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The Gesso and Stura River Park is made of some 11.000 acres dedicated to sports, leisure activities, education and cultural events.
Upstream it joins the Natural Park of the Maritime Alps. It is a real “green network” of cycle and pedestrian paths – about 62-mile long – that runs across the entire park.
To fully enjoy the nature and beautiful landscape, some routes have been prominently marked as suitable for hiking or cycling. Notice boards and plenty of information are offered to the visitors to let them discover the territory and its natural and historical features.
Special activities are also organized for schools.

Water is the main protagonist, with 37 miles of the Gesso Torrent and the Stura River flowing through ten local municipalities: in addition to that of Cuneo – the Park managing body – Borgo San Dalmazzo, Castelletto Stura, Centallo, Cervasca, Montanera, Roccasparvera, Roccavione, Sant’Albano Stura, and Vignolo.

Historically, the very location of the town of Cuneo was chosen precisely due to its near fresh watercourse, vital for the first industrial installations and for irrigation. That water is still extremely useful today, especially when it comes to supporting several animal and plant species present along the banks of the rivers.
As a matter of fact, the different environments of the park are populated by hundreds of animal species: as many as 114 different types of birds, 25 of mammals, 9 of amphibians, 8 of reptiles, 53 of diurnal butterflies, as well as a remarkable number of insects and other invertebrates.

The park is made of different ecosystems that ensure a healthy balance between the river environment and the human activities practised for centuries. The prevailing habitat is the woodland which hosts oaks, locust trees, and ashes; the plain wood of Sant’Anselmo and Bosco dell’Impero are absolutely amazing.
The rest of the territory is covered by crops, meadows, vegetable gardens and riparian vegetation with alders, black and white poplars, as well as willow trees.

In the park, there are several buildings of historical and cultural interest such as sanctuaries, chapels, mills, villas, and farmhouses. The Municipality of Cuneo promotes recreational and educational initiatives for adults and children: excursions, celebrations, workshops, sporting events, conferences and exhibitions on topics related to the Cuneo river area.

An ideal destination for sports lovers, the park also offers a 4-season track for cross-country skiing but also running, horse racing, roller skating, football, tennis, beach volleyball, mountain biking, cycling, swimming, fishing, hiking and Nordic walking facilities.
At Basse di Stura, there is also the Cuneo canoeing centre “Le Basse – non solo acqua”: a great facility for learning in the waters of the Stura di Demonte River; there is also a practice wall for enthusiast climbers.

Municipal Sports Facilities Management – Roero Sports Center
Via Parco della Gioventù 2 – 12100 CUNEO
Tel. +39.0171.602132
www.centrosportivoroero.it/index.php?site=2

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)