by peridotites and serpentinites. The peculiar soils formed by degradation of peridoties bedrock and a large variety of micro-habitats in the protected area allow the presence of rare endemic plants, as Viola bertolonii or Cerastium utriense. Some gold mines, now abandoned, have been exploited near Cascina Ferriere and in other surrounding locations. Wildlife Among animals is to be highlighted a wide reptiles' and amphibia's biodiversity: in the park have been found eight different species of snakes and in the obscurity of the old mines dwells the endemic Speleomantes strinatii, at first considered a subspecies of the Italian cave salamander and now a self-standing species. In the streams lives not only the brown trout but also the endangered white-clawed crayfish, observed in Lemme Valley. Park's forests offer a suitable habitat to wild boars, foxes, badgers, fat dormouses, bats, roe deer, fallow deer, European hedgehogs, beech martens and hares. Located on a crowded migratory route the park offers nesting places to many bird species. Among birds of prey must be noted the short-toed snake eagle (in Italian Biancone), a species very endangered in Italy which was chosen as the symbol of the park. Many common buzzards' couples also nest in the protected area. Transport Capanne di Marcarolo park can be reached by car via motorway (Autostrada A26 Voltri-Sempione or Autostrada A7 Genova-Milano). The closest railway stations are in Serravalle Scrivia and Arquata Scrivia. Hiking A large network of footpaths, mostly signposted by F.I.E. (Federazione Italiana Escursionismo, Hiking Italian Federation) is available within the park. Two mountain hut can be used by hikers: Maria Santissima di Caravaggio, on the top of Monte Tobbio: a room contiguous to the small church can be used as an emergence hut. Rifugio Escursionistico Nido Del Biancone, owned by the park and located in Frazione Capanne di Marcarolo (Bosio). References Bibliography External links Appennino piemontese, on-line guidebook of the Regione Piemonte, available for free in .pdf on www.regione.piemonte.it (in Italian) Regional parks of Italy Parks in Piedmont Protected areas established in 1979 Protected areas of the Apennines 1979 establishments in Italy Province of Alessandria Natura 2000 in Italy