On Tuesday 6 July, a full-day excursion to the exceptional site of the nature reserve of Orrido di Botri, in the Province of Lucca (Tuscany), is proposed to the IWSM participants.

The Orrido di Botri is an impressive calcareous gorge, characterized by deep steep walls, as high as 200 meters, and in some parts only a few meters apart. It looks like a karstic canyon, a narrow sunken valley, created by the eroding action of the Pelago creek on the limestone rock of the Apennines. The creek itself between the rocky walls forms a rare and scenic natural environment of great geological and naturalist interest.
	In 1971 the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests established the nature reserve of Orrido di Botri and Balzonero, making it possible to preserve this special site, where flora and fauna find an ideal, intact and protected habitat. The flora is particularly rich and interesting: numerous botanical species can be found which are rare elsewhere, including the uncommon butterwort (Pinguicola vulgaris), a insectivorous plant, with purple flowers and sticky leaves for capturing the small insects it feeds on.
Thanks to its intact nature, the Orrido di Botri area is also an excellent environment for numerous animal species, number one among these is the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), which still nests here along with many other predator bird species.
Visit to the Orrido are only allowed accompanied by authorized guides. Both for the preservation of the natural environment and the safety of excursionists, it is possible to visit the Gorge in summertime only. There are two itineraries of impressive beauty and varying difficulty, but it is quite a demanding excursion, with several fords and slippery surfaces. For this reason it is obligatory to wear protective helmets, supplied by guides themselves before starting the tour. It is strongly recommended to wear casual clothes and shoes suitable for this kind of excursion.
Behaviour rules. Any misbehaviour that can endanger the preservation of nature, flora and fauna is forbidden inside the reserve. In particular, disturbing the wild fauna, lighting fires, picking flowers and plants, removing minerals and littering the area is strictly prohibited. It is also forbidden to abandon authorized routes during the excursions.