The Appiano Gentile and Tradate Pinewood Regional Nature Reserve

This large green belt between the provinces of Como and Varese, in a densely built-up area, originated when glaciers receded to the Prealpine valley above, depositing large amounts of differently stratified material. This material allows the growth and evolution of the special flora, some of it rare, which can still be seen today.

The vegetation in the Pinewood mainly consists of Scotch pines, broadleaf trees, common oak, locust trees, and rare flower species such as the martagon lily and the wonder violet. Among the numerous animal, there are squirrels, foxes, badgers, toads, frogs, the rare Lataste's frog as well repitles (the grass snake and asp). 90 species of birds live also here: kestrel, sparrow-hawk, tawny owl, green woodpecker, black woodpecker, marsh tit, chaffinch, nightjar, ...

The Pinewood is ideal for a pleasant walks or cycling excursions or horse rides.

In the neighbourhood of the pinewood there are the towns of Tradate, Vedano Olona, Venegono Inferiore, Venegono Superiore.