Orrido di Botri Canyon appeared in the rocks of the Apuan Alps at the foot of the Rondinaio Mountain. Cold spring waters which fall into a river indented soft limestone and created the Canyon of Orrido di Botri fascinating by its inaccessibility. Cliffs of the canyon are in some places as deep as two hundred meters.
Undoubtedly, the canyon is dangerous for untrained travelers. That is why you are allowed to visit the canyon only with authorized guides. Besides, considering tourist safety and nature protection, trips to the canyon are allowed only in summer.
You can review terms of visiting Orrido di Botri at information centers in Lucca (Lucca Uffico Foreste Demaniali) or in Ponte a Gaio (Corpo Forestale dello Stato a Ponte a Gaio).
A trip to Orrido di Botri starts in Ponte a Gaio. After short instructions, you can go along one of the two trails of different difficulty level with experienced guides. In both cases, tourists are in for passages with slippery rocks so you need to wear a protective helmet which will be provided by the travel agency. It’s better to take care of the appropriate clothing and footwear in advance by yourself. Keep in mind that while entering the cave tourists will have to sink their legs into water up to their knees.
A trip to Orrido di Botri Canyon is for sure an exciting experience and a chance to test your endurance. Severe beauty of the canyon is definitely worth effort.
To preserve the nature of the canyon, the nature resort of La Riserva naturale dell'Orrido di Botri was created here in the year of 1971. Flora and fauna of the resort differs greatly in its different areas. Moss and fern prevail in the most cold and humid places. However, nature revives in more favorable conditions. Beech, black hornbeam, ash tree, stone oak, maple, willow, and wild linden grow on the territory of the resort. Roes, deer, hares, squirrels, marmots, foxes, polecats, and martens inhabit the leaf woods of the resort. Royal eagle dominates in the sky above the canyon.
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