Map of the trails of the Castelporziano estateQuirinale Palace
Only 25 km away from the center of Rome, these nature trails lead the visitor to the discovery of a strip of Mediterranean lowland forest, lively populated numerous specimens of wildlife.
A precious coastal ecosystem, made of open areas of an agro-silvo-pastoral vocation and clearings representative of the typical landscape of the "Roman countryside".
Capocotta - Riserva di Lauro Route
It unfolds through a mixed old-growth oak (Turkey oak, Hungarian oak) and hornbeam grove, once used for the production of timber and coal, as evidenced by the presence of numerous "charcoal pits".
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Of particular interest is the current vigorous recovery of the autochthonous vegetation. Some of the older trees shelter important invertebrate species which live in decaying wood, including species of European interest.
Malafede Route
The route crosses a forest of tall trees prevalently consisting of oaks (Turkey oak and Hungarian oak, Quercus crenata, holm oak), with majestic cork oaks bearing witness to their age-old cultivation.
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The forests are often skirted with evergreen shrubs (Phillyrea, mastic, myrtle, heather, and cistus).
Natural pool, Castelporziano Presidential EstateQuirinale Palace
The climatic changes are inducing a shift in the stands: while the presence of the holm oak and the Mediterranean scrub is steady, the lowland oak wood becomes more precious.
Of particular interest is also the invertebrate fauna and the herbaceous flora typical of arid sandy subsoils, interspersed with wetlands and pools of water, which are inhabited by numerous species of Reptiles, Amphibians, Crustaceans and Insects.
Maremmana cattle, Castelporziano Presidential EstatQuirinale Palace
Another interesting aspect is the area’s surrounding agricultural activities, mainly devoted to free-range livestock grazing of Maremma cattle and horses, testifying to the age-old agropastoral activities in central Tyrrhenian Italy.
Tor Paterno Route
The itinerary is characterized by a constant dialogue between archeology and nature: memories of ancient Rome immersed in the forest variety of holm oaks, monumental pine forests, deciduous forests and Mediterranean scrub.
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It skirts the Estate’s largest wetland, which is surrounded by willows and poplars and where it is possible to observe different species of marsh birds and waterfowl, reptiles, amphibians, as well as numerous species of insects and freshwater crustaceans living in riparian areas.
Malpasso Route
It unfolds through a very sinuous landscape characterized by low hills and gorge areas.
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The hills alternate between upland plains covered by pine and holm oak groves and valleys and gorges prevalently covered by mesophile vegetation (Turkey oak, hornbeam), where it is possible to find wild boar, hare and roe deer.
Black kite, Castelporziano Presidential EstateQuirinale Palace
The avifauna is very rich and hosts one of the largest colonies of black kites in the Lazio Region. Among the invertebrates, there are numerous species characteristic of plains and relatively “cold” areas.
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All nature trails include a visit to the ringing station, when in operation, and to the Museum of History and Nature in Castelporziano.
