The Castello di Verde Park, located in the hamlet of Valverde, is a natural and historical gem. Valverde, lying at the foot of the Apennines, has always played a crucial role in the trade routes between the Po Valley and the Ligurian Sea, thanks to its strategic position. Today, in addition to its history, Valverde is renowned for its extraordinary environmental heritage, protected and enhanced through the Parco di Interesse Sovracomunale (Park of Supra-municipal Interest).
The Castello di Verde Park offers an incredible variety of environments and landscapes that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the most unspoilt nature. Its vast forests, lush in every season, are home to a wide range of local flora and fauna. In autumn, the park turns into a favourite destination for chestnut and mushroom pickers, thanks to the presence of centuries-old chestnut groves and a wealth of undergrowth that favours the growth of mushrooms of different varieties.
The vegetation varies from the undergrowth rich in ferns and small shrubs to the imposing chestnut, downy oak and beech trees. This ideal habitat makes the park home to numerous animal species. Discerning hikers may encounter roe deer, squirrels, wild boar and foxes, as well as watch, with a bit of luck, sparrow hawks and buzzards soaring through the sky. The paths, immersed in this extraordinary fauna and flora, create a magical and relaxing atmosphere, perfect for those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The Valverde Park is criss-crossed by a network of trails that wind through breathtaking landscapes, ideal for those who love hiking and walking in the open air. Each trail is an invitation to discover not only the natural beauty of the place, but also its history. Some trails have a purely naturalistic value, leading visitors through dense wooded areas and open meadows, while others have a strong connection with the area‘s medieval past, linking the Castle of Verde to other defensive structures such as the castles of Varzi and Oramala.
These links are reminiscent of the times when these valleys were traversed by caravans of merchants and travellers who transported valuable goods between the hinterland and the sea along ancient routes. The Via del Sale and the Via Francigena, close to the Valverde Park, bear witness to this fervent past of commercial and cultural exchange.
One of the strengths of the Castello di Verde Park is the variety of its trails. The trail network is designed to offer routes suitable for all levels of difficulty and physical fitness. There are more demanding itineraries, ideal for experienced hikers looking for more intense adventures, as well as shorter and easier walks, perfect for families or for those who want to spend a day immersed in nature without tackling overly strenuous routes.
The proximity to ancient routes such as the Via del Sale and the Via Francigena is not only a reminder of history, but also an opportunity for modern hikers to retrace the steps of ancient merchants and pilgrims. These routes, rich in charm and history, link Valverde to places of great cultural and economic importance in the past. Along these routes, it is not uncommon to come across small villages, churches and fortresses that bear witness to the strategic importance of these lands over the centuries.
Today, the tourist offer of the Castello di Verde Park aims to enhance precisely this encounter between history and nature. It is not just a park to visit for its natural beauty, but a place that tells a centuries-old story, in which every path, every tree, every panoramic view has something to say about what has been and what, in part, continues to be.
