• Parks
    • Active & Green

Groane Park Lombardy

Settled close to the cities the park is marked by its moorlands and some important historical villas

Groane Parkwhich covers over 3,400 hectares, occupies the most continuous and important semi-natural terrain of the Lombard high plains north west of Milan.

The last forests of great oaks and towering pines stand protected between houses, buildings and industries. The old ruins of industrial kilns mark the landscape with their brick walls. The ancient aristocratic villas that dot the landscape with their gardens serve as a reminder of the past.

The Regional Park was founded in 1976 through the concerted efforts of Lombardy's cities and regional government. Since 1984 a spatial plan has been instituted that regulates the use of the areas, to create a harmonious balance between nature conservation, agriculture and tourism. The nature reserves found here have been named sites of Community interest. All of these wonders are located within the confines of the city, amid the swarm of traffic and the bustling rhythm of urban life. The park also has a series of bicycle paths, which allows the locals to stay in touch with nature, without having to leave the city.

Groane Park is a moorland area of peculiar geological interest, consisting of clay "ferritized" shelves that harbour the park's unique environment and flora. The moors are vast grasslands, characterised by a small shrub, known as Calluna, a variety of heather that explodes in late-August with lush pink blossoms. The pine forests are sparsely populated mostly with Scots pines, especially in Cesate, which was planted by the forestry commission in the 18th century. The oak forests are the most mature forests in the park, with their mighty English oaks and durmast oaks, with the alternating presence of birch, maple, hornbeam, with ash trees in the cooler corners of the woods. The most interesting species of wildlife that call the park their home include the fox, squirrel, woodpecker, dormouse, kestrel and the long-eared owl.

The park also encompasses many sites of historical and artistic interest, such as the hamlet of Castellazzo di Bollate, the Valera di Arese mansion, Villa Borromeo in Senago, the Cascina Mirabella farmhouse in Lentate sul Seveso and the traces of industrial archaeology.

On the same topic

Lombard Park of the Ticino Valley

The territories along the blue river are populated by excellences of fauna and historical beauties
  • Parks
Lombard Park of the Ticino Valley

Natural Parks in Lombardy

A landscape dominated by agriculture to be covered also by bicycle along the network of cycle paths
  • Parks
Natural Parks in Lombardy, suggestions on what to see

Six things to do with children in Lombardy

Museums, Indiana Jones-style adventures and school farms. Discover Lombardy for children
  • Parks
Vista di Grosio

Monza Park and its green Giants

  • Parks
Parco di Monza

North Grigna Park

The Lake of Lecco on one side and Valsassina on the other of the Park to determine the wealth of habitat and fauna
  • Parks
Parco della Grigna Settentrionale

The mills and the river olona

A path to fully understand the life of the river, which from a natural element becomes strength at the service of man.
  • Parks
The Mills and The River Olona

Regional Park of Mount Netto

Among woods that host monumental plants and agricultural areas cultivated with wheat, barley and corn
  • Parks
Monte Netto Regional and Agricultural Park

Valchiavenna Discovering the Giant s Kettle

  • Parks
Marmitte dei Giganti Park, Nature in Lombardy

South Milan Agricultural Park

A green belt around Milan that includes municipalities, with protected areas, itineraries, many initiatives and events
  • Parks
Sud Milano Agricultural Park

Lodges in Lombardy

  • Parks
I migliori rifugi in Lombardia

Mount Barro Natural Park

Up and down along the paths of Mount Barro to admire the marvelous panorama of the surrounding lakes and mountains
  • Parks
Parco del Monte Barro

From Lake Ceresio to Lake Maggiore through Valcuvia

  • Parks
Valcuvia

Park North Milan

The green lung of Milan: woods, meadows and fresh springs
  • Parks
North Milan Park

In Monza for the Foliage

From the Villa Reale Gardens to the monumental trees in Monza Park, find the best corners to enjoy the foliage.
  • Parks
Foliage Parco di Monza

Regional Park of Serio

A full immersion in the fluvial environment of the river Serio discovering wetlands of great naturalistic interest
  • Parks
Regional Park of Serio

Sunday at Mincio Regional Park

  • Parks
Sunday at Mincio Regional Park

Appiano Gentile and Tradate Pinewood Regional Park

A plain-forest, lively and rich in naturalness, in forestry, agricultural and social activities
  • Parks
Appiano Gentile and Tradate Pinewoods Park

Montevecchia and Curone Valley Regional Park

Sources, meadows and woods as well as a dozen paths to visit the park far and wide
  • Parks
Regional Park of Montevecchia and the Curone Valley

The Marmitte dei Giganti in Franscia

  • Parks
The Marmitte dei Giganti in Franscia

Alto Garda Bresciano Park

With an area of about 38,000 hectares, the park is positioned between lake Garda and mountains
  • Parks
Alto Garda Bresciano Park