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The ideal
place for a perfect tuscany villa holiday - a beautifully
restored historic farmhouse, set in the
unspoilt countryside of
Lunigiana |
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The Apuane Alps extend over a distance of 40km, paralleling
the coast between La Spezia and Lucca. They form a spectacular
backdrop to the many beaches along this stretch of
coastline.
They are mainly composed of limestone laid down in an
ancient sea over 250 million years ago. As with the central
European Alps and the Appennines they rose from the sea as a
result of collisions between the African and European tectonic
plates.
During their formation they suffered a particularly complex
sequence of forces and dislocations which resulted in the
formation of large deposits of marble, as well as forging
their characteristically craggy structure. This Apuane marble
has been quarried for many centuries and has always been a
significant source of employment and wealth. The quality of
the marble is such that Michelangelo chose it for many of his
works. |
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This mountain range offers enormous diversity for the
walker/climber. It rises to a maximum altitude of 1947m in the
form of the very steep, but largely grassy sided, Monte
Pisanino. On the other hand, Monte Sumbra (1764m) has rounded
rocky shoulders, whereas Monte Cavallo (1888m) has limestone
columns jutting into the sky, more reminiscent of the mighty
Dolomites. On its northern side Pizza dUcello (1781m) has an
impressive 700m high, rock face.
The mountain range is comprehensively served by refuges,
footpaths, tracks and climbs which are well maintained by the
Italian
Alpine Club (CAI). There are also extensive via ferrata
climbs of all grades and lengths, many of which can be
incorporated as optional extras into challenging day walks.
These features are also well documented on a variety of maps
at both 1:50,000 and 1:25,000. |
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There are also a number of long distance paths. The classic
traverse of the range takes four days, from Equi Terme to
Stazzema, staying overnight in the refuges of the CAI. A lower
altitude, easier and shorter route is known as the Via
Vendelli, a historic bridleway built as a trade route by the
abbot Domenico Vandelli in the 18C between Modena and Massa.
This can be traversed in a single but strenuous
day.
The Apuane Alps are also a paradise for cavers, containing
over 1300 caves, spread throughout the region. The Antro
del Corchia cave system has over 70 km of caves and
tunnels with levels varying by more than 1200m. It is the
biggest in Italy and is famous throughout the world. The Buca
di Egui caves are open to the public and are noted for
artefacts and animal remains from the Paleoithic age. |
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During the latter years of World War 2 the region was at
the centre of German fortifications to prevent the Allies
moving northwards, known as the Gothic Line. Some of these
fortifications are still visible today, and numerous war
cemeteries and memorials serve as reminders of the human cost.
The Apuane Alps were a hiding place for Italian resistance
fighters trying to rid Italy of the retreating German
presence.
The mountain range was declared a
Regional Park in 1985, the Parco
del Apuane. The park authorities have the difficult job of
protecting the landscape, rivers, flora, fauna, geological
sites etc. whilst still supporting the essential industries of
tourism and marble quarrying. There are a variety of web sites
associated with the Park but most are in Italian OK if you
speak Italian or have language translation built into your web
explorer software. (If so, try Alpi
Apuane, ParcApuane, Parks
).
Local visitor centres can be found in Castelnuovo
Garfagnana on the north side of the mountains, and in Forno
& Seravezza on the south side. | |