• Lombardy

• Regional Parks

• Alps - Po River Basin

Natural and Human Environment

Geographical Framework
The Orobie mountain chain is the first alpine chain you find when you climb the Lombardy plain and the prealpine chains towards the north.

Geology and Geomorphology
The formation of Alpi Orobie began about 20 million years ago, in the Miocene, during the folding process of the Alps, called Alpine Orogenesis. Most of the chain is formed by rocks of metamorphic origin: gneiss, micaschists, and phillites; sedimentary rocks outcrop only along the watershed: conglomerates and sandstones, like the "Verrucano lombardo", characteristic of the area of Pizzo dei Tre Signori.

Flora and Vegetation
At lower altitudes there are luxuriant broadleaf tree woods, while at higher altitudes conifer woods grow, favored by the northern exposure of the slope and by the abundant rainfall.

Fauna
Several animals typical of the Alps have found on Orobie their habitat.
You can sight roe deer, chamois, wild goats: the latter have been recently reintroduced.

History and Traditions
There are several evidences witnessing the importance of these mountains in the past, both for agricultural, sylvicultural, and breeding activities and for trade.