Anello Saudino route

Access by car:
Exit the motorway at the tollbooth of Sarzana and continue to Bozzi di Saudino.

Bozzi di Saudino_Anello Saudino
Bozzi di Saudino_Loop Saudino

Description:
The little lakes called Bozi di Saudino are actually wetlands of artificial origin resulting from former quarries of clay and gravel, later flooded by the ground water. The historical archives indicate that the first clay mining operations there date back to around the middle of the nineteenth century. The quarries were used to supply two important furnaces located in Silea and Fondamento (Fratelli Saudino's furnace). The excavations along the bank of Magra river ceased in the mid 1970s due to the exhaustion of the appropriate mining areas. Since then, along the lake shores a dense bank vegetation has naturally grown, while aquatic plants have developed in the stretches of water. The re-generated environment has fostered a rich aquatic and terrestrial fauna. Nowadays Bozi di Saudino, entirely located within the Sarzana municipality, represent the most extended wetland in Liguria. The area has been classified by the European Union as a Site of Community Importance and since 2001 it has been included within the boundaries of the Regional Natural Park of Montemarcello-Magra. In 2011 an agreement has been reached between the Montemarcello-Magra Park authority and the Municipality of Sarzana to implement a programme of recovery, enhancement and management of the area. During 2013 and 2014 the Park authority has implemented a number of important measures funded by Regional Action Programme (PAR) FAS 2007-2013 to promote a better use of the area and the safeguard of its natural assets. The visit to the Bozi lakes can take place along two different loops, the Boceda loop, that takes you close to the older quarries (route n. 329) and the Saudino loop, that reaches the quarries that have been used more recently (route n. 330).
The Saudino loop (n. 330) reaches the lakes on the east side of Canale Lunense. It has three different accesses (S. Michele, Rigoletto, Fondamento), one place equipped for birdwatching and a number of information panels to illustrate the area main characteristics in terms of ecosystem and history.

Start Point: Bozzi di Saudino
End Point: Bozzi di Saudino
Classification: XC
Difficulty: easy/moderate
Distance: 2,45 km
Elevation gain/loss: 0/0
Rideability +/- : 98%
Time: 1h
Water Points: 0
Shuttle service: not available
Best Period: all year