Walk through the Sinks biotope

Easy hike to discover Marco's Lavini biotope, an area protected for its unique features.

A simple but very interesting walk in the area of the Lavini di Marco biotope, where you can immerse yourself in an area of still intact forest in the middle of the town, with possible sightings of various species of animals, amphibians and birds that nest in the area. <p>It is a flat walk of about two hours, starting from the convenient parking lot next to the Rovereto Sud highway exit and going into the vineyards of the hamlet of Marco and then plunging into the wooded area of the biotope. There one finds oneself in a unique natural environment where time seems to stand still. One encounters two small lakes, Laghet Grand and Laghet Picol, set in a landscape shaped by ancient limestone landslides. The largest even dates back to before the last ice age, and over the centuries the land has continued to change, following the rhythms of nature.</p> <p>The two small lakes have formed within sinkholes, natural basins between landslide deposits. Their water level varies with the underground water table, because the bottom is permeable and allows water to slowly filter through. All around is a rich wetland vegetation, where amphibians such as newts and the common toad, small mammals and birds, along with plant species rare for Trentino, also find refuge. The biotope is surrounded by a black pine forest, which opens here and there to drier and sunnier areas, where plants adapted to calcareous soils grow.</p>