The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Parco Locale Bosco Del Rugareto

L’Approdo del Parco Medio Olona “Calipolis” is a true oasis that offers peace and tranquility in one of the most urbanized regions of Northern Italy. A place where nature, sport, and history meet on the banks of the Olona river at the bottom of the valley in Fagnano Olona, while the surrounding hills crown the landscape. “Calipolis” is also a place that demonstrates how it is possible to recover and enhance disused areas, making them places of natural and scenic interest. In fact, the mere presence of the Olona river guarantees users of the area the opportunity to observe fish and, above all, birds associated with the aquatic environment, such as herons. Furthermore, there are also wetlands – two ponds, one of which is educational – where you can hear the croaking of frogs and toads. At the educational pond, some potential “guests” are illustrated, such as the agile frog, the tree frog, the common toad, Lataste's frog, and the emerald toad.

The Scientific Educational Center - Astronomical Observatory and Eco-Planetarium is located in Tradate, immersed in the protected forest of the Pineta Park of Appiano Gentile and Tradate. It is a facility dedicated to scientific dissemination, astronomy, and environmental protection.

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The Magical Woods Trail hosts the works of Giancarlo Volontè; thanks to its evocative landscape, the route transports those who walk it into a fairy-tale world, full of surprises and discoveries at every step, to be experienced with lightheartedness and curiosity.

The "Calipolis" landing stage, located in the Medio Olona Park, is part of the wonderful redevelopment of a former industrial area undertaken by volunteers from the Contrada dei Calimali. Open year-round to the public on Sundays and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to sunset and on Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. to sunset. In addition to a kiosk, the area also features restrooms, picnic tables and benches, an e-bike charging station, and a library for bookcrossing.

Beautiful cycle path along the Olona River. Several points of interest: the Torba Monastery (FAI) and, with a short detour, the Castelseprio Archaeological Park with the beautiful church of Santa Maria Foris Portas.

From "ateinsubriaolona.it": "The word magic evokes fairytale atmospheres, often immersed in a woodland setting, a place populated by fantastical inhabitants and guardian of fables and wonders. The Magic of the Woods trail is a short path that begins in front of one of the two entrances to the Scientific Education Center and hosts the wooden works of Giancarlo Volontè. It winds through a Scots pine forest, transporting those who walk it into a fairytale world, full of surprises and discoveries at every step, to be experienced with lightheartedness and curiosity. Along the trail, you'll encounter elves and spirits carved from wood, as well as giant-sized insects and other animals. Giancarlo Volontè is a skilled wood sculptor, a longtime friend of the Park, and an eclectic Volunteer Ecological Guard who works for the Protected Area. Like any artist, he is able to unleash the communicative power of materials, in this case wood, extracting for the eyes of all that magic guarded by the majestic inhabitants of the forest. Near the Scientific Education Center, completing the Magic of the Forest trail, you can walk the F.A.T.A. Trail, a short circular route complete with educational panels and installations on the solar system.