NAT GEO - Explorer-Inspired Hike Through A Unesco Beech Forest

OVERVIEW

This small-group tour begins in Oriolo Romano, a tiny village where a glimpse into nature awaits. Lace up your boots and escape the city with a hike through the forest. Your National Geographic Expedition Guide, who is also a specialized hiking guide, will lead you into the heart of a UNESCO-protected beech forest – drenched in vibrant hues, this forest is part of a global treasure: the “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests”, spanning across 18 countries and celebrated by UNESCO for their ecological importance. What makes this hike unique? You're walking among some of the tallest beech trees at this altitude, a phenomenon celebrated by experts like Alfredo di Filippo, a botanist, and National Geographic Explorer. These trees defy the norms, thriving in the rich, microclimatic conditions made possible by the nearby Lake Bracciano. This makes Monte Raschio's forest a rare "depressed beech wood," flourishing at an altitude where beeches are seldom found. Your Expedition Guide will bring the forest to life with specialist knowledge about the flora and fauna that make this ecosystem so extraordinary. But there's more to this forest than just its trees. It's a sanctuary for creatures like the Rosalia Alpina, an endangered beetle under the protection of the European Union. After your trek through the leafy beech canopy and the relaxed return down Monte Raschio, Oriolo Town offers a perfect spot to reflect on the natural wonders you've just experienced. Mingle with the locals at a traditional Italian cafe and sample some local produce from the area.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Oriolo Romano's ancient forest on Monte Raschio, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's oldest beech forests.
• Gain insights from a National Geographic Expedition Guide, who is also a specialised hiking guide, into the rare microclimate of Oriolo Romano, a treasure trove of unique flora and fauna.
• Hear about the project funded by the National Geographic Society aimed at exploring these trees and their importance.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable hiking shoes.