GROTTE DEL BANDITO NATURE RESERVE

The Grotte del Bandito (or Bandit’s Caves) of Roaschia are the only underground caves of a certain significance in the Gesso Valley. Their importance and notoriety is due to the large number of paleontological finds uncovered inside the caves. These point to the presence of the cave bear (Ursus speleaus), then the lion, leopard, wolf, brown bear and many other animals now mostly extinct. 

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Please contact Ente di gestione Aree Protette Alpi Marittime - Piazza Regina Elena, 30 - Valdieri

Before leaving, remember to check the opening through the contacts provided in the description.
GROTTE DEL BANDITO NATURE RESERVE
Roaschia

Phone:

+39 0171 976 800


Email: info@areeprotettealpimarittime.it
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Some of the cave bears found in Roaschia are on display in the Natural Science Museums of Milan and London, but most of the finds are kept in the Civic Museum of Cuneo. The superb biodiversity of the caves was considered important enough for the Piedmont Region to establish a nature reserve there in 2011, managed by the Ente Aree Protette Alpi Marittime.


The caves are home to rare insects, arthropods and amphibians, such as the geotriton (Speleomantes strinatii) endemism of the south-western Alps, as well as 13 species of bats that use them for hibernating. To protect the important bat population, the entrances to the caves are closed by gates. They are only opened to the public in certain periods for events or educational activities. 


In addition to providing shelter for animals, the caves were also used by the first inhabitants of the Gesso Valley. Archaeological excavations near the entrances have documented the presence of humans on the site from as far back as the first millennium BC. Various finds, including a bronze knife from the 8th century BC, are on display at the Valdieri Museum. 


Panels in the area surrounding the entrances to the caves illustrate the naturalistic, palaeontological and archaeological peculiarities of the site. 


The Reserve can be reached from Tetto Bandito (Municipality of Roaschia) by taking the dirt cycle-pedestrian path (about 500 meters) that connects the hamlet with Valdieri (about 3 km away). 

CUNEO ALPS: YOUR PERFECT HOLIDAY. GESSO VALLEY

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