The Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, one of the lungs of Europe, two-thirds of which is carpeted in beech, white maple, birch, yew, oak and black pine trees, covers nearly 50 000 acres. Its 160 paths attract lots of walkers every year. Its appeal stems as much from its rich wildlife (300 species of birds, for example) and varied flora (150 endemic plants) as from its rugged unspoiled mountainscape, the highest point of which is Monte Petroso (2 247m).