The Foresta Umbra represents only a small section (almost the 13%) of the original forest Nemus Garganicus, (often named by Latin poets) which once covered all the Gargano surface. There are two hypothesis about the origin of its name: according to someone it comes from the ancient population of Umbri (a prehistoric tribe of the Celtic branch), who in ancient times inhabited the forest, according to others, instead, the name comes from Latin and means “gloomy, shady”.
With its 10.500 hectares of woods in the north-east area of the Promontory, elevation that reaches 832 m. above the sea level of Monte Iacotenente and drops till 165 m. in the area Caritate, the Foresta Umbra is one of the larger broad-leaved formation in Italy and Europe.
The most singular and extraordinary aspect of the forest is that the Beech starts to be found already at very low levels, 300 m. above sea level, instead of 800-1.000 m. as in the rest of the world, and then develops up to higher levels, by creating one of the most beautiful Italian Beechwood.
The presence of this species, generally associated with the mountain (between 900 and 1900 m. on the Apennines) in such a southern region and at a such low level (so that they are named “depressed beechwoods”), it’s due to singular climate issues of the whole promontory.
Stretching to the Adriatic Sea, the Gargano is exposed to cold northern winds, full of humidity from the sea, which generates a cooler climate and diminishes drought seasonal periods of the Mediterranean climate The Foresta Umbra is considered the heart of the Gargano National Park, also because here there have been made the first protection “experiments” by the State Forestry Corps starting from 1886.
In addition to the safety aim, the State Forestry Corps enhanced also the recreational and educational activities, by organizing also school trips. In order to foster tours, the State Forestry Corps realized 14 paths, all of them easily walkable by foot.
At the beginning of each path there are signs which inform on length, the starting and arriving points and the journey time. In the Foresta Umbra there is also an info point with a visitors welcoming office. Connected to this, there is also a Naturalistic Museum made by more areas, as the one dedicated to the flora, the archeologic one, where you can see a series of artifacts, dated back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages, and an area dedicated to the fauna of the Gargano, with more than 200 stuffed animals living in the park.
Outside you can see a sample of a woodcutter’s house.
ITINERARIES
NATURALISTIC ITINERARY: “FORESTA UMBRA: THE GREEN HEART OF GARGANO” from “BARACCONI” area to “CARITATE” area
PATH LENGHT: 12 km
JOURNEY TIME: 5 hours (Planned stop have been foreseen in order to favor the full body efficiency)
DIFFICULTY: T = Touristic (it consists of itineraries on small routes, mule tracks and easy, visible paths, that do not present uncertainties, difficulties or orientation problems. Those kind of itineraries are also suitable for hikers on their first experience).
NATURALISTIC ITINERARY: “FORESTA UMBRA: THE BIOGENETIC RESERVE” from “VILLAGGIO UMBRA” to “VILLAGGIO UMBRA” (circular path)
PATH LENGHT: 14 km
JOURNEY TIME: 5 hours and 30 minutes (Planned stop have been foreseen in order to favor the full body efficiency)
DIFFICULTY: T = Touristic
NATURALISTIC ITINERARY: “ FORESTA UMBRA: THE ITALIC TRITON” from “CASERMA SFILZI” to area “BARACCONI”
PATH LENGHT: 18 km
JOURNEY TIME: 7 hours (Planned stop have been foreseen in order to favor the full body efficiency)
DIFFICULTY: T = Touristic
NATURALISTIC ITINERARY: “FORESTA UMBRA AND THE PATH OF ORCHIDS” form “COPPA DEL SACRAMENTO” to “MASSERIA RIGNANESE”
PATH LENGHT: 16,8 km
JOURNEY TIME: 7 hours (Planned stop have been foreseen in order to favor the full body efficiency)
DIFFICULTY: T = Touristic
NATURALISTIC ITINERARY: “FORESTA UMBRA: THE LAKE AND THE FOREST” from “D’UMBRA LAKE” to “D’UMBRA LAKE” (circular path)
PATH LENGHT: 5,2 km
JOURNEY TIME: 3 hours (Planned stop have been foreseen in order to favor the full body efficiency)
DIFFICULTY: T = Touristic
NATURALISTIC ITINERARY: “FORESTA UMBRA: FOREST’S SPRINGS”
“FONTE DEL CARPINO” (circular path)
PATH LENGHT: 7,5 km
JOURNEY TIME: 3 hours (Planned stop have been foreseen in order to favor the full body efficiency)
DIFFICULTY: T = Touristic
NATURALISTIC ITINERARY: "FORESTA UMBRA: LE CASERME FORESTALI" from “D’UMBRA LAKE” to “CARITATE” (through Ginestra Superiore and Ginestra Inferiore)
PATH LENGHT: 24 km
JOURNEY TIME: 9 hours (Planned stop have been foreseen in order to favor the full body efficiency)
DIFFICULTY: T = Touristic
MEETING POINT: FORESTA UMBRA