1 – What is a protected area?

It is an area with a significant natural and environmental value that is protected and managed in order to preserve it for present and future generations. When you enter a protected area you are a guest of nature: bring waste back to valley when returning from excursions, do not pick flowers, insects and minerals that belong to the Park’s natural habitats, do not leave traces of your passage. (Regulation for the tourist use of the Park)

2 – Where is the Park entrance? How much do I pay?

The borders of the Park are not fenced: the five Park valleys can be visited free-of-charge (obviously in compliance with regulations) at any time and there is no entry ticket! In the Park, you can make excursions with Interpreters, walk along paths or visit the Paradisia Alpine Botanic Garden, the Copper Ecomuseum in Ronco and the Visitors’ Centres.

3 – Where can I see animals?

The Park area extends over more than 70,000 hectares, though it is not a zoo, observing animals is rather easy! Wildlife can already be seen in valley floors in winter and in spring, while in summer they move high to feed and be well nourished to face the long winter that is expecting them. Do not disturb them during this activity, so important for their survival in winter: observe them from a distance.

4 – Why can’t I take my dog in the Park?

Dogs cannot move freely in the Park, since they might meet wildlife that, though not directly attacked by the animal, might be subject to serious stress. Access to dogs is allowed, always on the leash, in the valley floors.

5 – Can I feed wild animals?

Foxes, marmots, ibex, chamois etc. must not receive your help, except in particular circumstances, though this might be considered as being kind to them. Wild animals could react, involuntarily, also aggressively or, any case, get used to the presence of man, thus losing their instinct and ability to find food, and breach the rules of natural selection. Do not try to get close to them, but observe them from far away, so that they can eat undisturbed!

6 – I would like to work for the Park, how can I?

The Park is a government controlled institution, the access to jobs is by means of a public competition; our recommendation is to check in the URP section if there are selections under way. For collaboration offers instead contact the specific services, for applications for volunteer activity and work experience, refer to the relevant sections in the website.

7 – Where can I camp in the Park?

Animals are sensitive to the presence of man. If people camp where they want, they disturb wildlife, damage pastures, favour the spread of waste. If you want to sleep in a tent in the Park you are welcome, as long as you use the specific campsites. Camping freely outside equipped areas is instead forbidden, for emergency reasons Alpine bivouac for just one night is allowed if there are no shelters in the area or they are full. Also caravans and campers must be parked in camps or in the specific equipped areas. (Regulation for the tourist use of the Park, Art.10)

8 – Is it true that constructions are forbidden in the Park area? What if I need to do works on my house?

Authorization from the Park Management is necessary for each building activity, work or manufacture in the Park area, under law 394/1991, that must be issued in maximum 60 days (with just one possible extension of 30 days). The procedures described in URP section must therefore be complied with.

9 - Wild boars damaged my property, how can I be reimbursed?

In the event of damage caused by wildlife to owned property in the Park area, an application for damage must be submitted to the valley offices of the competent surveillance service within 10 days from noticing damage to cultivations. If damage has affected domestic animals, in compliance with summer pasture rules of farmers, it is necessary to apply to the relevant Local Health Unit veterinary and the staff of the surveillance service of the relevant valley office within one day from the predation, and then submit a claim for damage within 20 days.