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NATURE AND SPORT
The most northern part of the Garfagnana is protected by
the Parco Regionale dell'Orecchiella, with more than 5000 hectares
of vast forests which includes the Natural Reserves of Lama Rossa,
Bocca di Scala and dell Pania del Corfino.
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the foot of the mountain Rondinaio you find the Riserva dell'Orrido
di Botriwhich protects the most spectacular canyon in central Italy,
where the royal eagle still makes nests.
The Parco dell'Orecchiella protects a vast plateau where the
nature can express itself freely, protected by man who lives peacefully
with the remaining examples of wolves and royal eagles. The majestic
lime-stone mountain of the Pania del Corfino, the perfect habitat
for deers, moufflons and wild boars, dominates the territory of the
park. In the park you find forests, clearings, springs and rocky tops
together with excellent services for eco-tourists.
The Lama Rossa protects a vast beech-forest, and preserves
a unique flora and wild animals. The whole park has signed paths,
suited for short walks or more significant day-excursions. Children
can have fun at the nearby Centro Visite which is a place where you
find a bear family from the Zoo of Leghorn in semi-freedom. At the
Centro Visitatori you find the Museo Naturalistico with a special
area for watching the animals and 30 beds, not to forget a shop with
specialities from the area and two refuge-inns. The paths depart form
the centre. There are both paths for beginners and paths in order
to see as many animals as possible.
At the same info-point departs the itinerary which reaches
the Orto Botanico della Pania del Corfino, where the typical
flora of the lime-stone mountain is preserved, much more harsh compared
to the surrounding green hills. Located in a beautiful panoramic position,
the Orto Botanico (the Botanical Gardens), faces the Valle del Serchio,
overlooking the Apuane Alps and the Versilian coast. The Orto Botanico
features junipers, dog roses, beeches, turkey oaks, white and red
fir-trees, bilberies and rhododendroes in a landscape of clearings,
peat-bogs and moors. Do not miss the chance to se rare flowers such
as the wild orchid, the Apennine primrose and the wild peony.
The tourist who visit the Garfagnan could not leave without
having spent at least one day at the Orrido di Botri, the most
spectacular canyon in the central Italy. Even a beginner can access
this beautiful area. A Harsh and imposing lime-stone gorge with walls
which have been shaped by the water of the Rio Pelago, included in
a wonderful landscape with beeches dominated by the highest peaks
of the Garfagnana.: the Monte Rondinaio and the Alpe delle Tre Potenze.
The water which flows in the gorge is crystal-clear, and though it
is ice-cold even in the summer, it is hard to resist entering it.
The fascination of the Orrido di Botri is even more evident thanks
to the royal eagle that here build its nests. In the surrounding plateau
you can see hares, rain-deers, squirrels, polecats and marmots. Apart
from the royal eagle, the symbol of the Orrido, there are also buzzards,
kestrels, pilgrim hawks, sparrow-hawks and eagle-owls. Of course it
is a game preserve.
Another excursion which you can not miss is the one to the Grotta
del Vento, naturally caved by the nature in the middle of one
of the most picturesque parts of the Parco delle Apuane. Though it
is the Parco delle Apuane which protects the underground beauties
of the cave, the site is located in the territory of the Gafagnana,
next to the marvellous hermitage of Calomini. The Grotta del Vento
can only be visited in guided excursions, though it has comfortable
paths which makes the trekking pleasant. The cave offers you stalagmites,
crystal-clear lakes, underground water-springs and erosions which
gives the cave strange shapes. The visitors can choose between three
different itineraries according to the time and the difficulties.
The paradise of open-air sports, the Garfagnana offers many
possibilities to enjoy your leisure in the nature. You can make excursions
walking, by bike or on the horse-back, thanks to the 300 km of itineraries,
signed and organised by the Garfagnana Trekking, the Apuane
Trekking in the Parco dell'Orecchiella, where you can take
one of the three paths of the Airone. In the Centro Visite de Parco
dell'Orecchiella you find several maps and guide-books on the paths.
There are also six horse-back paths in the Garfagnana, especially
carried out to satisfy the visitor who like to sit on the saddle.
These paths cross the most beautiful parts of the Garfagnana and are
a good alternative to the manèges in the area.
There are also many possibilities to go underground to discover
the amazing lime-stone caves. In the Garfagnana you find the most
marvellous caves and the deepest abysses in Europe. The scales of
the high walls of the Apuane Alps are reserved for the most experienced
climbers. If you are looking for trembles you can always try windsailing,
while the water of the Garfagnana offers the opportunity to go rafting,
fishing, swimming or sailing. In the Garfagnana you also find some
ski-lift facilities at Orecchiella, where you also can do cross-country
Casone, Passo delle Radici, Profecchia and at
Careggine.
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