Besides better roads, the main evidence of how Valvestino has changed in recent years is the development of two areas that have found an intelligent way of drawing tourists, namely Cima Rest, a plateau at an altitude of 1,200 metres, and San Rocco di Moerna at 1000 metres.
Their common features are a magnificent position, splendid views and the fact that they form ideal starting points for a variety of different excursions.

Public and private resources have contributed to this recent transformation, with support from the two town councils, the provincial authority, the Valvestino park community and the forestry consortium.

Cima Rest is the ideal base for excursions to Mt Tombea and Mt Caplone, as well as other interesting destinations such as the villages of Puria and Droane.

Facilities include a café (tel. (+39) 0365-74067) and an inn (tel. (+39) 0365- 74054).

An Astronomical Observatory (tel. (+39) 0365-71449 / 74049) has been in operation for several years.

The "Scoiattolo" hostel (tel. (+39) 0365-74049), of more recent construction, flanks the characteristic thatched "fienili" (barns) which can now be rented by families or school parties (tel. (+39) 0365-71449).

For those interested in more cultural activities, the Ethnographic Museum(tel. (+39) 0365-745007) is well worth a visit.

In San Rocco di Moerna is the newly set-up San Rocco Tourist Centre (tel. (+39) 338-6163412), with its own restaurant, swimming-pool, campsite and barbecue facilities.

Valvestino also offers gastronomic specialities, the principal one being Tombea cheese.

This is still made by several local farmers using age-old methods.

The first name that springs to mind is Germano Eggiolini, who makes 15 tons of cheese each year in his farm in Denai.

The makers of this strong-tasting cheese aim to upgrade its image by selling it straight from the dairy accompanied by an official trademark.

The botanist Piercarlo Belotti defines saxifrage as the "symbol of Valvestino".

One of the numerous varieties is "Saxifraga Tombeanensis, which takes time to find and it is not always easy to identify.

It is a flower that "does not show itself always and everywhere but, when you least expect it, there it is on a spur of rock, with large compact pulvini, bearing erect stems topped by white flowers".

This species is mainly to be found on the slopes of Mt. Tombea, from whence its name.

The best time to see it in flower are the months of May and June.