The Parco Regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e dei Calanchi dell'Abbadessa is a protected nature area extending along the hillside just outside of Bologna. The park centres on the major gypsum outcrop that has created a noteworthy karst ridge. The roads and paths that run through this protected area enable visitors to discover scenery of surprising beauty: barren rocky crags overlooking vast basins that look like natural amphitheatres; seemingly inaccessible corners concealing entrances to caves; rugged gullies along ridges which, like dark mountains in miniature, break up the gentle clay slopes.

The many sites and points of interest included within the Park can be visited along organised itineraries.