Lunigiana Off-Road tour 2022, the first tour of the year starts from Liguria, precisely from Sarzana. What you will discover is not just a simple tour, but a small journey to discover unique places that characterize our country. And what’s better than off-road vehicles to reach these destinations, away from traffic, immersed in the nature between the sea and the Apuan Alps.

Day 1

The sun shines on the dock in front of our bungalows, the moored boats are reflected in the canal, and we are ready to walk our first thousand meters of altitude to enter the “heart of marble” of the Apuan Alps. We cross the city of Carrara heading towards the first marble basin that we will meet, that of Torano, where there are the quarries from which it is believed that Michelangelo drew the material for his works. We still walk a few hundred meters to access the most beautiful and famous Gallery Quarry in the world, “Galleria Ravaccione n ° 84” also known as Cava di Carlon, the one who first opened it in the 1960s, walking through the tunnel you get to the actual excavation.

From a narrow tunnel you reach the heart of the mountain which opens into two huge rooms obtained precisely from the extraction of marble, where today no more digging is done and are used for fashion events or vehicle or company presentations. This environment is called The Cathedral and is located right in the center of the mountain at about 450 a.s.l. and about 400/410 meters from the summit, while it is 600 meters from the entrance of the tunnel and 600 meters from the exit on the other side of the mountain in the second marble basin that of Miseglia exiting the tunnel in Fantiscritti.

Marble everywhere!

We go up the steep climbs in the Grand Canal, the dirt road takes the place of the asphalt and we reach the highest altitude within the basin at about 950 meters above sea level. The intact peaks of the mountains that cannot be excavated above 1000 meters which, wrapped in clouds, create a Dantesque landscape, on one side the view of the Apuan Alps and on the other the view of the sea dominated by a sky that is anything but clear. Continuing from here, one heads into the third basin that of Colonnata, perhaps better known for its famous Lardo than for its marble.

From here we reached Monte Brugiana by off-road tracks precisely at the Monte Brugiana Trekking Center in the province of Massa, where we were greeted by a group of horses who accompanied us to the point of our abundant refreshment. The way back to Sarzana was in a mix of dirt and aspahlt roads among the Vigne del Candia, a local liqueur product reminiscent the Passito.

The sun no longer shines, it has given way to the universal deluge, without being too discouraged we get back on the road to cross the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, first crossing the Val di Vara. Unfortunately, for the weather conditions, we do not have too many hopes of admiring the splendid views that sweep over the two valleys formed by the main waterways that cross the territory, the Vara and the Magra. Here you should see the features of the historic Lunigiana.

In order not to miss anything, the heavy storm of the night caused the fall of some plants on the track which, thanks to the logistical support of the Sarzana Fuoristrada Club, promptly removed from our route.

The Lunigiana takes its name from the ancient port of Luni dating back to the times of ancient Rome empire from which the famous marble left by sea, while these roads are assumed to be the main connecting crossroads that in medieval times connected the various castles and outposts in these valleys.

Yes, but what about lunch?

Going up from Stadomelli and crossing Beverone, we will reach Casoni di Suvero, an important artery of the famous Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, at an altitude of 1000 meters a.s.l. With a similar weather and at this altitude, a meal based on polenta, wild boar ragù and warm dishes typical of the area could not be missing.

Going down we change side of the mountain, again towards Veppo and Rocchetta Vara, and subsequently, we go up again to the highest altitude along a fair stretch of the important road connecting the Ligurian mountains to the valley of Calice al Cornoviglio, where it dominates one of the spectacular castle present on the territory, which belonged to the Malaspina family. Going down to the villages of Bolano and Montedivalli, the first in Liguria and the other in Tuscany even if, bordering on each other in such a way as to “confuse” the people who live there giving life to the hybrid population that, from always, lives in these areas. We cover the last kilometers on asphalt in the direction of our cakdo but above all dry bungalow.

Even today rain, water everywhere, where you look you look, water… Patience what matters is to find a way to have fun, the right company is there and today the Club del Sarzana has made its fords track available for us, so in this last half day of travel we abandon the paths that wind through the valleys and we put our vehicles on the wet obstacles of the test area.

Not to be monotonous but the weather has changed the menu of the day and the planned grill has given way to the skilled hands of the women of the Club who prepared us (I don’t remember the name of the pasta) and (I don’t even remember the name of the fried gnocchi) accompanied by cold cuts of the area, and not to miss the sweet also this hand made with pies with artisan jams.

The time to say goodbye is always a bit sad even if you are tired, but in your heart and mind there are all those moments spent together that make each journey unique, and if I have to put it in one word I say UNFORGETTABLE!