Bergeggi cork oak forest

The cork oaks allow you to immerse yourself in a world where time slips away quickly, and imagination can run free. Reaching it is rather easy: near the town hall, via Luccoli leads you to a wonderful mixed wood forest of downy oaks and holm oaks. Just follow the main path to find yourself surrounded by cork oaks, silence, and a lovely cool breeze. Some oaks can even be as tall as 10 meters with a diameter of trunk of about 40 cm. Picnic tables invite you to stop for a break and it’s easy for your mind to start wandering, imagining fishermen gathered around the tables, making floating corks.

When you get to the dirt road, take the uphill trail on your left that goes into the cork oak forest. You will quickly notice that trunks are blackened, and the undergrowth is sparse: in 2017 a devastating fire burnt down part of the cork forest. Here is why cork is so important! With its weak combustion properties, it is incredibly fire-resistant. Hence the vital part of the cork trees was spared by the fire.

The power of life also manifests itself in the underwood: the bushes, despite still being black from the fire, are sprouting and will soon be lush.

At the top of the trail, pass the barrier and go down the paved road for about 200 meters. Take the dirt road on the right, skirt the cork woods, pass Batteria, and you will soon be back to the inner trail entrance.

What you see today is likely what is left of a larger ancient forest: roaming around the surrounding area, you can still find some solitary oaks mixed with Scots pines.