Finale Outdoor Region, a paradise for climbers and...for birds of prey!

PARTIAL AND PERMANENT CLIMBING BANS IN FORCE SINCE 1994 PROTECT THE NESTING OF BIRDS OF PREY SUCH AS THE PEREGRINE FALCON AND THE EAGLE OWL, PROTECTED SPECIES THAT CHOOSE THE FINALE AREA EVERY YEAR TO START THEIR FAMILY.

Finale Ligure and the entire Finale Outdoor Region are the destinations of hundreds of thousands of bikers, hikers, and climbers who, from all over the world, come here every year to practice outdoor activities. If this happens, it is because the Finale area is equipped to practice sporting activities but, above all, it is unique, beautiful and rich in biodiversity, and, at the same time, fragile. It is up to all of us who practice outdoor activities to respect and protect it, first and foremost by respecting restrictions and rules.

In particular, its famous limestone crags and over 200 climbing areas with no less than 4000 routes make the Finale area a true paradise for climbers, but not only for them: in fact, here, thanks to the rocky habitat suitable for reproduction, every year birds of prey such as the Peregrine Falcon and the Eagle Owl deposit their eggs. Their presence, being at the top of the food chain, is an indicator of the good health of the ecosystem in which they live and for which we must always have great respect.

Hence the decision of the Province of Savona - after an agreement made between climbers, WWF, and LIPU dating back to 1994 - to ban climbing in certain areas and crags in the Finale area, precisely in defense of nesting birds of prey.

As every year, therefore, we would like to remind to all clibers that January is the most crucial period for the birds of prey living in our marvelous area begins, as their reproductive cycle is beginning, which will lead to the laying of eggs, the feeding of the newborn pullets and, finally, their fledging in late spring. 

Foto: Carlo Lovisolo

In 2022, the reproductive rate was positive: thanks to the vast majority of climbers who respected the bans, we could assist the birth of a valuable new generation of birds of prey. It is admirable how, in the Finale Ligure area, we have succeeded in combining the activity of sport climbing with the protection of rock raptors,' comments Carlo Lovisolo, CEA Finale Ligure Environmental Hiking Guide and WWF member.

This year, as in previous years, we therefore ask all climbers to respect the seasonal ban from 1 January to 31 July, and the total ones, all year round. Here is the list of protected walls :

• Caprazzoppa: total ban from the TV repeater to the sea cliff under the Torre Colombara (downstream of Via Aurelia ), EAST SOUTH side
• Pianarella: total ban after 'Via Lunga' (which remains open) until San Bernardino.
• Monte Tolla: seasonal ban from 1 January to 31 July
• Bric Reseghe: seasonal ban from 1 January to 31 July
• Casa del Vacchè: total ban from beyond "Peter Pan" route to the beginning of the Cornei Valley near the Cornei bridge.
• Rocca di Corno: total ban from beyond  "Il Futuro è un'Ipotesi" route to the proximity of the Cornei Bridge.
• Rocca degli Uccelli: seasonal ban from 1 January to 31 July
• Bastionata di Boragni: seasonal ban from 1 January to 31 July, right and central sectors.
• Capo Noli: total ban on the entire cliff from above Via Aurelia

For the complete list of routes in the Finale Outdoor Region, updates on bans, and the status of the crags, visit the LIVE INFO section