SD-GRAVEL Stage 6: Fosdinovo (MS) – Luni (SP)
PP: Fosdinovo (MS) Malaspina Castle - Q 520 masl
PA: Luni (SP) - Museum and archaeological area - Q 7 masl
Notes: The route begins with the famous ascent towards the Carrara Hutte in Campocecina: nearly 1000 m of ascent on a panoramic and quiet road. From the top of the Carrara Hutte you can choose among various possible descents: 1. a stretch on a path to be faced only with dry ground (from WP 6.07 to 6.05); 2. some technical passages on the long ridge from Castelpoggio to Fontia; 3. an ancient country roads to the magnificent village of Nicola. From there, a last steep descent will quickly lead you along the Parmignola stream. Alnd towards the end of this amazing adventure.
Description of the stage
From Fosdinovo you can not only see the sea, but you can “feel it”: with the gentle breeze, the salinity of the air and the feeble colors of the vegetation ...
You might have already noticed the change in the landscape yesterday, on the trail that connects Pulica with Monte Carboli. You are now much closer to the sea and to the final stage of this journey .You can see below you Luni, the port from which the Carrara marble was dispatched to any corners of the Mediterranean sea, to be turned into statues, pools and spas. We can say that it is where the Apuan Alps "are born", on the ridge that reached the top of Monte Sagro and continues bristling and twisted up to the Altissimo, Carchio mountains and beyond ...
The Apuan Alps and the Carrara marble, are unicum that marks any aspect of this territory and its people. From the hard work of the quarrymans that shaped and lived these mountains, to the marble veins of Michelangelo masterpieces, to the white rocky-wounds left by the removal of the marble blocks that “consume” the mountains from the fundations to the top.
Campocecina and the City of Carrara Hutte are meant to be the last and crucial stage of this journey, because here is where the marble journey starts and ends. From the Uccelliera square, you have an incredible view of the Carrara quarries, where you can find the Strada Marmifera and the Fantiscritti quarry-museum.
From here starts the last fabulous downhill of the journey which goes through Castelpoggio, Ortonovo or Nicola, reaching the Parmignola stream and at the Luni archaeological area. Once reached the valley, you can enjoy some relaxing time at the beach and some turistic explorations of the beautiful medieval Sarzana town and the Carrara quarries.
Alternative route
SD-GRAVEL.6A
Difference in height: flat
Length: 14.5 km;
Difficulty: TC / TC
QM: 20 masl
Notes: Short connection with Marinella di Sarzana and Sarzana.
From the Luni Museum, the route crosses the motorway on the new cycle / pedestrian bridge, arriving in Marinella through the "Tenuta Marinella''. By turning left, after the Parmignola stream, you can reach Marina di Carrara and Carrara.
The suggested track turns right and, following a long stretch of busy road on a lane reserved for bicycles, leads to Fiumaretta di Ameglia and to Sarzana.
NB: During the summer of 2020 the works for the construction of the cycle and pedestrian path (marked as Via Francigena Alta) were almost completed. The route goes along the hill-side and is already feasible with some well-indicated detours.
Technical notes
Connections:
From Fosdinovo to Sarzana or Luni following the SP72 downhill; from WP 6.04 to Castelpoggio and Carrara following the SP73 downhill; from Fontia to Carrara following the SP52 downhill. They are well-marked road routes.
Suggested stops: in Sarzana and Carrara there are countless possibilities for staying overnight; all the facility are easily found on the touristic websites.
Water-refill stations: Campocecina, Castelpoggio, Fontia, Ortonovo or Nicola.
Points of support and interest:
Rif.Carrara in Campocecina for lunch.
Luni - Museum and archaeological area +39 0187 66811 - http://www.luni.beniculturali.it/
Sarzana (SP) - Well preserved medieval village - http://ilovesarzana.com/
Carrara (Marble Museum, Fantiscritti, Colonnata ...) https://www.aptmassacarrara.it/