Located in one of the most enchanting corners of the Oltrepò Pavese, Varzi hides a unique treasure: the Valle della Luna (Moon Valley). This valley, nestled in the locality of Nivione, beyond the Staffora stream, is a place where the landscape suddenly changes, leaving room for a surreal scenario that seems to come from another world.
The Moon Valley is a place that defies the imagination. Leaving behind the green woods of Varzi, you arrive at a glacial basin surrounded by imposing walls of smooth white rock, shaped by erosion and wind over millennia. This natural spectacle, so different from the rest of the surrounding landscape, gives the observer the feeling of having landed on another planet, in an almost extraterrestrial environment.
Sunlight plays a key role in this landscape, creating a striking contrast between deep shadows and blinding brightness. The smooth, white rocks reflect the light in such a way as to evoke a mysterious and fascinating atmosphere, which has fuelled local legends and stories for centuries. It is not difficult to understand why this place has inspired myths about epic battles and fantastic creatures.
In addition to its aesthetic beauty, the Moon Valley is also an important geological site. The rocks that characterise this area hold within them the secrets of a remote past, evidenced by the presence of marine fossils, including shells and the remains of ancient organisms that lived in a sea that disappeared millions of years ago. These palaeontological finds are tangible proof that this area was once submerged by water, a primordial sea that has left its indelible mark on the landscape.
The conformation of the Moon Valley, with its distinctive clay rocks, is the result of a long process of erosion, which has shaped the terrain in a unique way. This geological phenomenon was mainly caused by the incessant action of rainwater and wind, which sculpted the rocks, creating deep incisions and spectacular ridges.
Within the Valle della Luna (Moon Valley), the Nevione gullies represent another natural wonder of Varzi. These geological formations, typical of the Oltrepò Pavese, are the result of an erosion process that has sculpted the land into deep furrows and ridges, creating a landscape as fascinating as it is fragile. The gullies are mainly composed of clayey rock, a material particularly sensitive to the erosive action of water and wind.
The steep walls and deep incisions that characterise the gullies create a unique, almost lunar-like environment that attracts many hiking and trekking enthusiasts. The paths that cross this area offer the opportunity to completely immerse oneself in nature, allowing visitors to discover the wild and uncontaminated beauty of this territory.
