Stelvio National Park – Lombardy: alpine valleys, glaciers and high-altitude nature. The Stelvio National Park is one of the oldest and largest protected areas in Italy. Its Lombard portion extends into the province of Sondrio, touching the valleys of Valfurva, Valdidentro, Valdisotto and Bormio. The landscape is dominated by high peaks, forests, pastures and glacial valleys, in a natural setting that preserves a rare and precious balance. ⛰️ Peaks, glaciers and extreme environments: In the heart of the park rise the peaks of the Ortles-Cevedale Group, with altitudes exceeding 3,500 meters. Glaciers, moraines and snowfields shape a high-altitude landscape where nature resists time and harsh climate. It is a fascinating environment, where silence is part of the panorama. 👉 Tip: Take the Valfurva Glaciological Path to walk next to moraines and tongues of ice, with views of spectacular peaks such as Gran Zebrù and Cevedale. 🌲 Forests, animals and alpine biodiversity: At lower altitudes, the landscape becomes green: larch, fir and pastures are home to a very rich fauna. Among the most easily observed animals are deer, chamois, ibex, marmots, golden eagles and black grouse. Natural cycles follow one another with strength and rhythm. 👉 Tip: In autumn, visit the Uzza area at dawn – it's one of the best places to listen to the roar of deer during mating season. 🥾 Hiking trails and huts: The park is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained trails, leading to huts, alpine lakes, and viewpoints. The routes range from easy walks to challenging crossings at high altitude, passing through ancient mule tracks and historic passes. 👉 Tip: Reach the Forni Refuge starting from Santa Caterina Valfurva: an accessible excursion that introduces you to the high mountain environment. 🏛️ Historical memory and traces of the Great War: The Stelvio Park preserves clearly visible remains of the military lines of the First World War: trenches, mule tracks and high-altitude fortifications tell a harsh story engraved among the rocks. Today some of these places are accessible and enhanced by thematic itineraries. 👉 Tip: Follow the Tibetan Bridges Trail above Bormio to combine nature and history in a truly unusual landscape. 🧀 Alpine pastures, refuges and authentic flavours: The gastronomic tradition is also part of the landscape: in the refuges and in the huts you can find typical products such as bitto, bresaola and alpine cheeses, accompanied by polenta and hearty dishes of Valtellina cuisine. 👉 Tip: Stop in a mountain hut between Val Viola and Val Lia for a snack of genuine products, surrounded by pastures and silence. The Stelvio Park is a wide-ranging environment, where the mountain shows itself in all its forms: austere, generous, fragile and powerful.