Legend

Alta Via dei Parchi Road Autostrada Railway Water course Regional Park National Park Food and lodging facilities Pass Mountain THE ALTA VIA Built-up area DEI PARCHI A long hike in the northern Apennines

The path cirques, lakes surrounded by the splen- the environment for centuries, the tra- (Info: http://ambiente.regione.emilia- Gesso stands out: among its very differ- delle Valli del Cedra e del Parma”, which A fantastic journey through the north- dor of high altitude grasslands, endless ditional mountain economy disap- romagna.it/parchi-natura2000/altavia). ent habitats the rocky southern cliffs includes part of the valleys having the ern Apennines, a sequence of distant forests and clear streams, volcanic peared in a matter of a couple genera- are undoubtedly the most striking. same name and is joined to the previ- horizons and boundless vistas, an rocks and gypsum cliffs. All of this can tions: vast areas became uninhabited The environment Mediterranean species which adjusted ously mentioned park. Following this is immersion in today’s Apennines, the be experienced in serenity at a walking and free to follow their natural evolu- Two thirds of the Alta Via path follow to dryness and extreme insolation flour- the “Parco regionale dell’Alto Appennino discovery of sensations and emotions pace. The wealth of naturalistic and tion, towards more mature and com- the northern Apennine ridge, through ish in this area, whereas the high Modenese” and the “Parco regionale del one might have otherwise thought for- environmental wonders is matched by plex environmental forms. natural environments of rare beauty. Apennines climatic conditions have Corno alle Scale”, which embrace the ever lost: the Alta Via dei Parchi is all of the rich historic stratification left by Meanwhile, the creation of a wide net- The upper parts of the Emilia ridge allowed the survival of plants and ani- eastern side of the Emilia ridge. In the this and much more. The trail takes in the passing centuries: old streets and work of protected areas has helped clearly show glacial sculpting and are mals which are relicts of the ice age. Bologna mid-mountain we find the all the best the Apennine mountains hump-backed bridges, archaic place- encourage and guide this process, giv- rich in lakes, vast grasslands and blue- “Parco regionale dei Laghi di Suviana e can offer: from Berceto, near the Cisa names, monasteries, abbeys and her- ing a substantial form to the modern berry moors. Lower down the forest The Parks Brasimone, whereas the “Parco region- Pass, to the cliffs of La Verna, stretched mitages. There are also the humble feeling for environmental issues. thickly stretches over both sides; beech The Alta Via route crosses two national ale della Vena del Gesso romagnola” over the Casentino (with a detour you traces left by centuries of rural life in trees prevail almost everywhere above parks, one interregional park and five protects an extraordinary outcrop of can reach Mount Carpegna, in the park the harsh mountain environment, such The Alta Via is divided into 27 stages, 800 metres, but there also are fir regional parks. All but one, the “Vena del chalky rocks. Finally, the “Parco nazion- of Sasso Simone and Simoncello) the as ruins of houses and stables, shelters which end in locations equipped with woods; the Casentino Forests retain Gesso Romagnola” park, which is in a ale delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte path stretches out for about 500 km of for lumberjacks and shepherds, coal facilities where one can spend the night some of the most beautiful groves in hilly location, are located along the Falterona e Campigna” envelops the ascents and descents which connect yards, century-old chestnut woods, and have dinner (refuges, hostels, Italy, including the ancient mixed forest Apennine ridge. We will look at the Tuscany-Romagna ridge with an unbro- two national parks, one interregional and the remains of terracing. All this guesthouses, cottages, etc.). Many facili- of Sasso Fratino. In the mid-mountain parks from West to East. The “Parco ken mantle of forests, while the “Parco Parco park and five regional parks. The Alta contributes to “make” today’s ties are open only during the summer; the natural vegetation is rapidly nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco- interregionale del Sasso Simone e interregionale Via allows a direct contact with the Apennines, which we are observing prior inquiry is always advisable, in reclaiming lands which used to be Emiliano” extends from the Parma area Simoncello” protects valuable habitats Sasso Simone different environments that compose during a very peculiar time in history. order to gather all the necessary infor- worked by man. In the hills of Romagna to most of the high mountains of among which one of Europe’s largest e Simoncello the varied Apennine landscape: glacial After exerting enormous pressure on mation about the facilities’ availability the unique microcosm of the Vena del Reggio. Next is the “Parco regionale forests of Turkey oaks.

hikes along the ridge and then through of all the ups and downs. Sharp (1753 m), a harsh environment domi- radio station.The ridge offers sweeping wooded valley of Ozola and, towards unforgettable views of the Apuan of the Campi di Annibale one reach- Editorial coordination Contributors 1 the rocks of the Emilian side. There rocky ridges and very steep chan- 3 nated by the rocks of Mount Alto. From views towards the Garfagnana and the the Garfagnana, a wild range of land- Alps. Upon arrival the hiker is greet- 7 es Boccaia Pass, then a short descent Regione Emilia-Romagna trails data bank BERCETO (808 m) will be some climbing in order to over- nels fall towards the Lunigiana ter- PRATO SPILLA (1350 m) there, a rocky trail quickly leads to the Apuan Alps, by now near, while on the slides at the head of the valley of the ed by the serene beauty of the ancient SAN PELLEGRINO IN ALPE (1524 m) through the woods leads to Lake Assessorato Ambiente e Servizio geologico, sismico e dei suoli LAGO SANTO PARMENSE (1508 m) come the obstacles posed by a com- ritory, whereas on the Emilian side PASSO DEL CERRETO (1261 m) sources of the Secchia river, at the cent- Po Valley side, the unmistakable out- Serchio di Soraggio, with the limestone hospice of San Pellegrino in Alpe. LAGO SANTO MODENESE (1501 m) Santo, dominated by the large north- Riqualificazione urbana - Regione Emilia-Romagna: Roberto GRADIENT: +1550 m / -850 m plex morphology. Through beech for- the slopes are gentler: they descend GRADIENT: +1480 m / -1400 m er of a valley well known for its wild line of the Bismantova Stone stands walls of the Ripa that seem to block the From Lama Lite the hiker goes back GRADIENT: +720 m / -700 m ern slope of Mount Giovo, with its Servizio Parchi e Risorse forestali Bertozzi HIKING TIME: 9 hours ests and reforestation areas one gets through hollows and glacial tiers sep- HIKING TIME: 7.30 hours beauty. Not too far from the Pianaccio out beyond the forests of the valley of stream’s flow. After the smashed rocks on the ridge, walking along the rocky HIKING TIME: 5.30 hours series of ledges. On the banks of the Viale della Fiera 8 - 40127 Bologna and CAI Regional Group Emilia- (Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino to the beautiful marshy basin of Lake arated by ridges and rocks, up to the (Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Plateau one reaches the Ospedalaccio the Riarbero stream, and dominates of Le Porraie, the little San Bartolomeo spurs of Mount Prado, with sweep- (Parco Regionale dell’Alto Appennino lake there are four refuges, very pop- Tel. + 39 051 5276080 Romagna Tosco-Emiliano) Padre, and from there in just a few vast forests that cover the Val Parma. Tosco-Emiliano) Pass, marked by a boundary stone in the mamelons of Triassic evaporates, church announces Romecchio Pass, ing views of the upper Dolo valley, Modenese) ular in the summertime and on week- Fax + 39 051 5276957 Protected Nature Areas data bank minutes to the shores of Lake Santo After skirting the wooded valley of the memory of the borders of the Kingdom where fluvial erosion cut the character- which in the past used to be of some covered by the Abetina Reale forests. ends. The road that climbs up the Valle [email protected] Servizio Parchi e risorse forestali The first leg of the Alta Via is long and the historic Mariotti Refuge, which Riserva Statale di Guadine Pradaccio, A long hike connects the two low- of Italy. The pass takes its name from istic glistening slopes. After the stony importance. Next is the Focerella Pass, A gentle climb leads to the wide sad- This is a beautiful stage moving delle Tagliole ends in the parking lot, a est passes of the Emilian Apennines, towards the highest mountains in the http://ambiente.regione.emilia- - Regione Emilia-Romagna: Marco and demanding, but offers a wide stands in the middle of an area of established over forty years ago, one a medieval hospital whose location grounds of the Borra Grande the path crossed by a forest road that may be dle of Bocca di Massa (1816 m), then quarter of an hour away. variety of environments, ranging from both at 1200 metres above sea level Modena area and the renowned tour- romagna.it/parchi-natura2000/altavia Pattuelli great natural interest. The crystal clear can see the Capanne di Badignana, an was found during recent excavations. becomes less rough, and it descends useful in case of bad weather to quick- the path descends along the sce- the agricultural landscape of the mid basin, full of trout and char, is charm- old barn now used as a bivouac that and separated by the big mountainous Cerreto Pass is easily reached hiking to Belfiore Pass through low blueber- ly reach the Bargetana Refuge. The Alta nic ridge that lowers at Forbici Pass, ist destination Lago Santo. Edited by Contributing Parks’ management Apennines to the rugged peaks of the ing, is surrounded by forests, and is may be useful in bad weather. Several block of Alpe di Succiso-M. Alto-Punta through woods and grasslands, with ry heaths dotted with rhododendrons, Via, on the other hand, continues on where it crosses the forest road that From San Pellegrino one immediately 8 LAGO SANTO MODENESE Enzo Valbonesi, Monica Palazzini, Authorities ridge. dominated by the layered rocks of stretches of water flow further down, Buffanaro. sweeping views of the cirque of Mount an alpine plant which grows only in the ridge, going up stony ground and goes from Casone di Profecchia to goes up through the woods along the (1502 m) It starts in front of the cathedral of San Mount Sterpara. With a surface area below the path: the tiny Lake Bicchiere From Prato Spilla one goes up to the La Nuda. The latter will be ascended in a few locations in the Apennines. The expanses of blueberries to the sum- the Abetina Reale sawmill, along the mule track leading to Giro del Diavolo, ABETONE (La Consuma, 1340 m) Antonella Lizzani and Maria Vittoria Parco nazionale Tosco - Emiliano: GRADIENT: Biondi Valerio Fioravanti, Francesca Moretti, Moderanno di Berceto, a place trod- of 81,550 square metres, Lake Santo is and, further away, Lake Scuro and the basin of Lake Verdarolo, followed by the next stage. first twisted beeches are the spearhead mit plateau of Mount Castellino (1952 route of an ancient road. A nearby a great heap of stones placed by pil- +960 m / -1120 m HIKING TIME: Giuseppe Vignali den by the footsteps of countless pil- the largest natural lake in the northern Lagoni, embedded in the beech woods tiny Lake Scuro, which is surround- of the forest that envelopes the trail m), the highest point of the path. The memorial stone recalls the eight par- grims near the ridge over the centu- 7 hours grims; it was the last inhabited out- Apennines. One might arrive here in at the foot of the Rocca Pumacciolo. At ed by a beech forest, and then by Lake shortly afterwards. At Cavorsella Pass, view encompasses a vast horizon, tisans killed in action in August 1944. ries. From there one might take the (Parco Regionale dell’Alto Appennino Parco regionale Valli del Cedra e del post before Monte Bardone (now the less than an hour’s hike from Lagdei, last one reaches Mount Sillara (1859 Squincio, more open and flooded with 4 not far away, one meets a comforta- where the jagged outline of the Apuan A path halfway up the mountain- path arriving from Radici Pass which Modenese) Texts Parma: Marco Rossi, Barbara Vernizzi Cisa Pass) for anyone traveling along where a road coming up from Bosco di m), the highest peak in the Parma marsh grasses; a short descent from PASSO DEL CERRETO (1261 m) ble forest path that leads to Pradarena Alps and the nearby imposing bulk of side leads to Giovarello Pass; here one remains close to the ridge (with Mario Vianelli Parco regionale Alto Appennino the medieval Via Francigena towards Corniglio arrives. area. The nearby Sillara Lakes, just there goes to the Lagastrello Dam, PASSO PRADARENA (1579 m) Pass, the highest vehicular pass in the Mount Cusna stand out. Among the leaves the ridge to descend along a many ups and downs), but it is pref- Though this is a fascinating stage in Stages 25, 26 and 27 were written by modenese: Leonardo Bartoli Rome. From the village one goes up to below the ridge, seem to float in the which is an alternative access point to GRADIENT: +940 m / -620 m northern Apennines. boulders of the almost level ridge is paved mule track to the swampy val- erable to follow the beautiful forest terms of environment and landscape, Sandro Bassi Parco regionale Corno alle Scale: the ridge a couple of Kilometres east sky. On a clear day the view stretches the Alta Via. The damming where the HIKING TIME: 5 hours the saddle of Mount Prado, where one ley of Maccherie, where the portico road that runs almost horizontally on it is a little spoiled by the ski facil- Agostino Barbieri, Elisa Guarino of the Cisa Pass, which is an alterna- 2 up to the Ligurian Sea, Corsica and to river Enza rises, created the Lake Paduli (Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino leaves the ridge to descend rapidly to of a small refuge can provide tempo- the Tuscan side up to the Bassa del ities of Val di Luce. In the valley of Translation Parco regionale Laghi di Suviana e tive point of access to the path. By fol- LAGO SANTO PARMENSE (1508 m) the Alps, and yet the most impressive by submerging the wide saddle of the Tosco-Emiliano) 5 Lake Bargetana, at the foot of the gla- rary shelter. Shortly afterwards, one Saltello Pass. Leaving the forest, one Sestaione one goes through the most Russell Bekins Silvia Rambaldi Lucia Bolognesi, Antonella and Brasimone: lowing the corrugated and panoram- PRATO SPILLA (1350 m) is the view below, that of the valley of Lagastrello Pass, which used to be PASSO PRADARENA (1579 m) cial basin of the same name. Next, one meets the road that climbs from Prati goes up Mount Romecchio, followed beautiful forest along the Alta Via up Galli ic ridge one reaches the Cirone Pass, a GRADIENT: +1480 m / -1640 m the Bagnone: a green chasm dotted by called “Malpasso” and was safeguard- Even though the path goes uphill for LAMA LITE (Battisti Refuge, 1761 m) reaches the forest road that goes up di San Geminiano, retracing the route by Colle delle Vacche, which is the to this point. Photographs Parco regionale Vena del Gesso clear geological and geographical bor- HIKING TIME: 8.30 hours lighter spots that are nothing but vil- ed by the Benedictine abbey of Linari. nearly one kilometre, the stage is rest- GRADIENT: +740 m / -560 m the Val d’Ozola and that quickly leads of the ancient Via Bibulca; in the oppo- starting point of the aerial route along From the shores of Lake Santo one fol- Mario Vianelli Luca Catani, Massimiliano All photographs are by , Romagnola: der, where the hard sandstones of the (Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino lages, located nearly one and a half kil- The climb through the woods on the ful compared to the previous ones. HIKING TIME: 5.30 hours to the wide saddle of Lama Lite. The site direction the road quickly leads to the Cime di Romecchio’s rocky ridge. lows the easy mule track that quick- except the following: Costa, Emanuela Naldi Emilia ridge begin: they will accom- Tosco-Emiliano e Parco Regionale ometres further down. At Giovarello slopes of Mount Acuto leads to the lake From the road to Cerreto Laghi one (Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Battisti Refuge, hidden by a little hill, is Radici pass, which is the main crossing Looking over the Modena area side ly climbs to Lake Baccio, at the foot the cover photo is by Antonio Parco nazionale Foreste Casentinesi: pany the hike for almost two hun- delle Valli del Cedra e del Parma) Pass the descent starts on the Emilian of the same name, in a valley overlook- goes up towards Mount La Nuda, bris- Tosco-Emiliano) located near the pass. road between Emilia and Garfagnana, one can see beautiful valleys, rich with of a wonderful glacial valley over Iannibelli Nevio Agostini, Alessandro Fani dred kilometres. The aerial grass- side: one touches the modest Lake ing a glacial step; the Città di Sarzana tling with rocks and towers among and where one can stay overnight marshes, where the vast beech forests which loom the cliffs of the Altaretto’s photo credits for stages 25,26,27: Parco interregionale Sasso Simone e lands of Mount Tavola allow some res- The long stage runs along the entire Martini, then a steep stone valley leads Refuge(1580 m) is located nearby and which is the mighty shoulder of the This is the highest stage of the entire if necessary. From the pass one can of the Rio delle Fontanacce predomi- ridge. The high mountain environ- Claudio Urbinati and Parco Sassi Simoncello: Antonio Santese pite, then the ridge rears up the steep “Ridge of the Lakes”, a charming suc- to the Cagnin bivouac. The descent is open during summer months. A short Gendarme. By hiking at first through journey, always above 1600 metres of 6 walk along the asphalt road that leads nate, while farther the bizarre ophi- ment accompanies the ascent to the Simone e Simoncello Photo Archive climb which leads to the summit of cession of glacial depressions, rocky continues in the forest, grazing Lake descent takes to the Ghiaccioni, a beau- the wood, strewn with morainal blocks, altitude and at one point coming close LAMA LITE (Battisti Refuge, 1761 m) to San Pellegrino in Alpe, an ancient olitic outline of Sasso Tignoso stands Passetto (1850 m), an aerial incision Graphic design and layout Mount Orsaro (1830 m), an excel- ridges, polished slabs and grasslands. Verde and arriving at the dam of Lake tiful valley full of meadows and springs, then along the rough stony ground to 2000 metres above sea level. SAN PELLEGRINO IN ALPE (1524 m) traveler and pilgrim hospice, less than out. The hike up to Cima dell’Omo of the ridge below the top of Mount Maps Francesca Palladini - StudioUndici lent panoramic viewpoint towards The harsh high altitude environment Ballano, which in the summer can the headwaters of the Liocca stream. of the Valle dell’Inferno (in a majestic From the Pradarena Pass the hike GRADIENT: +360 m / -600 m two kilometres away. Alternatively, one (1858 m) is strenuous but rewarding, Rondinaio, which one skirts on the Archivio cartografico Regione Emilia- Largo Ghibellini 17, Pavullo (Mo) Lunigiana. The name of the moun- is softened by an extraordinary col- also be reached via the little road that The valley is dominated by a large gla- mountain habitat populated by a col- continues along the forest road that HIKING TIME: 5.30 hours can follow the Tuscan side path, lead- thanks to sweeping views. At the next Tuscan side, with a few exposed pas- Romagna - Map Service cartografia e www.studioundici.net tain clearly hints at the bear, an ani- lection of ponds and by wondrous climbs up from Trefiumi, in Val Cedra. cial cirque surrounded by the jagged ony of marmots) one reaches the small touches Comunella Pass, and then runs (Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino ing to the village through moderate pass, the Colle Bruciata, one leaves the sages. Returning to the ridge, the archivi S.r.l. mal extinct in this area since the end blooms for most of the summer. From From here one gets to Prato Spilla via ridge of the Groppi di Camporaghena. Rosario bivouac, near a spring. Going on the Tuscan side, up to the slopes Tosco-Emiliano e Parco Regionale gradients. San Pellegrino is the highest ridge (which steeply rises into Mount trail crosses the head of the Valley Printed by of the 1700s. The rocky environment the shores of Lake Santo one goes up an easy walk in the beech forest. The ascent through large boulders up what is clearly a glacial cirque one of Mount Sillano. A path in the forest dell’Alto Appennino Modenese) permanently inhabited location in the Giovo) quickly reaching the great gla- Tagliole, passing over the tiny Lakes General chorography graphic Tipolitografia FG and the vast grasslands are a prel- to the slopes of Mount Marmagna, and grasslands dominated by the bulk arrives at the ridge in the saddle at and then a little trail lead to the top entire northern Apennines and from up cial amphitheater of the Fontanacce, Torbido and Turchino before reach- processing: Francesca Palladini - August 2012 ude to the landscapes to be met in the where the ridge path starts: it’s a very of the Alpe di Succiso ends in the nar- the foot of Mount La Nuda (1895 m), of Mount of Soraggio, an excellent This is a short hiking day with there the view over the Apuan Alps and strewn with morainic blocks and full ing Foce a Giovo, a pass crossed by StudioUndici next days. While descending, one first scenic but strenuous route because row cut of the Pietra Tagliata Pass which is topped by buildings of an old place for taking in a great view: the low gradients, accompanied by Garfagnana is striking. of springs. Through the stony ground the nineteenth century road called

C.A.I. Corpo Nazionale Club Alpino Soccorso Alpino Italiano e Speleologico “Strada del Duca”, where a small chap- This stage is a classic and scenic hike altitude in the woods, with rare openings, one runs alongside Mount Coroncina, and and Fiesole, still visible in some parts. with juniper trees and rocky boulders prominent peak of the ridge that sep- goes up to the foot of the layered cliffs el can serve as a temporary shelter. that connects two of the most famous 10 HIKING TIME: 10 hours reaches the little road that goes from goes on to the crossing with the road One then descends through the thick among which, down below, is the con- arates the valleys of the Santerno and of the Riva San Biagio. At the next 17 18 Another crossing halfway up the slope places of the northern Apennines. LAGO SCAFFAIOLO (1754 m) (Parco Regionale dei Laghi di Suviana Baigno to Brasimone; then, skirting that climbs from Baragazza to Valli, in forests of the upper valley of the spicuous dark ophiolitic monolith of the Senio. One continues through mod- saddle the path on the ridge begins, CARNE’ (370 m) MARRADI (328 m) on the Emilian side, leads to Annibale The first part of the journey crosses MONTE CAVALLO REFUGE (1280 m) e Brasimone) Mount di Baigno among old aban- this manner soon arriving at Valli. From Savena stream, dominated by the bulk Sasso di San Zenobi. One then enters erate ups and downs along the dirt on the extraordinary rocky ground MARRADI (328 m) LAGO DI PONTE (627 m) Pass, surmounted by a ruined build- the magnificent forest of Boscolungo GRADIENT: +450 m / -920 m doned fields, one gets to the build- the lower part of the built-up area the of Mount Freddi which, by the way, is the valley of the Sillaro Stream, domi- road towards the plain, always keep- made of translucent gypsum crystals, GRADIENT: +1260 / -1300 GRADIENT: +980 / -680 ing. The view opens over the val- going up to the little Refuge Verginetta, HIKING TIME: 5 hours When hiking this longest of the ings of Poranceto, at the edge of an trail resolutely enters the woods, skirt- almost always hidden by vegetation. nated on the left side by the Casoni di ing near the ridge, among oak groves where the sunny walls facing south HIKING TIME: 8 hours HIKING TIME: 6 hours ley of the Rio delle Pozze, renamed near Mount Maiore. The ridge above, (Parco Regionale del Corno alle Scale) Alta Via stages there is a considera- ancient chestnut wood, full of gigantic ing the steep northern slopes of Mount Soon one leaves the valley floor to go Romagna wind farm whereas, on the and sandy stratification culminating in are in sharp environmental contrast (Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Val di Luce. The ski facilities go up to which soon comes out of the woods ble drop in altitude: it may be better specimens. Tavianella before descending into the up the right side, always remaining right side, the valley is dominated by the exceptional scenic vantage point of with the shadowy chestnut woods A long hilly stage, this one mainly Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e the top of Alpe delle Tre Potenze; the and becomes rocky, leads to the low- The last stage in the Emilian high to spend the night in Badi or on the small but rough valley where the Rio in the beech forest, until reaching the the steepest sandstones of Mount la Mount Battaglia: from there, the Vena covering the slope that faces the keeps on the ridge between the val- Campigna) works of man have had a significant est of the two peaks of the Libro ridge landscape, this one starts the shores of Lake Suviana. Davena rises. Shortly afterwards, at buildings of Cà di Barba. From there Fine. One ascends through the woods, del Gesso reveals its full extent. On the plain. After Mount Casino one meets leys of the Senio and Lamone. effect on the valley. Lake Piatto is Aperto (1936 m). From the excellent descent towards the valley of the At the Tre Croci Pass the descent of 12 the confluence of two streams, one one climbs to Poggio Turchino Pass, until reaching the pillar on top (993 top of Mount Battaglia lie the remains the broad saddle of Cà Budrio, clear- From the Cà Carnè visitor center one This easy stage moves towards located right below a chair lift; short- panoramic point, the view embraces Reno river and the Bologna area the steep valley of the Rio Maggiore PORANCETO (890 m) finds the vast complex of the Marian located along the road that connects m). After a comfortable stretch on of a medieval tower, and also grave- ly set on a doline, then one continues goes uphill to the asphalt road above the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste ly afterwards one meets the della the whole of the Abetone Pass which mid- mountains. begins, entirely covered with woods BOCCADIRIO (719 m) Sanctuary of Boccadirio, which was Castel dell’Alpi with the Futa state the ridge one descends towards the stones and monuments that recall the along the moderate ups and downs of and then continues along the ridge Casentinesi. Vecchia Pass. It’s much better to fol- lies in an evident split in the ridge line. From Lake Scaffaiolo one hikes up to up to where the sandstone rocks end. GRADIENT: +640 / -810 built on the site of an apparition that road. Continuing to rise in the beech valley of the Santerno, reaching the bloody battles of autumn 1944. The the ridge, until reaching the church of into the open hilly landscape, dotted In Marradi town-centre, one passes low a different route, descending from Descending the ridge below, the view the nearby Tre Termini Pass and from The slope then becomes softer, and the HIKING TIME: 5.30 hours occurred in 1480. forest, one skirts the slopes of Mount Pratolungo. From there the hiker goes road then descends through reforest- Sasso Letroso. This overlooks the val- with pine trees and the silvery patch- beneath an arch and, in front of the the pass to the shores of the splendid of the Emilian side is dominated by the there, while remaining at the same environment becomes open and dot- (Parco Regionale dei Laghi di Suviana Oggioli to the right and of the Alpe to to the church of Montefune, where the ation areas to Pruno Pass, where one ley of the river Senio, in front of the es of olive groves, passing the road Badia del Borgo, starts to go up the Lake Nero, where the refuge is always nearby bulk of Cimone, crowned by the altitude, one reaches Strofinatoio ted with buildings. One soon arrives e Brasimone) the left. road becomes practicable for wheeled meets the Strada della Lavanda, hikes giant quarry of Mount Tondo. Once that descends to Fognano, and pass- ridge. The landscape is typical of the open. The mountainside descent into antennas and buildings of a meteor- Pass (1847 m), crossing the last gla- in Borgo Capanne, then continues 13 vehicles. Following it downward, pass- on it for a short distance towards down the road in Borgo Rivola, one ing near Torre Pratesi. Shortly after- Romagna mid Apennines: narrow val- the Sestaione valley crosses forest ological station. The aerial ridge path cial cirque to be met along the Alta the descent into a labyrinth of streets This is a day of walking almost entire- BOCCADIRIO (719 m) ing through the beautiful chestnut Fontanelice, and then turns right onto touches the lowest point of the entire wards, the asphalt road goes down- leys between layered ridges, chest- habitats of rare and primeval beau- alternates endless grasslands and blue- Via. This is the orographic hub where, and cart roads leading to Ponte della ly in the woods, with some stretches ALPE DI MONGHIDORO (1200 m) 14 woods of Rio Magnola, one quick- the wide ridge that bounds the small Alta Via route, by hiking the 98 metres hill, whereas the Alta Via follows nut woods and coppice, ruins of hous- ty, with gigantic beeches and fir trees, berry fields, at times rougher, often on pointing north, the Corno alle Scale Venturina (395 m), a populous village on minor roads. GRADIENT: +720 m / -410 m ALPE DI MONGHIDORO (1200 m) ly arrives at the junction leading to Le but charming valley of Rio Sgarba. The of the walkway on the Senio, then the forest road that skirts Mount es and abandoned fields. The route is and rocks encrusted with moss and crushed rocks. As always, the Tuscan ridge begins. Descending to Cancellino at the confluence of rivers Reno and From Poranceto there is a brief ascent, HIKING TIME: 5 hours LE SELVE (490 m) Selve campsite-hostel. descent is a comfortable walk through one rises again, touching the tiny vil- Giornetto. It continues with long scenic and later on enters the valley of lichens. Now in view of the Val di side is steeper, while the northern Pass, and traversing the northern Limentra Sambuca, crossed by the rail- then the trail remains high above the GRADIENT: +830 m / -1370 m orchards and vineyards, with stunning lage of Crivellari and going up the bar- ups and downs among increasing- the Acerreta, where the woods thick- Lima, one crosses a forest road that one is charachterised by ridges and slopes of Mount Gennaio, one comes way line between Pistoia and Porretta. Brasimone basin at the edges of mead- This undemanding stage runs large- HIKING TIME: 8 hours views of the gypsum cliffs and of the ren slopes of Mount Volpe. From the ly wooded hills, bypasses some hill en, and then goes downhill, reaching comfortably leads to Consuma, a place glacial cirques dotted with large sol- to the Uccelliera spring. Here one Beyond the Reno river, one goes ows offering beautiful views of the lake ly in the open landscape of the mid 15 chestnut wood of Campiuno. Finally, summit one follows the ridge to the tops by way of little trails, and final- the charming Eremo di Gamogna (793 about one kilometre away from the itary beeches. After the broad saddle leaves the ridge trail (number 00, to up towards Pavana along the ridge up to the dam. After crossing it, take Apennines. This long stage leads to the hills of LE SELVE (490 m) one gets to Tossignano, an ancient vil- saddle of Cà Faggia, with beautiful ly gets to the buildings of the Cà di m), founded by St. Peter Damian in the center of Abetone. The renowned ski of the hill of Acqua Marcia, one passes bet met again in ten days’ journey) between the two valleys, then goes the trail coming up from Castiglione From the parking lot of the sanctuary Romagna, crossing remarkably differ- TOSSIGNANO (255 m) lage spread over a gypsum cliff and views of the blind valley of the Rio Malanca, which have been restored mid-eleventh century. This complex and touristic resort is a municipality the Balzoni rocks, then gentler slopes skirting along the Poggio delle Ignude, down to the dam below. Following dei Pepoli. Past the Enea facilities, one one descends into the woods covering ent environments. GRADIENT: +700 m / -930 m around the ruins of the fortress. Stella, barred by an imposing series of and turned into a Museum of the was recently renovated and includes and is located on the pass of the same lead to the Croce Arcana Pass. Here where the Porta Franca Refuge can be this, one begins the ascent of the right encounters Pian Colorè, with a spring the narrow valley of the Rio Davena, From the end of the previous stage one HIKING TIIME: 5 hours cliffs. One continues on rocky ground, Resistance. Shortly afterwards the a nice little Romanesque church with name. It was once called Boscolungo, one meets the dirt road that goes from reached in a few minutes by making a side of the valley of Limentra, touch- surrounded by large beeches. From until arriving near Roncobilaccio, then goes back on the road that connects eventually meeting the road that route takes a detour down the wood- a dome vault belfry and a large build- the name of a nearby forest. The road Ospitale to Cutigliano. Once past the detour. The Alta Via continues along an ing the houses of Poggio di Badi and here the route heads east, down to continuing the descent to the bottom Castel dell’Alpi with the Futa state Easy stage on the hills, hiking along 16 goes up to the panoramic summit of ed valley of Sintria, where one touches ing around the cloister. From the lit- that goes from Modena to Lucca pass- ski facilities of Doganaccia, one con- easy path that first crosses the upper Campisseri. Shortly afterwards is the the valley of the Montecucco gap. of the valley of the Rio Gambellato, in road. Continuing to rise in the beech minor roads: the long stretch across TOSSIGNANO (255 m) Mount Mauro which is the highest the church and buildings of Fontana tle cemetery one goes downhill to es through Abetone; it was complet- tinues until skirting the top of Mount valley of the river Causso, completely descent towards Lake Suviana; once After the houses of Spinareccia, con- recent years quite disrupted by works forest one skirts the slopes of Mount the ridge is very scenic. CARNE’ (377 m) elevation of the Vena at 515 metres. Moneta before going back up to the the bottom of the valley, touching ed in 1781, then being the first mod- Spigolino, followed by the incision of covered with woods, then meets the arrived on the lake banks one con- tinue among the chestnut woods to to modify the route of the pass road. Oggioli and then descends to Raticosa In Castel del Rio, one descends through GRADIENT: +1180 m / -1060 m The ancient parish church of S. Maria ridge. Going on, one passes close to the Ponte della Valle and going up the ern carriage road to cross the northern the Calanca Pass. From there, the ridge lovely glades of the Rombiciaio and of tinues towards the mountain until Storaia and the nearby road leading One goes up the opposite side of the Pass, along the ancient road between groves of chestnut trees tended to as HIKING TIME: 8 hours in Tiberici, recently renovated, is locat- Mount Gamberaldi (828 m), enjoying opposite side, until reaching the edi- Apennines. splits into a series of depressions, in Pian dello Stellaio. From there an easy the end of the basin, and then along to the Montepiano Pass. Once hav- valley, passing under the Autostrada Bologna and Florence that we now if they were gardens, touching the few (Parco Regionale della Vena del Gesso) ed nearby. The last descent of the day beautiful views of the village of the fices of Trebbana, another ancient the last of which is Lake Scaffaiolo. The forest road leads to the wide wooded the wooded valley of river Limentra ing gone down to the bridge on river del Sole, then continues along the see in its nineteenth-century form. remains of the Castellaccio, the medi- is steep and leads to the bottom of same name, and then reaches the fork monastic center whose church (which small body of water lies beneath the saddle of Tre Croci Pass, a few minutes’ di Treppio, until reaching the bridge Setta, one goes up again, towards large clay slope, among groves and From the pass one reaches the above eval fortress that gave the village its It is perhaps the most unique stage the valley of the Sintria stream, then in the mule track that was for centu- we today see in its eighteenth-centu- 9 grassy top of Mount Cupolino; high on walk from the Monte Cavallo Refuge. of Molino dei Sassi. Next is the climb Mount Tavianella, along the road that pastures, until reaching the village of Mount Canda, a good scenic van- name. In the lower part of the vil- of the entire Alta Via, almost entire- one goes up again, through orchards, ries the main link between Palazzuolo ry form) is the only surviving part. One ABETONE (La Consuma, 1340 m) its banks stands the Duca degli Abruzzi to the church of Stagno, perched on touches the forest nursery of Cottede, Fratte, where one meets the road that tage point over the entire Firenzuola lage, one crosses the river Santerno ly hiking along the crest of the Vena vineyards and groves, until reaching sul Senio and Marradi. At the junc- of the biggest oaks in Romagna is just LAGO SCAFFAIOLO (1754 m) Refuge, the last descendant of the orig- a spur jutting over the valley. Above at the center of the vast reforestations goes from Futa Pass to Pian del Voglio. basin and the impressive clay land- over the Alidosi bridge, a mighty sin- del Gesso. the north entrance of Carnè Park, and tion of Cà Mondera one leaves the a few minutes’ walk away. Then, after GRADIENT: +1440 m / -1030 m inal structure opened in 1878. 11 this is Belvedere, where one continues that cover the valley of the Fosso delle From there it is an easy walk to the scape towards which we are head- gle-arch fifteenth-century artefact still From the remains of the fortress of from there the buildings of the Visitor ridge to start the descent towards the reaching the ridge between the valleys HIKING TIME: 7 hours MONTE CAVALLO REFUGE (1280 m) on the trail to Balinello Pass, taking a Mesole. At the entrance of the nursery, Passeggere, a wide saddle of the ridge ing. The route now keeps on the wide perfectly preserved. On the right side Tossignano one first descends to the Center of the same name. The Carnè bottom of the valley of the Lamone, of the Acerreta and of the Tramazzo, (Parco Regionale dell’Alto Appennino PORANCETO (890 m) short detour to the scenic summit of one takes the path that climbs steep- crossed by what is believed to be the ridge between the valleys of the Idice of the river the ascent begins that gorge of Tramosasso, carved by the can also be reached from Brisighella which ends near the railway station in one heads south, bypassing Mount Modenese) GRADIENT: +1260 m / -1650 m Mount di Stagno (1213 m). Remaining ly up until meeting the dirt road that ancient Roman road between Bononia stream and the Santerno river, dotted leads near Mount Carnevale, a not very Rio Sgarba into gypsum, and then (train station) in about an hour’s walk. Marradi. Caibano and touching Mount del Cerro.

Soon after, one descends into the val- Benedictine abbey. From there, a nice abandoned fields. Leaving the path pastures of Montelleri lead again on forest is a compact and continu- The hike is entirely in the woods, with HIKING TIME: 8.30 hours it passes the road that circumnavi- Monte Calvano’s grasslands and then caves. These hollows may be consid- bordered by oaks and maples, on the Sassi Simone e Simoncello and Mount ley of Tramazzo, passing the road that paved path leads to the village called that leads to San Godenzo the hike the ridge at the foot of the summit ous expanse, from which one emerg- rare panoramic openings. (Parco Nazionale delle Foreste gates Mount Penna. One soon reach- we continue on a mule track up to ered modest from the speleological south side. The place is lonely, sceni- Carpegna dominate the view. goes up to the hill of the same name, Il Mulino, at the confluence of the descends steeply to the bottom of the of Mount Falterona, accessible via a es only on the grassy and very scenic From the bridge over the Fosso of Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e es the foot of the cliffs, hiking through Pratelle Pass, through ups and downs point of view, but they are interesting cally vibrant, but it requires careful This stage features a quiet start, along and quickly arriving at the shores of Troncalosso and Acquacheta ravines, valley, skirting the stream for a while, short detour. The route, on the other island on the summit of Poggio Scali Camaldoli one goes immediately Campigna) ancient landslides shrouded by forest, among beech trees, on the ridge. From in terms of the fauna that may find attention not to miss the trail signs. the dirt road that leads to Miratoio, Lake di Ponte, a small reservoir which which combine into the river Montone. before ascending near the restored vil- end, continues along the ridge dot- (1520 m). After Porcareccio Pass one up into the forest, which offers rare until arriving at the base of the cliff of here one continues by heading left refuge inside them: insects, mollusks One must pay maximum attention through open spaces alternating with is placed in a natural context domi- lage of Serignana. After the cemetery ted with clearings and low scrubs of crosses some marshy glades before views of the monastery, and then This is a long stage that leaves the Precipizio; the buildings of La Verna on a sunny white road that passes and, among vertebrates, Chiroptera when on the top of Mount Faggiola large patches of Turkey oak. The two nated by forests, and is the extreme of Castagno d’Andrea one arrives in a Mugo Pine, to the summit of Mount meeting the larger opening of Prato keeps going until reaching the Cotozzo ridge heading south in the direction of appear on its top. Once through the under Monte Castelsavino and leads and amphibians, including the Fire sal- where the route bends sharply to the Sassi (Simone and Simoncello) that northern edge of the National Park. 20 few minutes in the village, birthplace Falco (1657 m), maximum altitude Bertone. There, one leaves the crest Refuge, which can provide a modest Mount Penna, clearly visible from the gate, the hiker meets the old cobbled to Gualanciole Pass. Continuing along amander and the rare Italian cave sal- north, with a reversal of almost 180 we are approaching, are the hub of SAN BENEDETTO IN ALPE (500 m) of the painter Andrea del Castagno and of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines to descend through the very tall firs emergency shelter. The trail contin- beginning of the hike. One can short- path that climbs from La Beccia, the the ridge trail, at last one arrives at amander. However limited, the Buca degrees. The path is to be found in the environment and the landscape. CASTAGNO D’ANDREA (727 m) popular holiday resort at the foot of and extraordinary viewpoint of the that accompany the hike to the perim- ues among beech trees and giant firs, en the hike going directly to Mandrioli main pedestrian access to the monas- Poggio Tre Vescovi. Here one turns del Tesoro has fascinated the imagina- the beech forest below, on the side They are preceded by a vast expanse 19 GRADIENT: +1130 m / -900 m Mount Falterona. Casentino and Romagna. From the eter wall of the Holy Hermitage, for first running into the Fontana della Pass and avoiding the detour to tic citadel. Along this road St. Francis right and begins to descend on the tion of mountaineers and woodsmen of a paleo-landslide in the wilderness. of clayey soil, dotted with pastures LAGO DI PONTE (627 m) HIKING TIME: 7 hours summit one descends slowly, encoun- ten centuries an extraordinary medita- Duchessa, and shortly afterwards the Frassineta. climbed the mountain for the first time ridge until Poggio Bastione, then on who, not coincidentally, have created With the aid of a map and the trail or tormented by eroded gullies. Now SAN BENEDETTO IN ALPE (500 m) (Parco Nazionale delle Foreste tering the antennae of a military tion and prayer oasis in the wild vast- paved road (to be followed uphill) From the Carbonile, one follows the nearly eight centuries ago, greeted by a the Romagna side, which gradually the legend of the same name. signs one finds the old trail that goes the ancient forest of oaks (main- GRADIENT: +440 m / -570 Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e 21 installation, and then the vast grass- ness of the forest. From the Hermitage between the Holy Hermitage and road towards Mandrioli Pass for a flock of birds in celebration. becomes more and more open: grass- to Casteldelci. One leaves this track ly Turkey oaks) begins at the foot of HIKING TIME: 3 hours Campigna) CASTAGNO D’ANDREA (727 m) lands of Burraia, near Calla Pass. From one goes downhill towards Camaldoli, Fangacci Pass. One soon reaches the few hundred metres, then turns left land environments, and eventually dry shortly afterwards going down to the the rocky outcrops. After the oaks (Parco Nazionale delle Foreste CAMPIGNA (1070 m) there one descends to the close-by along the trail that cuts through beautiful glade of Prato alla Penna, and towards Lupatti Pass; from there one ones as well, replace the forest. At a 26 right and arriving at the picturesque are the beeches, where the clay gives Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e The first part of the stage is the GRADIENT: +1080 m / -740 m Città di Forlì Refuge, and then along the many bends of the road. After a from there the Fangacci Pass, cutting reaches Mandrioli Pass by going along 25 small pillar one gets on the Montione BIANCANEVE AL FUMAIOLO mountain village of Gattara. One can way to limestone debris encircling the Campigna) very popular stroll leading to the HIKING TIME: 6 hours the valley of the Fosso dell’Abetìo, small lake that was once used as a through the beech forest. One contin- the ridge. From the pass one goes on a LA VERNA (1128 m) road, that must be followed up to REFUGE (1349 m) stop there, should one by now be tired cliffs. Should one have the time and Acquacheta. (Parco Nazionale delle Foreste crossing the wonderful high forest of fishpond by the monks, one comes ues following the road for a few hun- rocky mule track that heads east, until BIANCANEVE AL FUMAIOLO REFUGE Montecoronaro Pass and then up to BASCIO (624 m) (the stage is rather long); otherwise inclination, one can make the won- This very short and restful hike leads Starting from the first sharp turn of the Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e fir trees that accompany the journey across the three wooden crosses that dred metres, then returns to the ridge skirting Mount Zuccherodante on the (1349 m) the village of the same name, where GRADIENT: +400 m / -1100 m the hiking stage will be completed by derful detour on the loop that goes to San Benedetto, where there is a road to Marradi, one follows the easy Campigna) up to Campigna, in the heart of histor- in the past used to mark the border path that forks immediately. Turning Tuscan side. Shortly thereafter, one GRADIENT: +950 m / -700 m one finds the mule track leading to the HIKING TIME: 8.30 hours going down to the Marecchia valley around the Sasso di Simone, possi- Benedectine abbey of the same-name. path that goes up the valley of the ical Casentino Forests. of cloistered hermitage. Going down left it takes less than half an hour to meets the path that descends from HIKING TIME: 9 hours Fumaiolo. The mule track touches the (Parco interregionale Sasso Simone e floor, and then up the opposite side bly also reaching the stretch of level From the southern shores of Lake Fosso dell’Acquacheta offering beauti- This walk goes over the highest the side of the Fosso of Camaldoli, arrive at Mount Penna, a recommend- Serra Pass, a mountain pass crossed by (Parco nazionale delle Foreste asphalt road leading to the mountain Simoncello) to the picturesque Bascio hill, which ground on its summit, that was orig- di Ponte one goes uphill to the lit- ful views of the stream. After reaching mountains of the Tuscan-Romagnolo in the humid woods one finds a cou- ed detour because of the extraordi- a mule track which for centuries was Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e three times, then it takes off going has by now been visible for some time inally home to the Benedictine abbey, tle valley of the Fosso dei Campacci, the Molino dei Romiti one gets to the Apennines, through expanses of 22 ple of stone chapels and soon after nary views of the rugged forest-cov- an important route between Romagna Campigna) uphill to a beautiful saddle where, This is a long stage where problems because of the medieval tower that then the “sun city” envisioned by the right away on a steep ascent through base of the Caduta, the most famous woods that anticipate the forest CAMPIGNA (1070 m) arrives at the Camaldoli monastery, ered valleys that converge towards and Central Italy. In a landscape now among the pastures on the right, a in finding the path are likely. One dominates it. Medicis, whose construction was a beautiful mixed forest, where the waterfall in the northern Apennines. wealth of the next stages. CAMALDOLI (815 m) the mother house of the Order found- lake Ridracoli. The Alta Via, on the more open, one follows the route of This is a long but quite fascinating path to Balze branches off. We instead might shorten the hike by spending started after the mid-sixteenth cen- beeches (which we haven’t seen for Shortly afterwards, one crosses the From the top of the built-up area GRADIENT: +640 m / -890 m ed by St. Romuald in 1024. The vast other hand, continues going up Poggio the ancient road towards Vallesanta, stage, both in terms of forests and of go left, reaching the west side of the the night in the charming village of tury, then stopped (for complex polit- a week now) soon reappear. After an Fosso del Lavane and then goes up to of Castagno one goes uphill to the HIKING TIME: 5 hours stone buildings stretch around the allo Spillo (1438 m) and, shortly there- the valley of Corsalone stream domi- landscape, due to the appearance of Fumaiolo. The last section of the hike Gattara. 27 ical reasons but mainly climatic), and eroded and scenic ridge one gets to the the gorgeous plateau of Romiti, inhab- woods, along the trail that cuts (Parco Nazionale delle Foreste core that houses the guest house, the after, leaving the ridge at Crocina Pass nated by the outline of Mount Penna. more open environments. This stage climbs through conifers on the north The route is varied and descends BASCIO (624 m) never completed. A few ruins among Tramazzo hill (971 m), where the hike ited by a monastic community in the through the many swithbacks in the Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e library and the old pharmacy. A beau- to travel downhill along the steep Touching first the houses of Serra and leads to the Montefeltro area which side, to the Pass. Beyond the road, at to Balze from the ridge of Mount HERMITAGE MADONNA DEL FAGGIO meadows and ash trees still testify the continues on a forest trail that’s almost Middle Ages. Beyond the stream one road to the Borbotto Spring. From Campigna) tiful fountain with the Camaldolese Fosso del Puntone, to the clearing of then those of Corezzo, one descends to has become part of the Romagna the end of a brief detour to the left is Fumaiolo. It features the evocative (1266 m) utopian Renaissance dream of Cosimo flat. Soon the descent begins along the continues until encountering a com- the spring one continues to rise in symbol (two joint doves) guards the Campo all’Agio. From there, by going the valley floor of the Corsalone, then Region after a referendum that sanc- the Biancaneve Refuge. detour to the ancient hermitage of GRADIENT: +800 m (without the de ‘Medici. Back on the main trail, ridge of the Susinelli which, after the fortable forest track that leads to the the beech forest dotted with boul- This beautiful and classic walk entrance. left one goes straight to Carbonile goes uphill on the opposite side of the tioned the passage of several munici- In addition to the ubiquitous for- Sant’Alberico, along the grand-ducal detour to the Sassi) / -150 m one goes along it to Cantoniera Pass, peak of the same name, decreases rap- Crocione (976 m). Here one meets the ders, up to the pool of Gorga Nera, runs along the ridge above the Refuge, along the road to Mandrioli valley to Frassineta, which is in a nice, palities from the province of Pesaro to ests that are a constant in this sec- nineteenth-century “road” (with traces HIKING TIME: 6.30 hours; 7.30 hours where one can stop if tired. Otherwise, idly towards the valley of the Fosso road that climbs from the Eremo dei then continuing beyond the divide Sassofratino Reserve, guardian of the Pass. Alternatively, one can go direct- panoramic location. Shortly afterwards the province of Rimini. tion of the Alta Via, the interest of of the original ponderous paving) that if one passes by Carpegna; the detour one can go directly down to the vil- Acquacheta, first going through groves Toschi, visible in the lower left. From to a forest track that leads to the lit- most beautiful forests of the park. 23 ly to Badia Prataglia, where the ancient one goes back down to the valley -bot From the Sanctuary of La Verna, one this stage of the route also resides in linked Balze to Capanne. From Balze, to Sassi Simone e Simoncello takes lage of Carpegna, or even go up direct- and pastures and then across open this point, the hike continues along tle spring of Capo d’Arno. The trail From Campigna one needs to go back CAMALDOLI (815 m) abbey church is well worth a visit. tom at Rimbocchi, a place that may be takes the old mule track that branch- the Buca del Tesoro’s geomorpholog- after two short stretches of asphalt two additional hours ly to the mountain of the same name sandstone slabs. Before reaching the the semi-flat ridge until Muraglione continues by crossing the southern up to Calla Pass following the trail that BADIA PRATAGLIA (Il Carbonile, reached directly from Serra, this way es off from the sharp turn in the road ical and “anthropological” peculiar- road, one goes back on the 00 ridge (Parco interregionale Sasso Simone e above. Our journey ends anyway on road that leads to Peschiera Pass, one Pass, an important road pass between slope of Mount Falterona, through cuts through the bends on the road. 970 m) avoiding a great deal of difference in that ascends from Chiusi (trail sign ities. The Buca del Tesoro is a natu- trail, an earthen track that gets to Simoncello) the summit of Mount Carpegna, where meets the path that runs up on the -val Romagna and Mugello. Going down woods and swamps, to Lake degli From the pass, one gets on the com- GRADIENT: +920 m / -770 m 24 height. One follows the road to Chiusi 50). By following an ancient low stone ral cave that one may see via a brief Poggio Tre Vescovi, once more among the Hermitage of the Madonna del ley to the houses of Poggio at a cross- on the Tuscan side, one almost imme- Idoli, a very important archaeologi- fortable forest track that runs near HIKING TIME: 5 hours BADIA PRATAGLIA for just a short distance, then crosses wall, we begin to move away from detour from the Poggio Tre Vescovi the beeches. Approaching Mount This is a powerfully fascinating envi- Faggio is the destination that ideally roads. This is the upper part of the vil- diately crosses the road to Tre Faggi cal site. Recent works have restored the ridge between the strict nature (Parco Nazionale delle Foreste (Il Carbonile, 970 m) the stream and goes up to Casalino. massive beech trees covering the high towards the Rotta dei Cavalli Pass. The Loggio the path becomes less defined, ronment, from the sea of clay out- combines within a wealth of history, lage of San Benedetto in Alpe, with Pass, then continues amid magnifi- the lake to its original condition of reserves of Sassofratino and Pietra, Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e LA VERNA (1128 m) Afterwards, a steep climb leads to ground of Monte Penna. Then from arenaceous rocks in this area are frac- because of the concatenation of sev- crops to the ancient forest of oaks nature and spirituality. houses huddled around the ancient cent chestnut trees, coppice and old body of water deep in the forest. The in an enchanted forest scenario. The Campigna) GRADIENT: +1280 m / -1120 m the ridge above and then from there Croce della Calla, we climb towards tured and they house some shallow eral paths which cross vast clearings and stretches of open meadows. The