| The
Orrido of Botri is a sour and impressive calcareous throat,
with steep walls dug in depth by the cold waters of the
Rio Pelago torrent.
The Orrido
di Botri is an impressive calcareous gorge, characterized
by deep steep walls, as high as 200 meters, and in some
parts only a few meters apart. It looks like a karstic
canyon, a narrow sunken valley, created by the eroding
action of the Pelago creek on the limestone rock of the
Apennines. The creek itself between the rocky walls forms
a rare and scenic natural environment of great geological
and naturalist interest.
The canyon is inserted in an appenninico landscape characterized
by rocky environments, ruled by the tops of the Rondinaio
Mountain and the Tre Potenze which touch lightly the 2000
meters of height. In the rocky zones we especially find
arboreous trees what the beech, the black hornbeam, the
orniello, the leccio, maples, willows, the wild linden.
With regard to the fauna, mammals are present what
roe deer, deer, hare, squirrel, marmot, fox, polecat,
marten. To preserve the Botri Orrido, a natural
Reserve has been instituted, since 1971.
To arrive here, from Lucca with the statale n°12
of Brennero, which covers up to Forcoli near Lucca
Bagni.
One then deviates toward Tereglio, feeding the Provinciale
n°56 and the indications are then followed for Ponte
to Gaio, Orrido of Botri.
Visit
to the Orrido are only allowed accompanied by authorized
guides.
Both for the preservation of the natural environment and the safety of excursionists,
it is possible to visit the Gorge in summertime only.
There are two itineraries
of impressive beauty and varying difficulty, but it is quite a demanding
excursion, with several fords and slippery surfaces.
For this reason it is obligatory to wear protective
helmets, supplied by guides themselves before starting
the tour. It is strongly recommended to wear casual
clothes and shoes suitable for this kind of excursion.
The visits inside the Botri Orrido are mandatorily
taken by authorized guides, with a daily closed
number and on 2 different difficulty layouts. For
information about the visit modalities turn to
the Lucca Ufficio Foreste Demaniali (0583-95552526)
or to information point of the C.F.S. of Ponte
to Gaio, where is also possible buying the entry
tickets and booking the guide service. |
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