Monticchio Lakes

The environmental system of Vulture High Bradano provides for many opportunities for excursions in direct touch with nature: from visiting the preserved areas to climbing on mountain tracks; from trekking by bike to horse riding along mule tracks in the parks; from bird watching to the mere contemplation of the beautiful landscape dominated by the massive presence of an extinguished volcano. Thanks also to a scarce density of population the area still maintains a rich natural heritage, with thick woods as, for instance the one of Forenza. This forest, more than 2500 hectares wide, is ideal to explore. For fans of birdwatching the water avi-fauna around Monticchio's lakes, in Rionero territory, proves to be particularly interesting. This one is very suitable also for mountain biking, thanks to the many dirt tracks.
Another stop deserves San Fele with Pierno Mount ( 1268m. a.s.l.), north westward of Lucano Apennines, whose unusual skyline, together with the cone shaped one of Santa Croce (1.407), dominates Vitalba's Valley. The west mountainside, at whose foot a Sanctuary rises, is made of massive Dolomitic limestone walls and the prevailing vegetables are beech trees.
But the fauna as well is especially rich: among mammals are frequent the fox, the stone marten, the marten and the badger. Finally another stop can be in Ruvo del Monte, in Bucito's Wood, in the WWF oasis with the info point.