Description
The environment / Fauna
has broad basal slopes covered with broadleaf woodland, then, higher up, pastures and meadows, mixed woodland and summit expanses where rhododendron, dwarf pine and high-altitude shrubs favouring the permanence and spread of tetraonidae stand out. The higher portion of the plateau highlights the calcareous nature of the substratum and the spread of moraine beds that soften the general morphology of the site.
From a forestry point of view, spruce is present in association with silver fir and beech, which above 1750 metres leave vast open spaces for grazing. At higher altitudes, the larch finds an elective habitat and enriches the forest with its intense and distinctive colours. Pure larch spreads above 1900 metres in altitude up to the watershed ridge.
The Scanuppia State Forest has always been of great interest for wildlife, especially due to the significant presence of capercaillie and black grouse, but also chamois and roe deer, eagles, black grouse and martens. Hunting has long been banned in the entire reserve. And it is precisely the fauna, together with the quiet and marked naturalistic value, that constitutes the most valuable peculiarity.
Inside the Forest, you will find Malga Imprech with its eponymous alpine pasture, which is still grazed, and the splendid Renaissance building of Malga Palazzo, built in 1589 and recently restored.
Access to the alpine pasture from Besenello is via a very steep and sunny cemented road, 7.5 kilometres long with an altitude difference of 1317 metres. The road is closed to motor traffic as well as to cyclists and bikers.
The name
local dialect name, Scanucia, is a deformation of the original Cimbrian place name Laitterperg (Leiterberg), meaning Ladder Mountain. From Scalucola, Scanucia, small staircase. This is due to the presence of the numerous access ramps that once contained several steps to facilitate the ascent. Today, the road is cemented, but here and there one can still see signs of the steps and ruts where wagons and sledges used to pass for transporting timber and hay to the valley.
Since the early Renaissance, the noble Austrian family of the Trapp Counts, owners of the entire area including the Castel Beseno below, had destined the Monte della Scanuppia to become their mountain estate to be used as an alpine pasture, timber supply, holiday resort and exclusive hunting reserve where chamois, roe deer and grouse abounded. At the centre of the estate, high up, Malga Palazzo was built in 1589, a singular expression of fortified mountain architecture, in masonry and wood, 400 square metres in area, recently restored and brought back to its original formal character. The 'Casa di sua Signoria illustrissima' (House of His Illustrious Lordship), as mentioned in documents of the 17th century, became a point of reference for the entire local community from that time on. In times of crisis, in fact, between wars and conflicts, floods and inundations, it continued to provide work, milk and derivatives to the people of Vallagarina and the surrounding area. In the immediate vicinity of the Malga, the Trapp Counts themselves had a second building constructed, destined to house the cattle.
In 1990, the Autonomous Province of Trento acquired the entire area from Count Osvaldo Trapp, which was subsequently subjected to protection by a Decree of the Provincial Council as the 'Scanuppia-Monte Vigolana Guided Reserve'.
Then, following Provincial Law no. 11 of May 2007, the entire protected area was included among the Provincial Nature Reserves.
Source: Umberto Raffaelli (ed.): Il Palazzo sulla montagna di Scanuppia, pp. 159, Soprintendenza per i Beni Architettonici, Provincia autonoma di Trento, TRENTO 2008.
In the Scanuppia State Forest informed
The Scanuppia State Forest, a provincial nature reserve and SCI (Site of Community Importance), is managed by the Provincial Agency for State Forests, through the Adige Sector, which takes care of the planning, programming and execution of interventions.
The restoration of Malga Palazzo has made it possible to provide a structure for study, research and promotional meetings.
Road access:
- up to Besenello via the provincial road, then continue on foot starting from the conspicuous stone quarry located upstream (NE) of the village. Challenging climb, more than 1200 metres in height difference. Prohibited to bicycles (as well as unauthorised motor vehicles)
- from Folgaria, Mattarello or Piana della Vigolana on foot by hiking itinerary (always demanding height differences)
