Natural Reservation of Collemeluccio

How to reach it: From Isernia we reach the state forest of Collemeluccio driving on the road Trignina for 15 kilometres to the junction of Pescolanciano, then on the state street 86 Histonia and, finally, the provincial street Trignina to Pietrabbondante. After 6 kilometres, we get into the forest from the bridge on Salcitano. The reservation has an extension of 654 hectares, an altitude between 792 and 1075 m, the slope is mild and the soils, of calcareous brown type, derive form an ancient miocenic formation, made of sandstones, schale clays and marly limestones. The climate is mild in summer, freezing in winter, with snow persisting for a couple months.
Flora: The silver fir is an endemic species vegetating on middle altitudes; the Turkey oaks and the maple are on lower altitudes and the beech on higher altitudes. The underwood is composed of hawthorns, blackthorns, hazels, and pears, apples, plums, sorb and laburnum on higher altitudes.
Fauna: The forest is crowded with wild boars, foxes, hares, badgers, weasels, stone martens, squirrels, loirs, buzzards, barn owls and owls; quite numerous are ringdoves, jays, turtledoves, blackbirds, woodpeckers and other sparrows. There are also some species of snails, like Elice pomazia. Among the reptiles, water snakes, vipers but also amphibians like toads, green lizards and, finally, lizards. Trout and river crawfish crowd the river Trigno and the last part of the Salcitano stream.
Facilities: At Collemeluccio refuge there is an organised area for picnics and free time, and are also available maps and other materials. In the visitors centre at Montedimezzo are kept archive acts and flora- fauna samples which represent protected areas in Molise. Near the Fontecupa source can be seen remains of a water mill while the archaeological site of Pietrabbondante is only 4 km away.
The access in the reservation is allowed for reasons of study and vigilance. So, guided visits are a rule and can be required at Ufficio Amministrazione dell’Ex Azienda di Stato per le Foreste Demaniali di Isernia, in Via Bellini n. 8/10, phone: +39 08653935, fax: +39 0865413491, or else at the Comando Stazione Forestale in Montedimezzo, phone/fax: +39 0865940134