The Apuan Alps UNESCO Global Geopark, in central Italy, is characterized by a high geodiversity and biodiversity at the transition between the Middle-European and Mediterranean biogeographical regions. The Apuan Alps mountain range, growing up to about 2000 m from the Versilia plain at the Ligurian Sea coast, displays extraordinary landscapes. 500 million years are represented in its rocks, containing the evidence of two orogenies (Hercynian and Alpine) inside a tectonic window which is one of the key structures to understand the Northern Apennines geology. More than 200 geosites, including orographic, fluvial, mineralogical, karst, glacial, structural, hydrogeological and paleontological features, highlight the outstanding geological heritage of the Apuan Alps. At the beginning of 2019, the Apuan Alps UGGp produced a new leaflet that is meant to promote 9 geotrails celebrating the geological and cultural heritage of the Geopark. These geotrails are footpaths with varying travel times (from one hour or less, up to a maximum of one day) and difficulty rating (easy, moderate and difficult). They are suitable for both families with children and experienced hikers and are equipped with explanatory panels. The geotrails' locations are shown in a simplified map that offers visitors a comprehensive geographical awareness by highlighting the main geosites, the main access roads and railway stations and other tourist points of interest. The geotrails can be divided according to their main geological and geomorphological meaning. Two geotrails deal with fluvial landforms: the Equi Terme Solco is a 1.5 km long deep canyon reaching the Pizzo d'Uccello northern slope where moraine deposits of the Last Glaciation are observable. "Giants' potholes" carved inside white marble are preserved traces of the turbulent flow of the river water. However, the most outstanding examples of "giants' pot-holes" can be observed as the main topic of Geotrail n. 6 equipped along a stream flowing down from the Mt. Sumbra southern slope. Landscapes shaped by glacial activities dated about 10,000 years ago can be appreciated in other two geotrails in the northern part of the Apuan Alps Geopark: i) the Serenaia glacial valley, characterized by the typical U-shape and sheepback rocks. This geotrail has a specific added value as it is accessible to disabled people and equipped with braille panels; ii) the Geotrail n. 4, connecting the pastoral village of Campocatino with the San Viviano hermitage, a charming chapel sheltered by a rock wall, unfolds through an area of geosites representative of landforms and deposits of glacial origin at the foot of the Mt. Roccandagia eastern side. The Via Vandelli geotrail, rich in cultural-historical evidence, allows hikers to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the entire geopark, crossing the main ridge of the Apuan Alps along the ancient road built in the mid-eighteenth century to connect the towns of Massa and Modena. The Mount Ballerino ring trail is instead an easy trail starting from the "Carrara" CAI (Italian Alpine Club) hut and includes a superb observation point of the impressive rock walls of the northernmost part of the Apuan Alps and karst landforms. Amazing karst landforms characterize the geological landscape at the foot of the Panie mountains, an iconic area of the Apuan Alps, which is crossed by the Geotrail n. 7, named the Mouflon trail, as specimens of this animal can be observed in the wilderness. In the southern part of the Apuan Alps Geopark, the Geotrail n. 8, from the village of Levigliani to the Mosceta pass, is devoted to geosites of both structural and cultural values. It unfolds along the Mt. Corchia syncline fold, whose core is made of marble, and crosses the Paleozoic phyllites and quartzites that house the bunkers built during the Second World War along the Gothic Line. Finally, walking the Geotrail n. 9 from "S. Martino alla Cappella" medieval church, visitors can observe the historical quarries of the Cappella "Bardiglio" marble and relevant aspects of the marble quarrying industry as it was when it flourished during the XIX-XX centuries. All the described footpaths offer the possibility to discover places full of geology, culture and evocative landscapes in the wild nature of the Apuan Alps.
Alpi Apuane geopercorsi e geositi - Apuan Alps geotrails and geosites
Ottria G
2019
Abstract
The Apuan Alps UNESCO Global Geopark, in central Italy, is characterized by a high geodiversity and biodiversity at the transition between the Middle-European and Mediterranean biogeographical regions. The Apuan Alps mountain range, growing up to about 2000 m from the Versilia plain at the Ligurian Sea coast, displays extraordinary landscapes. 500 million years are represented in its rocks, containing the evidence of two orogenies (Hercynian and Alpine) inside a tectonic window which is one of the key structures to understand the Northern Apennines geology. More than 200 geosites, including orographic, fluvial, mineralogical, karst, glacial, structural, hydrogeological and paleontological features, highlight the outstanding geological heritage of the Apuan Alps. At the beginning of 2019, the Apuan Alps UGGp produced a new leaflet that is meant to promote 9 geotrails celebrating the geological and cultural heritage of the Geopark. These geotrails are footpaths with varying travel times (from one hour or less, up to a maximum of one day) and difficulty rating (easy, moderate and difficult). They are suitable for both families with children and experienced hikers and are equipped with explanatory panels. The geotrails' locations are shown in a simplified map that offers visitors a comprehensive geographical awareness by highlighting the main geosites, the main access roads and railway stations and other tourist points of interest. The geotrails can be divided according to their main geological and geomorphological meaning. Two geotrails deal with fluvial landforms: the Equi Terme Solco is a 1.5 km long deep canyon reaching the Pizzo d'Uccello northern slope where moraine deposits of the Last Glaciation are observable. "Giants' potholes" carved inside white marble are preserved traces of the turbulent flow of the river water. However, the most outstanding examples of "giants' pot-holes" can be observed as the main topic of Geotrail n. 6 equipped along a stream flowing down from the Mt. Sumbra southern slope. Landscapes shaped by glacial activities dated about 10,000 years ago can be appreciated in other two geotrails in the northern part of the Apuan Alps Geopark: i) the Serenaia glacial valley, characterized by the typical U-shape and sheepback rocks. This geotrail has a specific added value as it is accessible to disabled people and equipped with braille panels; ii) the Geotrail n. 4, connecting the pastoral village of Campocatino with the San Viviano hermitage, a charming chapel sheltered by a rock wall, unfolds through an area of geosites representative of landforms and deposits of glacial origin at the foot of the Mt. Roccandagia eastern side. The Via Vandelli geotrail, rich in cultural-historical evidence, allows hikers to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the entire geopark, crossing the main ridge of the Apuan Alps along the ancient road built in the mid-eighteenth century to connect the towns of Massa and Modena. The Mount Ballerino ring trail is instead an easy trail starting from the "Carrara" CAI (Italian Alpine Club) hut and includes a superb observation point of the impressive rock walls of the northernmost part of the Apuan Alps and karst landforms. Amazing karst landforms characterize the geological landscape at the foot of the Panie mountains, an iconic area of the Apuan Alps, which is crossed by the Geotrail n. 7, named the Mouflon trail, as specimens of this animal can be observed in the wilderness. In the southern part of the Apuan Alps Geopark, the Geotrail n. 8, from the village of Levigliani to the Mosceta pass, is devoted to geosites of both structural and cultural values. It unfolds along the Mt. Corchia syncline fold, whose core is made of marble, and crosses the Paleozoic phyllites and quartzites that house the bunkers built during the Second World War along the Gothic Line. Finally, walking the Geotrail n. 9 from "S. Martino alla Cappella" medieval church, visitors can observe the historical quarries of the Cappella "Bardiglio" marble and relevant aspects of the marble quarrying industry as it was when it flourished during the XIX-XX centuries. All the described footpaths offer the possibility to discover places full of geology, culture and evocative landscapes in the wild nature of the Apuan Alps.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
