Padule di Bolgheri Wildlife Refuge
“The Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta is a WWF Oasis Affiliate”
Tuscan coastal area with cultivated, uncultivated, wet meadows, flooded forest of Narrow-leaved Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) ponds for about 150 hectares, coastal bobbin and sandy shore. This WWF Oasis is located in the Municipality of Castagneto Carducci (Li). This area of 513 hectares consists of a splendid example of the original environment of the “Upper Maremma” made up of hygrophilous woods, ponds, pinewoods, flooded meadows.
Bolgheri was the first protected private area in Italy since 1959 on the initiative of Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, owner of the area. It represents a precious wildlife refuge for many animal species.
According to the European Habitats and Birds Directives it is recognized as a Site of Community Importance (SIC IT5160004) and a Special Protection Area (SPA IT5160004).
Furthermore, according to the International Ramsar Convention, it has been a wetland of international importance since 1977.
Oasis Entrance
SP 39 Old Aurelia, km 269,400
57022 Castagneto Carducci
For reservations and information
e-mail: bolgheri@wwf.it
During the summer, visits are permitted only every Saturday and by reservation only, max 20 participants. Opening hours are from 6 pm to 11 pm.
For groups and schools: guided tours will be possible every Tuesday by reservation only.
For all those who wish to visit the Orti-Bottagone Provincial Nature Reserve on the same day, a discount on the admission ticket is provided by presenting the Bolgheri ticket.
Dedicated access is provided to photographers and birdwatchers at appropriate times (dawn), with special rates, weekend visits only by reservation.
Reservations must be made by 5 pm two days prior to the selected date. Reservations made by e-mail are valid upon receipt of confirmation.
The appointment is 10 minutes prior to the visiting time, in the unpaved pitch that is located along the SP 39 Vecchia Aurelia, at km 269,400.
Do not cross the underpass and stop at the WWF sign. For organizational reasons, it is not possible to wait for latecomers, so punctuality is highly recommended.
Every Saturday in June, July and August and Wednesday 22/6, 13/7, 27/7, 10/8 and 17/8, it will be possible, by reservation at +39 389 9578763, +39 328 1937095 or in bolgheri@wwf.it, to take a walk of about 9 km inside the WWF oasis of Bolgheri (LI), where one can observe fallow deer, roe deer, hares, wild boars, herons, egrets and storks on the nest.
Departure is at 6 pm: pic nic dinner to be paid by users on the pristine beach by sunset and return along the old via dei Cavalleggeri illuminated by the moonlight, the stars and numerous fireflies. End of the excursion around 11.00 pm.