Pastoralism and the landscape

The Shepherd - A work made of bonds
The quality of alpine landscapes is due to the activity that forms and perpetuates them for millennia: breeding. For millennia, the gazing of flocks has created, maintained, improved, shaped landscapes, promoting both plant and animal biodiversity. In the high mountains, grazing promotes the recreational use of places, both during the summer and winter, limiting the risk of avalanches.
The territories at high altitude are rich in traces of the old agro-pastoral civilization. Despite the slow reconquest – by the grassy heath, shrubs and woods – of the territory as a result of the depopulation of mountain environments, the signs of human activity are still evident. The piles of stone – clapiers – at the edges of each parcel, define the boundaries and draw the land registry. They are the result of meticulous work, in which every stone was taken off by hand.
The irrigation channels draw a dense and durable network, in which attention was paid meticulously to the level curves. Finally, the remains of the “grange” reflect the use of hay at high altitude. Our advice? Always plan your visit with the help of the different guides operating on the Valley territory, in order to build you experience with the help of qualified staff!