Hiking
The “Parco dei Monti delle Pietre Verdi” can be experienced and visited in many different and enjoyable ways: walking, biking and horse-riding, moving through the official paths or simply walking through the woods and the fields. Below, one can find some thematic itineraries which can be followed inside the park, and for each one a GPS track is available.
1 - WALKING ON THE FLOOR OF THE OCEAN – Geology of Monti Rognosi
The Monti Rognosi are characterized by a rocky and barren landscape (because of which the name has been chosen), consequence of the presence of ophiolites. These metamorphic rocks were once, more or less 200 million years ago in the Jurassic, the paving of the Ligur-Piemontese ocean’s floor. Following tectonic movements which originated the Apennines, several ridges emerged from the water: the Monti Rognosi are one of them. Despithe their barren nature, life managed to adapt to these harsh conditions with a peculiar flora. Departure from: parking area of “Conventino” – Distance: 4.7 km (2.92 mi) – Estimated duration: 2 hrs – Difficulty: easy – Suitable for: families
2 - THE HERBS OF THE FAIRIES – The ophiolitic vegetation of Monti Rognosi
Rocks on Monti Rognosi are so compact and hard they are not eroded by wind or water. As a consequence, there is not enough soil allowing common plants to grow: that’s why very peculiar plants settled in such an inhospitable area. This itinerary will guide you to the discovery of plants living this singular area. Departure from: parking area of “Conventino” – Distance: 5.0 km (3.10 mi) – Estimated duration: 1 hr 30 min – Difficulty: easy – Suitable for: families
The Monti Rognosi are characterized by a rocky and barren landscape (because of which the name has been chosen), consequence of the presence of ophiolites. These metamorphic rocks were once, more or less 200 million years ago in the Jurassic, the paving of the Ligur-Piemontese ocean’s floor. Following tectonic movements which originated the Apennines, several ridges emerged from the water: the Monti Rognosi are one of them. Despithe their barren nature, life managed to adapt to these harsh conditions with a peculiar flora. Departure from: parking area of “Conventino” – Distance: 4.7 km (2.92 mi) – Estimated duration: 2 hrs – Difficulty: easy – Suitable for: families
2 - THE HERBS OF THE FAIRIES – The ophiolitic vegetation of Monti Rognosi
Rocks on Monti Rognosi are so compact and hard they are not eroded by wind or water. As a consequence, there is not enough soil allowing common plants to grow: that’s why very peculiar plants settled in such an inhospitable area. This itinerary will guide you to the discovery of plants living this singular area. Departure from: parking area of “Conventino” – Distance: 5.0 km (3.10 mi) – Estimated duration: 1 hr 30 min – Difficulty: easy – Suitable for: families
3 - THE MINES ON MONTI ROGNOSI – The road of the mines
Presence of metals, with copper being the most abundant, has always been a good attraction for men. Signs of mining activities date back to the Roman empire
, even if the greatest sites are more recent, namely 18th and 19th century. Extraction of iron and copper was finally abandoned by Lorena when it was no longer cost-efficient and productive. This itinerary will guide you to the discovery of those instruments which for centuries have allowed mining activities. Departure from: “La Fabbrica della Natura” – Distance: 9.0 km (5.6 mi) – Estimated duration: 3 hrs – Difficulty: medium – Suitable for: hikers4 - THE CIVILIZATION OF CHESTNUT – The roads of the chestnut
For centuries, since not too long ago, chestnut has been the backbone of the economy of the area and granted the survival of whole communities during famines. Walking the “road of the chestnut” is not only a way to improve your knowledge on the tree, but moreover a way to be aware of a massive cultural heritage, made of old agricultural tools and practices long forgotten which granted the survival of people in the past centuries. Departure from: “Castagneto Didattico” – Distance: 4 km (2.48 mi) – Estimated duration: 1 hr 30 min – Difficulty: easy – Suitable for: families – Mountain Bikes can be used.
5 - ST. FRANCIS AND HIS SACKCLOTH – St. Francis and the Castello di Montauto
Francis of Assisi, on his trail towards La Verna, used to stop in the Castello di Montauto, accommodated by his long-term friend Albert. During these stops, maybe aware of his incoming death, Francis left his sackcloth, mended with scotch broom’s stems, to his friend as a recollection of him. Nowadays, the area of Monti Rognosi is still full of places linked to St. Francis’ passage. Departure from: “La Fabbrica della Natura” – Distance: 12.5 km (7.76 mi) – Estimated duration: 4 hrs 30 mins – Difficulty: medium – Suitable for: hikers – Mountain Bikes can be used
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