M. GOTTERO BIG LOOP

Mount Gottero is a peak of the eastern Ligurian Apennines (1639 m above sea level) located between Liguria and Emilia-Romagna, close to Tuscany and Lunigiana (the three regions converge at Foce Tre Confini, just SE of the summit).

The mountain

The peak is the highest elevation of the homonymous group, defined to the NW by the Centocroci Pass (between the provinces of Parma and La Spezia) and to the E by the Brattello Pass (between the provinces of Parma and Massa Carrara), with the central portion always above 1650 m. Mount Gottero also constitutes the highest point of the province of La Spezia.

Origin and nature

Mount Gottero is characterized by a sandstone substrate and shows traces of glacial morphology on the northern slope, while the southern slope is marked by steeper inclines and rock outcrops, mainly sandstone. The vegetation, except for the summit dome which features meadows, is largely characterized by beech cover and at lower altitudes, chestnut and Turkey oak; some reforestations with conifers are also present.

The mountain and the surrounding area are part of the SIC (Site of Community Importance) named Monte Gottero - Passo del Lupo (code: IT1342908).