Route 2 – Val d’Enza
Route: Monchio d.C.-Ponte di Lugagnano-Vecciatica-Madonna del Monte-Monte Matalla-Valcieca-Aneta-Rigoso-Lugagnano Sup.re-Ponte di Lugagnano-Ceda-Monchio d.C.
- Departure: Central Square (Piazza Caduti di tutte le Guerre)
- Difficulty: MC/MC+
- Length: 31 km
- Height difference: 1096 m
- Surface type: Asphalt: 65%, dirt roads: 26%, trail: 9%
- Presence of water: Countries
- Support points: Countries
The Lugagnano bridge and the charming chapel of Madonna del Monte hidden among the beech trees of Mount Fageto are the attractions of this route between the Cedra and Enza valleys in the territories of what was formerly called the valley of the Knights.
Route of medium technical difficulty but physically demanding given the expected length and elevation gain.
From the starting point at the town’s central square, descend along provincial road 665R “massese” to Ponte di Lugagnano, where you can admire the humpback bridge that crosses the Cedra stream.
You ascend by asphalt along a quiet road touching the hamlets of Lugagnano inferiore and superiore to Vecciatica.
From here you continue on a dirt road until you reach the pass located at Madonna del Monte, where you can stop and admire the oratory of Santa Maria della Neve (also known as Madonna dei “Basetti”), located right in the beech forest straddling the two valleys.
Now continue on the main ridge that soon becomes a path, passing Mount Matallà and the modest Scandellari pass, from which you continue, remaining on the side of the Val d’Enza (left), skirting the few remains of Castellaro, from which you begin to descend more decisively, now on cart track, to Valcieca.
Having resumed the asphalt road, continue to the right along provincial road 68 “Val d’Enza” until touching the cosy hamlet of Aneta, which is worth a ride before climbing back onto the main road now in sight of Rigoso, the village in the Parma Apennines located at a higher altitude (m.1128), situated near the Malus Passus (the present Lagastrello pass) on the transit routes to Lunigiana along the ancient Via di Linari.
From Rigoso you climb toward the Bastia pass but a few meters before you turn right onto a dirt road and follow a long path that leads to Upper Lugagnano from where you follow the outward route downhill to Ponte di Lugagnano.
From here it is advisable to return by turning right in the direction of Palanzano and then immediately left going up to Ceda from which you return to Monchio along a nice dirt road through the fields avoiding the traffic on the provincial road.