Birds of Prey

Climbers from all over the world know the Finale area as a simply amazing place, with a unique limestone rock, and endless paths and climbing routes that have become part of the history of climbing. The rock in Finale, where climbers live out their vertical passion, is the result of long geological and environmental processes that have transformed the current landscape of Finale making it rich in plateaus, valleys of varying widths, vertical rock walls, hills and caves: a natural environment that is still for the most part intact, inhabited by many animal and plant species, that today represents the biggest and most extensive biodiversity related to a coastal environment in the whole of Liguria. In fact it is possible to find native flowers (in particular the well known Campanula Isophylla) and examples of fauna that are of great naturalistic interest like the ocellated lizard, the peregrine falcon and the eagle owl. To these should be added the important archaeological remains left by pre-historic man, by the Romans and by our medieval ancestors, that give the area not only an environmental but also a cultural and historical importance. This beautiful area however is fragile and vulnerable and to be maintained intact for future generations suitable forms of protection need to be taken. In fact, even if walking along footpaths and climbing are amazing activities, they are even more so if the territory in which they take place is respected by those who use it. In 1994, after an agreement reached between climbers, the WWF and LIPU, the Province of Savona identified several areas and climbing crags where climbing is prohibited to allow birds of prey to nest. There are very few areas in the rest of the world where it is possible to climb in the same area where falcons and eagle owls nest, and for Finale this is an essential quality that goes over and above the idea of bolting a crag at all costs to the detriment of rare and protected species. In Finale, the outdoor environment is an important tourist resource, but this must not become harmful to the territory. We are convinced that people who are truly passionate about the outdoor environment and climbing are aware of the value and potential of such a rare and unique environment, and are able to maintain an equilibrium with the nature that surrounds them.

REGOLAMENTAZIONI SUI PARCHEGGI E CRITICITÀ VARIE

The roads that lead to the climbing sites (specifically Perti, Monte Sordo, Rocca di Corno, Boragni and Bric Reseghe) allow you to reach the starting points by car. However, on these roads there is almost everywhere a ban on parking, as these routes are very narrow and transit must always be guaranteed especially for emergency vehicles. For the same reason, on the final stretch (last 3-5-km) of the Perti - Pian Marino road that leads to the Monte Sordo sector and to the north and west walls of the Rocca di Perti, there are length and weight limits, which do not allow the transit of campers and vans. On the road leading to Monte Sordo - from Piazza Martiri Perticesi onwards - there are bans both for transit and parking for all campervans and vans, as well as along the Calvisio Vecchia road (Via Bedina and neighboring roads). More generally throughout the territory of the Municipality of Finale Ligure, there is a general ban on camping and staying overnight in vehicles outside the authorized areas for reasons of decorum and public health. The Local Police frequently check the indicated areas.

Parking and areas where theft is a risk: It has now been a problem for many years, particularly in certain parking areas that lead to the crags Rocca di Perti, Superpanza, Rocca di Corno, Boragni and Noli, and the problem of theft from cars and damage to windows and tyres continues to occur. Also, the areas where this happens are unfortunately increasing. We seriously recommend not leaving anything in the car, especially valuables, and to leave the boot area uncovered so that it is obvious that the car is completely empty, and is of no interest to anyone with ill intentions.

AKNOWLEDGMENTS

Alessandro Grillo, Alessandro Vergano&Marta Tosco, Alessio Chiappino, Andrea Costaguta, Anna Enrich&Mike Schwitter, Bibo Colnaghi, Cesare Marchesi, Daniele Canale, Davide Carena, Davide Scotto, Enrico Cella, Filippo Rizzo, Fulvio Balbi, Fulvio Vigo, Giancarlo Gabutto, Giorgio Delfino, Giovanni Rocca, Guido Nota, Luciano Pizzorni, Marco Pukli, Matteo Felanda, Mauro Carena, Mauro Rossi, Michaela Fischer, Renato Berruti, Renato Delfino, Silvio Ivaldi, Tommy Longo, Umberto Pellegrini, Yorick Fischli.

Also I thank all those people who have helped me occasionally but unfortunately I don’t know their names and those that I may have forgotten... THANK YOU!