Between the municipalities of Guardiaregia and Campochiaro, in the heart of the Matese massif, lies one of the most spectacular protected areas and the largest in peninsular Italy: the WWF Oasis Guardiaregia-Campochiaro. With its 3135 hectares, it is the second largest WWF oasis in the country and is also a Regional Nature Reserve since 2010, an integral part of the future area of the Matese National Park.
The oasis is a treasure of biodiversity and breathtaking karst landscapes. Its main attractions include the canyon of the Quirino stream, about 200 meters deep and 4 km long, and the waterfall of San Nicola, with a jump of water that exceeds 100 meters, visible from the panoramic nature trail “San Nicola”. From here you can also admire the highest peak of the oasis, Monte Mutria (1,823 m), covered with dense beech.
The area contains two of the deepest abysses in Europe: the caves of Pozzo della Neve and Cul di Bove, sought after by speleologists. There is no lack of traces of the geological past of the area: in some areas it is still possible to discover fossil remains of rudists, witnesses of an ancient seabed.
Flora and fauna complete the extraordinary richness of the Oasis. There are rare species such as holm oak and strawberry tree, as well as more than 340 species of butterflies and numerous wild orchids. Among the protagonists of the animal world stand out the Apennine wolf, the wild cat, the Salamandrina with glasses – symbol of the oasis – and birds of prey such as the golden eagle, the hawk and the rare lanario.
The WWF Guardiaregia-Campochiaro Oasis represents a model of environmental protection, inserted within a Special Conservation Zone and a Special Protection Zone. It is an ideal place for nature walks suitable for all, where the silence of the forest and the grandeur of the landscape offer an experience of immersion in the authentic nature of Molise.