The Straits of Giaredo
The Straits of Giaredo are a portion of the larger PROTECTED AREA called the Special Area of Conservation "Gordana Stream Valley." Extending for about 1,000 meters, the Giaredo Straits represent the lower section of the much larger rocky gorge of the Gordana stream that stretches for about 7Km from the village of Noce di Zeri (560m asl) to the abandoned settlement of Giaredo (300m asl), near Pontremoli. Here the watercourse flows between huge rocky blocks and vertical walls.
It can be accessed by guided tours organized by Sigeric during the summer season. The ascent of this gorge is an exciting experience and very interesting because of the special features of the surrounding environment for the fauna, flora and geology of the area. During your hike among the vertical walls you can admire the hanging tree formations of ash and alder, observe the Scolopendria commune, an interesting whole-leaf fern, indicative of alkaline soils, while it will be possible to encounter the Italic Frog and the Common Toad, as well as, among birds, the Yellow Wagtail and the Grey Heron, and, with a modicum of attention, you may catch sight of the Dipper intent on swimming and diving in the cold water in search of food. If you are lucky, while approaching the Straits Gorge, you may come across the Spotted salamander, the Alpine newt, theApennine yellow-bellied howler and the Strinati's Geotriton. The latter two species are very rare and, possessing curious and unique ecological and ethological characteristics, are indicative of the excellent natural conservation of the area.
