Bellavista ring
We visit one of the most beautiful naturalistic places in the Serre, a Biogenetic Nature Reserve since 1977, the protected area “Marchesale” which is part of the municipalities of Arena and Acquaro and included in the European Network of Biogenetic Reserves.
Route info
MUNICIPALITIES AFFECTED: Acquaro (VV)
DEPARTURE: Locality Gallone-Fanelli, Piani di Acquaro (VV).
ARRIVAL: Locality Gallone-Fanelli, Piani di Acquaro (VV)
ROUTE TIME: about 5 h 30 min
DISTANCE: 9 km
DEVELOPMENT: 316 m
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE: 1,149 m above sea level.
MINIMUM AL TITUDE: 832 m above sea level.
DIFFICULTY: medium
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Description
Circular, easy route, on a dirt road for most of the way and with a discontinuous slope that will take us to visit a site of great charm and re-recognized as a SCI (Site of Community Importance). The background of the itinerary is an exceptional setting: the Marchesale Biogenetic Nature Reserve, which plays an important role as a natural corridor and in preserving the native ecotypes of this area. It starts from the locality Gallone-Fanelli of Piani di Acquaro reachable from the A3 SA/RC highway with the Serre exit continuing on the SP 4 towards Acquaro-Dinami or from the locality Boscoreggio, in the municipality of Dinami, from the SP 9.
Alternatively, from the SP 58 for Arena at the height of the ruins of the Nor-manno aqueduct, passing under its arches, we take the small road interpodera-le heading towards the locality Bove, characterized by the presence of scattered houses. We continue on towards the mountain and arrive at the dirt road that, after passing the picnic area and the “Speranza” forestry barracks, will take us to the locality Gallone. At the point where the dirt road, near a bend, meets the municipal road we will find a small road, again with a natural bottom, lined with alders. We will leave the car there.
We will proceed uphill, immersing ourselves in woods where the beech tree shows itself in all its beauty. Reaching a first crossroads we turn right leaving out the road closed by a bar on the left. Arriving at a stream, the path continues alongside it and then goes uphill and, at the next two forks, we keep left following the small road through the woods. Reaching the intersection with a wide dirt track (at the intersection of the canal for irrigation use) we turn right beginning an uphill section. The entire route is marked by CAI signs and we will find a fountain at which to quench our thirst. Shortly before the arrival, at the end of the dirt road, we will encounter a widening; we continue left, beginning a trat-to among the trees that descends to a stream. The stream is easy to cross. On the other side begins a picturesque stretch of about 400 m, skirting the canal for irrigation use characterized by granite formations. Our cammi-nium will take us back to the trail we took earlier, which, this time, we will follow to the right and at the next junction on the left will lead us back to our starting point.
AQUARO PLANS
Piani di Acquaro is a place of striking natural beauty with its rolling de-cliffs rich in springs and often cultivated fallow land with forests rising from the mountain slopes inland. Before embarking on our journey, let us stop to contemplate an enchanting view that brings together in a palette of colors the many aspects of this land. The view will allow us to sweep over the valley from the plain of Gioia Tauro to that of Lamezia Terme.
LEPRE ITALICA
Glades and pastures at the edge of forests are the ideal habitat for this species. Here the italic hare finds shelter in small depressions it digs in the ground among tall grass near rocks and bushes. This elusive little animal feeds on leaves, shoots, roots, fruits, mushrooms, twigs and bark. Active mainly at dusk and at night, during the day it remains hidden in vegetation. It is a fast runner that can reach up to 70 km per hour.
EUROPEAN RATE.
A relict belonging to the ancient Tertiary flora, the yew tree requires a special form of protection due to its very slow growth. It occurs as a shrub or small evergreen tree with a smooth trunk, normally short and conical, red-brown in color while the crown is a beautiful dark green, often pyramidal. The yew has been known since time immemorial as a poisonous plant and is therefore called the “al-bero of death”; the toxic principle, taxin, is contained in all its parts except the pulp of the aril. Yew wood has excellent elasticity and was used for the construction of the longbow, a weapon that played an important role in military history.In any case, supporters or detractors of such energy will not be able to remain indif-ferent in the face of the impressive advance of this technology.
AGRIFOGLIO
Immediately after leaving the small inter-modal road and entering the forest we can observe several hollyhocks along with the butcher’s broom, which, in large concen-trations, covers large areas of sloping ground among the trees. Everyone knows this plant because with its beautiful red berries it is one of the symbols of Christmas, but even in ancient times it was associated with magical powers: it was said to protect against demons and bring good luck. There are about 400 species in various shades of berries and leaves. It occurs as a tree or more frequently as a shrub. Today holly is rarely used in herbal medicine because of its toxicity.
BEANS
The beech tree (Fagus sylvatica) is a large tree that, under optimum vegetative conditions, can reach 40 meters. It is specimens like these that will rise majestically around us along the path we will travel. A combination of silvery-gray patches of the trunks and the vibrant, transparent green of the leaves. Beech wood, homogeneous and heavy, lacking in elasticity but resistant to bending, twisting and bumping was once used for railway sleepers, for many musical instruments and, before the advent of paper, in the form of writing tablets. In folk medicine, decoction of the bark was used in cases of fever, while ointments useful against inflammation were made from the charcoal and ash.