. Inside you can find a lovely refreshment place where you can refresh yourself with tasty food.