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NATURE:
REGIONAL PARK OF THE APUANE ALPS
The areas which have not been exposed to the extracting activity,
where the forests are intact, got protected in 1985 with creation
of the Parco Regionale delle Alpi Apuane.
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In
the Park you find the nicest parts of the Apuane Alps. Though the
mountains are not so high, (the highest peak, the Pisanino mountain,
reaches 1946 metres) they have gained the name Alps as they have so
sharp peaks and vertical walls which make you think of the Dolomites.
The pre-historical settlements, the hermitages and the churches, the
lakes and the rivers and the forests with berries are only some of
the treasures of the Apuane Alps to discover during your stay.
The heart of the Apuane Alpsis the precious white marble, the
white gold of the Apuane Alps. An underground wealth which makes Tuscany
the main marble producer in the world. But the underground of the
Apuane Alps also features other surprises such as the abysses and
the caves which have been created by a rare geological event.
Around 220 million years ago, the limestone started to stratify
in the underground of the Apuane Alps, creating thicker and thicker
layers. "Only" 20 million years ago, a powerful eruption
produced the raising of the mountain chain, exposing the original
underground rock to the erosion of the atmospheric agents. The limestone
was easily modelled and transformed in a big and complex basin of
karst caves, the biggest in Europe, which is the destination for many
spelaeologists. An impressing labyrinth of galleries which have created
unique morphologies, such as the Antro del Corchia which with
more than 60 km of galleries and 1200 metres of difference in depth,
is the biggest underground system in Italy.
Most of the abysses can only be visited by experienced spelaeologists,
but a tourist can get an idea of the vertiginous abysses by visiting
the Grotta del Vento which, due to the richness and the colours of
the limestone, is certainly the most interesting one. The guided visits
allows you to carry out an itinerary of one, two or three hours in
the karsic cave which is equipped for visitors without any experience.
For more experienced spelaeologists, the Grotta del Vento is a start
point to discover a vast system of caves, among the biggest in Europe.
From Fornovalasco, the village from where you reach the Grotta
del Vento, you can take a track leading to the natural arch of Monte
Forato, one of the most suggestive natural "monuments"
in Italy. The limestone rock, shaped by the atmospheric agents, has
created a 30 metres opening, which at dusk features an extraordinary
frame.
The Apuane Alps features numerous endemic plants, but unfortunately
the fauna has been decimated by the hunters. You will not find bears,
wolves or deers, but only the royal eagle which nests on the peaks
of the Apuane Alps, the red partridge and the mountain swallow. The
Park features several extraordinary landscapes and thus offers a vast
opportunity for excursionists.
From a walk in the sweet pastures plotted with Romanesque churches
to more difficult excursions. It is advisable to bear in mind that
the though the peaks of the Apuane Alps are not very high, the y feature
technical difficulties, due to the stone structure and the abysses.
So even experienced climbers should be accompanied by one of the guides
of the park. You can contact them at one of the centri visita (info
points) of the park. |
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