A mountainous Alpine area, on the west side of Lake Maggiore, including the following valleys: Val Grande, Val Pogallo, Val Cannobina and the south side of Val Vigezzo. The area is almost uninhabited, and comprises one of the largest wildernesses in the Alps. It is mainly covered by broadleaved woodlands (beech Fagus), with coniferous woodlands, alpine grasslands, streams and rocky areas also present. The only current land-use is nature conservation.
Key biodiversity
The area is rich in breeding species of forests and mountains, including raptors, gamebirds, owls and woodpeckers.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
There are no major threats. There was a LIFE-funded project (1994-1996) to prepare a management plan for the National Park.
Protected areas
National Partial International Partial12,210 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Val Grande, 12,210 ha). 2,410 ha of IBA covered by State Nature Reserve (Monte Mottac, 2,410 ha). 973 ha of IBA covered by State Nature Reserve (Val Grande, 973 ha). 973 ha of IBA covered by Integral Nature Reserve (Val Grande, 973 ha). 11,856 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Riserva Naturale Monte Mottac e Val Grande, 11,856 ha).
