SPORT, NATURE AND WELLNESS AT CORNO ALLE SCALE CORNO ALLE SCALE As explorers of a little-known paradise, of paths which intersect the area, far STREAMS AND WATERFALLS, STORIES AND LEGENDS, making the acquaintance of the away from the noise and confusion, you Regional Park of Corno alle Scale will can meet with fallow or roe deer, see A FLEETING ENCOUNTER WITH A WOOD DWELLER. be an exhilarating experience. The Park golden eagles circling in the sky or, in THERE IS A PARADISE WITHIN REACH extends for five thousand hectares, a the distance, hear the howling of a wolf. massif which reaches a height of almost Not only this, Corno alle Scale is also the WHERE THE ENCHANTMENT OF NATURE two thousand metres, with lonely ideal habitat for numerous species of rare IS REPEATED DAY AFTER DAY, OFFERING valleys and small villages which emerge and protected plants, such as the delicate unexpectedly from the thick woodland. silver geranium, the precious alpine EVER-FRESH STIMULATION TO ITS VISITORS. Here, walking the extensive network aquilegia or the striking Turk’s-cap lily. AMIDST THE BRANCHES TOWARDS THE UNEXPECTED... The area around Corno alle Scale puts can frequently hear the whistling cry of you in direct contact with nature and the marmot or see the small entrance its inhabitants in any season of the year, holes to the nests of the snow vole, off ering you unforgettable moments of while in wooded areas, roe deer, wild relaxation, enjoyment and folklore. The boar and certain predators like the many sporting activities the area off ers, beech marten, the badger and the fox from mountain biking to archery, horse are quite common. But the two most riding or snowshoe trekking, the flavours important species are undoubtedly the of its excellent cuisine and its tasty local wolf and the eagle. products and the many opportunities Becoming extinct here at the beginning for relaxation, make Corno alle Scale of the Sixties, the wolf has recently a unique and unforgettable holiday returned to these parts, colonising destination, with a clear focus on well- the entire Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. being and enjoyment. A natural paradise, Another welcome return among the within reach, to be experienced at any residents of the Park is the eagle, which time, any season or any age. for some years now has returned to The variety and quality of the environment nest in the area; sightings of it are in this area have made it the ideal frequent, especially in summer when it habitat for many animal species. can be seen circling slowly in the sky, in Walking the pathways of the ridge, you search of its prey. The most striking aspect in these places having contorted, almost unnatural, THE EDGE OF THE WOODS is the vegetation, a continual succession shapes. Finally, beyond the tree line, of arboreal species which envelop the peak moorland suddenly opens the landscape, forming a palette of a up, essentially consisting of complex REVEALS THE INFINITE thousand shades of colour. Starting from ecosystems hosting rare plants of lower down, the area is characterised by glacial origin. The Corno alle Scale AFTER THE FIRST MOMENT, WHEN THE GAZE oak and chestnut woods, which give the massif, with its 1945 metres of height, landscape a special face. Gaining height, is the southern European boundary REMAINS DAZZLED BY THE SPLENDOUR the beech woods begin to dominate; for the flowering of numerous rare and OF THE PEAKS AND THE WOODS, these are characterised by trees which protected species, such as the silver are either very tall and straight or which geranium, the gentian and the elegant SMALLER WONDERS ALSO BECOME VISIBLE. cling to inaccessible rocks and crags, alpine aquilegia. WINTER SPORTS FOR EVERYBODY AND FOR CORNO ALL ABILITY LEVELS, WARM HOSPITALITY, FUN AND RELAXATION: THIS IS WHAT IS OFFERED BY CORNO ALLE SCALE, THE SKIING RESORT ALLE SCALE SITUATED IN THE HIGHEST AND MOST STRIKING PART OF THE BOLOGNESE APENNINES, JUST A SHORT DISTANCE FROM FLORENCE AND BOLOGNA FOR LOVERS OF WINTER SPORTS can make a holiday something you cross-country skiing routes, and the will never forget. For people who love modern snow park, where you can speed and enjoyment, there are the try your hand at acrobatic snowboard Corno alle Scale is a large, natural skiing 150 days a year, no matter how slopes dedicated to Alberto Tomba, manoeuvres. Finally, for people looking amphitheatre which fans out between much or how little snow might fall. on which the great champion from for a little peace and quiet, in the the 1945 metres of the summit of A skiing resort with facilities amongst Bologna took his first skiing “steps” area around Corno alle Scale you can the mountain and Lake Scaff aiolo. the best in the northern Apennines, and which were a fundamental factor immerse yourself in unspoilt nature, Its summit is the starting point for offering safe enjoyment to novices in his world championship successes. endlessly fascinating, just waiting to 36 kilometres of slopes of varying and experts alike. For those who are looking to try be discovered on long snowshoe treks, diff iculties, of which 80% are served by With its 36 kilometres of slopes of something new and diff erent, there in the heart of the woodland which artificial snow equipment, permitting varying diff iculties, Corno alle Scale are numerous ski-mountaineering and characterises the area. NOT JUST SKIING There is also an alternative way to enjoy the All of this without forgetting the legendary snow: simply contemplating it. Emilian hospitality and the many delicious What could be more relaxing than gastronomic opportunities off ered by the sitting in front of a blazing fire with your characteristic local cuisine. At Corno alle favourite hot drink, while outside it is Scale, traditional cuisine is given pride THE SOFTENED ATMOSPHERE, PURE, SCINTILLATING snowing? Something which might seem an of place; the pasta is still made using EXPANSES OF SNOW, UNSPOILT NATURE. WINTER AT CORNO inconvenience in the city, up here becomes a chopping board and rolling pin, and ALLE SCALE IS DOMINATED BY THE CLEAR, CRYSTAL BLUE an opportunity to leave the frenetic pace of the hotels and numerous characteristic OF THE SKY AND BY THE PURE WHITENESS OF THE SNOW: daily life totally behind you. Over and above restaurants in the area off er excellent AN EVOCATIVE NATURAL STAGE, IMBUING ALL SNOW the skiing, the area around Corno alle Scale pork and game, underbrush fruits, LOVERS WITH VIBRANT ENERGY AND JOIE DE VIVRE. off ers many alternative opportunities for mountain tarts and sweets and chestnut- people who would also like to explore the based dishes. Wholesome dishes from a mountains in winter, off ering the possibility bygone era which characterise a world of wonderful excursions with snowshoes to be discovered and enjoyed, with into the heart of the woodland which that touch of geniality and exuberance characterises the area. which only Apennine people convey. CORNO ALLE SCALE Bologna Apennines BY CAR From Bologna: on highway A1 heading for Florence, take the exit for Sasso Marconi. From Florence: on highway A11, take the exit for Pistoia; proceed along superstrada SS64 Porrettana until Silla and then take SS324 for Lizzano. From Modena: on highway A1, take the exit for Modena Sud, then follow the signs for Vignola and the Fondovalle Panaro, at the fork in Fanano, merge intro tre road for Corno alle Scale. BY TRAIN On the Bologna-Pistoia line, get off at the Porretta Terme station, at 15 km from Corno alle Scale. From the station, hop a bus for Lizzano in Belvedere BY PLANE The nearest airports are Bologna, 70 km away, and Florence, 90 km away. INFORMATION AND RECEPTION OFFICE Lizzano In Belvedere Piazza Marconi 6 – 40042 Lizzano in Belvedere Tel. e fax 0534.51052 • [email protected] Vidiciatico Via Marconi 31 – 40042 Vidiciatico Tel. e fax 0534.53159 • [email protected] Foto di: Giorgio Nini, Davide Palumbo, Vanna Rossi, Daniele Giacobazzi, Archivio Parco, Archivio Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori Appennino Bolognese www.cornoallescale.net Nature and wellness in the Bologna Apennines.