Regional Parks, Nature Reserves and Protected Areas near Maratea

Policoro Swamp Forest

500-acre Regional Reserve

Communes of Policoro and Rotondella

from MARATEA: 120 km 1h50

Coastal forest on the left bank of the Sinni river, which combines mountainous and marine aspects.

Very strong presence of beetles with approximately 2,000 species.

Castle Costs

State Reserve of 25 hectares

Town of Avigliano

from MARATEA: 140 km 1h55

It encompasses the territory around the Lagopesole Castle and is composed of pastures with shrubland and small woodlands of cork oak, as well as an area of chestnut trees covering approximately 3 hectares.

Agromonte - Timber Trafficker

State Reserve of 51 hectares

Town of Filiano

from MARATEA: 150 km 1h50

Midway between Potenza and Melfi, it consists of expanses of cork oak and pubescent oak with an undergrowth of white thorn, white hornbeam, barberry, and bramble.

Cavelike

State Reserve of 209 acres

City of Rionero in Vulture

from MARATEA: 160 km 1h50

Along the slopes of the Vulture, at an altitude between 400 and 650 meters, it protects the micro-environmental system of the extremely rare Acanthobrahmaea europaea, a moth that lives only in Basilicata among the oaks of this park.

Metapontum

State Reserve of 240 hectares

City of Bernalda

from MARATEA: 150 km 2h10

Adjacent to the eponymous archaeological zone, it includes the reclaimed coastal strip.

Of notable importance, in addition to the various endemic flora and fauna species, for the presence of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta, which comes in the summer to lay its eggs on the nearby beach.

The Swamps

State Reserve of 148 acres

Town of Filiano

from MARATEA: 150 km 1h50

It includes the area of the upper valley of the Bradano river, whose highest peak is the Serra Carriero at 1,048 meters.

Among the various animal species frequently reported is the presence of the wolf.

Pignola Swamp Lake

Regional Reserve of 155 acres

City of Pignola

from MARATEA: 155 km 1h40

WWF Oasis which features reeds, bulrushes, and white willows surrounding a lake basin with a notable density of birdlife, mammals, and fish.

For the youngest, there is a teaching pond where various species of amphibians live.

San Giuliano Lake Oriented Nature Reserve

Regional Reserve of approximately 1,000 acres.

Communes ofMatera,
Miglionico, Grottole

from MARATEA: 160 km 2h30

Managed by the WWF, it protects the artificial basin of San Giuliano fed by the Bradano river.

With a notable presence of avifauna and various botanical rarities, as well as the repeatedly reported presence of the otter.

Little Lake of Monticchio

187-acre natural reserve

Town of Monticchio

from MARATEA: 155 km 1h40

Managed by the State Forestry Corps, it consists of two lakes occupying the crater of an extinct volcano that is 1,326 meters high, the Vulture.

Important bird presence, especially raptors, nesting at the foot of the mountain.

Rubio

State Reserve of 211 acres

Town of Francavilla sul Sinni

from MARATEA: 150km 2h10

Protects one of the last sites of the beech-white fir association, once very common on the slopes of the Pollino.

Mount Croccia

State Reserve of 36 hectares

Communes of Accettura and
Oliveto Lucano

from MARATEA: 150km 2h30

Composed of tall-trunked trees with a prevalence of cherries and ashes, it extends at an altitude around 1,000 meters, with the typical flora and fauna of the Lucanian Apennines.