The best hiking routes in Parco Naturale La Mandria

Parco Naturale La Mandria is a vast, flat lowland park enclosed by a historic brick wall, offering a landscape dominated by ancient oak and hornbeam woodlands, open meadows, and managed pastures. Unlike the nearby rugged alpine valleys, this reserve preserves a rare remnant of the plain forest that once covered the Po Valley. Walkers will find a network of wide, gravelled carriage roads and dirt tracks that are easy to follow, making it highly accessible but less suited for those seeking narrow, rocky hiking trails or steep climbs.

The landscape is shaped by its history as a royal hunting ground, which explains the straight avenues, the presence of the massive Borgo Castello complex, and the scattered historical farmsteads you will pass along the routes. The terrain underfoot is mostly firm dirt, gravel, or paved tracks, which can become muddy in low-lying wooded sections after wet weather. In May, the open meadows are filled with wildflowers, while the dense forest canopy provides deep shade.

While the areas near the main entrance gates can be busy with families and cyclists, the deeper forest tracks toward the northern boundaries offer a much quieter experience. Here, the focus is on the quiet woodland interior and the chance to spot wild boars or deer among the trees, rather than dramatic viewpoints or sweeping mountain vistas.