Located just minutes from Brisighella, the Carnè Natural Park welcomes visitors with its rich geological heritage, including dolines, caves, abysses, and a landscape to be discovered through archaeological sites, lush nature, and abundant wildlife.
This area is one of the main gateways to the Vena del Gesso Romagnola, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The park stretches under a canopy of Mediterranean scrub, dominated by oak, hornbeam, and hop-hornbeam, creating a fascinating and varied natural environment. Approaching Monte Rontana, reforested areas feature majestic black pines and common cypresses alongside maples, rowans, service trees, chestnuts, elms, and oaks, enriching the biodiversity. In the undergrowth, species such as the false acacia and terebinth thrive, while the rare borsolo adds a special charm for those who know where to look.
Walking quietly, visitors may encounter local wildlife: roe deer, red deer, hedgehogs, badgers, weasels, foxes, squirrels, and dormice. Birds such as woodpeckers, hoopoes, and sparrows are common, while buzzards and sparrowhawks patrol the skies. Bats inhabit the dark caves.
At the heart of the park is the Ca’ Carnè Visitor Center and Refuge, offering a range of services for hikers: an information point, conference room, classroom, a museum dedicated to local fauna, picnic areas, a scout hut for summer activities or organized groups, camping facilities, and a fire pit area. The refuge exemplifies traditional Romagnol hospitality with its restaurant, bar, and comfortable guest rooms.
A network of trails around the Visitor Center winds through forests, gypsum and marl formations, and underground landscapes, bringing visitors deep into the heart of the earth. Nearby, the Tanaccia Cave and Marana Quarry are ideal for caving excursions.
The park also includes the Rontana Castle, an archaeological site that tells the story of the medieval hills.
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Thursday: 10:00 – 16:00
Friday to Sunday: 10:00 – 22:00
Additional notes: The Carnè Natural Park was established in 1973 through the initiative of the Ravenna Region and the municipalities of Faenza and Brisighella. Its 40-hectare core showcases the most characteristic geological features of the Vena del Gesso, including surface karst phenomena such as dolines and sinkholes, as well as subterranean formations like caves and karst springs. The Ca’ Carnè Visitor Center and guest rooms are accessible via a scenic rural road, leading through expansive grassy dolines and hidden wooded areas. Notable dolines include the “Catino di Pilato” at the foot of Monte Rontana, the twin dolines in Abisso Faenza, and the small “Dolina del Gufo.”
The park is a well-preserved example of Vena del Gesso flora, with trees such as maples, wild service trees, cherries, chestnuts, elms, and Adriatic oaks, along with wild limes and ashes. Spring brings dog’s tooth violets, orchids, and ferns in the humid zones. Fauna includes garden mice, hedgehogs, squirrels, dormice, foxes, porcupines, roe deer, wild boars, and bats. Birdlife features green woodpeckers, hoopoes, rollers, owls, sparrowhawks, and buzzards.
