The rugged Abruzzi National Park is located in the central Appenines, around 130 miles from the Italian capital of Rome. On both sides of the entrance to Italy s second oldest national park is a stone tower adorned with a drawing of a seated bear, the Park's mascot. The Park, which covers an area of 44,000 hectares, is noted for its rugged and inhospitable scenery. There are vast, dark forests and steep mountain slopes where wolves, brown bears and chamois roam. The winter here is harsh and comes unexpectedly.
Wooden stakes mark the narrow mountain paths, which are just wide enough for a snow plough.
In the winter these paths are hidden by snow and can only be travelled by following the wooden stakes. On this nature reserve man and animal live side by side in harmony. The mountain slopes are host to all kinds of wild animals, while people live in the valleys. The Abruzzi National Park is divided into four sectors. Some are entirely off-limits to people, whereas in others one can even build a house.