The Umbra Forest, the green lung of the Gargano

In the Umbra Forest there is one of the richest biodiversity places in Italy. This large forest is also called the “green lung”. It is located in the north of Puglia and is ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in unspoiled nature. The Umbra Forest is an expanse of greenery and embraces the municipalities of Vico del Gargano, Vieste and Monte Sant’Angelo. It extends to 830 m above sea level and consists of a heterogeneous habitat, which is very rare in Italy.

One of the places with the most biodiversity in Italy

The position in which the Gargano is located makes it one of the richest areas in biodiversity. This is due to the process that dates back to more than hundreds of millions of years ago. At that times the mainland began to emerge and the Gargano was only an island separated from the mainland. After joining the mainland, the Gargano has maintained its peculiar biodiversity thanks to the strategic and isolated position it had had during the morphological changes. This fact has largely limited the genetic pollution of the endemic species with those of the neighboring territories. The first populations settled in the Gargano as early as the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages. Local flora is characterized by the presence of the “Colossi della foresta” (colossi of the forest). The beech woods are so called, with their 350 years of age and 25 meters in height, make the lower part of the wood more shady. In 2017 the Apulian beech woods became a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site together with the already recognized Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo of Monte Sant’Angelo.

Orchids, the flagship flowers of the Gargano

The orchid blooms in the Gargano begin in April and end in late July. It make the landscape even more pleasing to the eye, adorning the iridescent green of the forest with bright colors such as: yellow, purple and blue. More than 89 different species of orchids have been found in the Gargano, including some rare ones that arose thanks to the almost isolated position of this territory. The widespread genus in the Umbra Forest is called Ophrys, which includes 60 species including:

• Ophrys lacaitae (present only in the Gargano)
• Ophrys barlia robertiana
• Ophrys apulic (endemic species)
• Ophrys garganica.

The fauna of the Gargano, to see and caress

Among the species present in the Gargano National Park we find the Garganico roe deer. It is a native species and symbol of the park, endangered due to climate change, but today in progressive increase. Among the other species are the wild boar, the weasel, the fallow deer (which often approaches tourists to be petted), the wild cat and the hare. The Gargano park is also ideal for birdwatchers. In fact, in the National Park there are over 150 species of birds of the 240 that nest in Italy, including 5 different species of woodpeckers and some of birds of prey: the sparrowhawk and the peregrine falcon. In the wetlands there are purple herons and wild geese, while in the more marshy areas there are some species of reptiles and amphibians such as the terrestrial turtle and the Dalmatian frog.

Foresta Umbra: two World Heritage Sites

Visiting the Umbra Forest is an absolutely must-do experience if you want to fully explore Puglia. We have created a list of trails starting from the easiest to the most difficult. Here is the list of treks to do in the Umbra forest. We recommend the itinerary that starts from Monte Sant’Angelo so you will visit another cornerstone of the Gargano: the Sanctuary of San Michele. You will also be able to admire the blue of the sea and the colorful green of the forest that merge into a single and pleasant panorama.