SP_14 Ring path of Bozi di Saudino

Liguria has a wide variety of different landscapes including rivers and lakes, such as the area of the Regional Park of Montemarcello-Magra-Vara, which includes 20 municipalities for a total extension of 4300 ha. In the park, a few minutes from Sarzana's historical centre, it is possible to visit the “Bozi di Saudino” nature reserve. It is the largest wetland in Liguria, particularly important from a naturalistic point of view for the presence of several animals and plants. The vegetation is characterised by species which are typical of wetlands (poplar, willow, and reeds), while many birds, both non-migratory and migratory live in the area (belted kingfisher, eurasian penduline tit, eurasian bittern, heron, ducks, wading birds and osprey). Moreover several amphibians are found, including frogs, toads and crested newts. The water reservoirs which constitute the “Bozi di Saudino” were dug in the past to extract gravel and clay. This activity stopped in the 1970s and the abandoned quarry was spontaneously colonized by plants and animals. The area is open to the tourists since 2014 after its environmental requalification. Two loop trails allow to visit the area (“Saudino” loop and “Boceda” loop), separated by Canale Lunense canal