The Parco Naturale della Collina Torinese was founded in 1991 in response to the need to protect and promote a well-preserved area of considerable natural, architectural and environmental interest. The park, mainly covered by the woods of Bandissero, Pino, Turin and S.Mauro, extends over an area of 750 hectares. These areas are managed by the Ente di Gestione delle Aree Protette della Collina Torinese, whose headquarters are in Castagneto Po.
Thanks to their strategic position, halfway between the Alps and the sea, the highly varied flora consists of more than 2000 species of Alpine origin (beech, Scots pine, whitebeam, bilberry) and Mediterranean species (manna ash, service-tree, butcher’s broom, burning bush). The woods are mostly made up of mixed deciduous trees, mainly oaks and chestnuts. Behind the Strada Panoramica dei Colli there are several exotic plants, in particular conifers, introduced gradually over recent decades for their natural beauty and for reforestation.

The fauna in the park is typical of that in the Piedmont hills. The most common mammals are the fox, badger, stone marten, weasel, hedgehog and squirrel. You may also come across boars and dormice. The most common birds of prey seen during the day are the buzzard, kite, sparrowhawk and kestrel, while at night there are the tawny owl and the little owl. Other interesting species of birds are the red and green woodpeckers, hoopoe, bunting and several species of sparrow.