The Green Valley: An Introduction
The Val di Vara — the valley carved by the Vara river through the Ligurian Apennines — has earned its nickname as the Valle del Biologico (Organic Valley). Its relative isolation from industrial development, combined with a long tradition of low-intensity farming, has preserved habitats that have disappeared across much of lowland Italy. For naturalists, birdwatchers, and anyone who simply loves being in wild places, the valley and its surrounding hills offer exceptional rewards.
The Vara River and Its Riparian Habitats
The Vara river is the ecological spine of the region. Its clear, fast-flowing waters support a range of aquatic life including trota fario (brown trout), vairone (a native cyprinid), and the increasingly rare European freshwater crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes). The riverbanks are lined with alder, willow, and black poplar — a riparian forest ecosystem that provides nesting habitat for kingfishers, grey herons, and the elusive dipper (Cinclus cinclus), a small bird that walks underwater along stream beds to feed.
The Vara and its tributaries are also important corridors for river otters, which have been gradually returning to Ligurian waterways after near-extinction in the 20th century — their presence is a genuine conservation success story.
Forest Wildlife: What Lives in the Chestnut Woods
The chestnut, oak, and beech forests covering the hills above Maissana are far more alive than they first appear. Patient and quiet walkers may encounter:
- Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) — common at woodland edges, most active at dawn and dusk
- Wild boar (Sus scrofa) — abundant and often heard rooting in leaf litter, though shy around humans
- Badger (Meles meles) — nocturnal; look for their distinctive excavated setts at the base of old trees
- Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) — still present here, unlike in much of lowland Italy where the grey squirrel has displaced it
- Stone marten (Martes foina) — secretive but not uncommon; sometimes seen crossing roads at night
Birds of the Apennine Hills
The Ligurian Apennines sit on an important migratory flyway, making spring and autumn excellent for birdwatching. Resident and breeding species include:
- Short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) — a spectacular raptor that specialises in hunting snakes; soars on thermals above open ridges
- Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) — nests on rocky outcrops, often visible hunting over the valley
- Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) — a summer migrant that digs out wasp nests; look for it in woodland clearings
- Middle spotted woodpecker and black woodpecker — both present in old-growth beech and chestnut stands
- Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) — heard churring at dusk on open heathland in summer
Wildflowers and Botanical Interest
The meadows, woodland edges, and rocky outcrops of the area support a remarkable diversity of wildflowers, particularly in May and June:
- Wild orchids, including Orchis mascula and Dactylorhiza maculata
- Yellow Genista broom, which covers hillsides in a blaze of colour in spring
- Apennine violet (Viola eugeniae) — an endemic species found at higher elevations
- Cyclamen in autumn woodland floors
Protected Areas and Conservation
Parts of the region fall within the Parco Naturale Regionale di Montemarcello-Magra-Vara, which provides legal protection to key habitats and species. The park authority manages trails, conducts wildlife monitoring, and runs educational programmes. Visitors are encouraged to report wildlife sightings — particularly of wolves, which have naturally recolonised the Ligurian Apennines from the southern packs that never disappeared.
Tips for Wildlife Watching
- Go early — most mammals and many birds are most active in the first two hours after sunrise
- Move slowly and quietly on forest paths
- Bring binoculars — 8×42 is a versatile choice for this mixed terrain
- Keep dogs on leads in sensitive areas, particularly near nesting sites
- Never approach, feed, or disturb wild animals