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.

INFO and USEFUL LINKS

  • Monchio delle Corti
    Ponte di Lugagnano
    Vecciatica
    Madonna del Monte
    Monte Matalla
    Valcieca
    Aneta
    Rigoso
    Lugagnano Sup.re
    Ponte di Lugagnano
    Ceda
    Monchio delle Corti

  • USEFUL NUMBERS on excursion
    118 
    Medical first aid
    115 
    FIRE DEPARTMENT
    1515 
    ENVIRONMENTAL Emergency (and forest fires)
    112 
    CARABINIERI Emergency Response
    113 
    STATE POLICE Emergency Response
    PARCHI DEL DUCATO – tel 0521802688