Riserva naturale statale Gola del Furlo, State nature reserve in Pesaro and Urbino Province, Italy.
The Gola del Furlo is a state nature reserve featuring a gorge carved through limestone mountains by a river over millions of years. The reserve covers a large forested area with steep rocky walls on both sides and several peaks in the surrounding landscape.
The Romans constructed a tunnel through the gorge in the 1st century to improve travel across the Apennines along an important trade route. Archaeologists have also found evidence of even older passages that may have been created by earlier civilizations.
A museum in the reserve displays exhibits about local traditions and geological formations of the area. Visitors can learn how people have lived and worked within this mountain landscape over time.
Visitors will find information centers offering detailed maps and guidance for hiking trails suited to different ability levels. It is best to wear sturdy footwear and plan visits during milder months, as conditions can be challenging during extreme seasons.
The gorge contains multiple ancient passages, including one that may have been created by peoples who lived in the area long before the Romans arrived. These older routes show how important this corridor has been for travelers across many centuries.
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