Peeled Mountains Nature Reserve | Discovering the 'Red Mountains'

The area, one of several Nature Reserves managed by the Metropolitan City of Turin, covers an area of about 146 hectares included in the territories of the municipalities of Baldissero Canavese, Vidracco and Castellamonte. The Pelati Mountains are barren and almost completely devoid of vegetation, which is why they are also called "Red Mountains": a characteristic due to the nature of the rock and erosion caused by rainfall. Home to olivine and magnesite quarries since the second half of the 1700s for the production of ceramics and refractory materials, today the site is partly protected to encourage environmental restoration. The rocks are colonized by various types of lichens, while the rest of the area is mostly covered with sparse shrubs, dry grasslands and heaths. Juniper and Butcher's Broom are fairly common, with some presence of Birch, Robinia, Downy Oak and reforestations composed of Scots Pine, Pinus strobe, Black Pine and Larch. In the vicinity of the Malesina Creek, shrub belts of White Willow are encountered. Interesting and rare flowers include Campanula bertolae, Linum suffruticosum, Fumana procumbens and the more common Sedum alpinum and brightly colored carnations, capable of growing even in hostile environments.

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