Monchio, in the heart of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano

Discover the area's trails

On foot or by bicycle, personalized excursions from the mountains to the sea with the Monchio delle Corti Environmental Hiking Guides!

the MOUNTAINS and the PEAKS

Reaching Cima Canuti you arrive at one of the highest points of the Apennine ridge.
The path to get there is truly heavenly, the wide view will make you feel like you're on top of the world and the bed of velvety grass with the blueberry fields They will make your walk relaxing, making you feel at one with the surrounding nature.
The summit is located about 1,5 km east of Monte Bocco and about 400 m west of Monte Malpasso.

The Groppo Sovrano in dialect is the rocky wall overlooking Casarola and where the golden eagle finds the ideal environment for nesting.

Mount Bocco is 1790 meters above sea level and is located on the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. To reach the summit, the longer route along the Emilian side is recommended rather than the Tuscan side, as the latter is steeper and more rugged. On the rounded summit of Mount Bocco, there is a stone artifact built by the CAI which houses a religious symbol. Crossing the undulating Bocco plateau and continuing towards the ridge you will reach the nearby peak of Monte Uomo Morto (1773 m), equally evocative and fascinating.

Monte Giogo reflects amysterious and science fiction atmosphere at 1518 m altitude: the impressive radars overlook the valley just above Lake Paduli, in the municipality of Comano, province of Massa Carrara.former NATO baseBuilt in 1956, it is now disused and was abandoned in the 90s. The four radars, each approximately 20 meters in diameter, are so majestic that they are awe-inspiring just to look at.

Situated on the Apennine ridge, Malpasso is the ideal spot to enjoy the view of the Lagastrello Pass, Lago Paduli, and the Alpe di Succiso. Slightly lower than the other peaks on the ridge, the term “Malpasso” indicates the undulating surface of the ridge on which the peak extends, at times soft, covered with soft grass and at times angular, composed of ancient rocks.

Continuing the excursion from Monte Palerà you come across the Costa Maria Gallina, immediately recognisable by the small rock face located on the western side.
Along the way, you'll find lush meadows with delicate primroses, colorful heather, and fragrant violets. You'll pass through beech and chestnut groves, admiring their fruit. You might even encounter shy roe deer, enjoy the chirping of numerous bird species, and even catch a glimpse of hawks and eagles, the emblems of this area.

Given the minimal difficulty it presents, the Monte Navert itinerary isparticularly suitable for winter excursionswith snowshoes.
Monte Navert is also called“the balcony on the ridge”,precisely because it is possible to admire the panorama below from a privileged position that allows the view to range from the Colla Pass to the Alpe di Succiso, making the experience truly exceptional.
A cross was installed on the top of the mountain, a symbol that has been the subject of numerous souvenir photos of the trip to Mount Navert by numerous hikers.

Monte Sillara is located on the border between Emilia and Tuscany and is thehighest peak of the Parma Apennines.
It is easily recognisable by the presence of a rock face positioned at its summit, where there is also asmall stone chapelInside, the statuette of the Madonna is a unique feature and a sign of man's presence on this peak since ancient times. This religious symbol was chosen because it is the highest, so much so that it seems as if one is skimming the clouds and being close to the sky.
The dark color of the rocks is evidence of the ancient origins of the Apennines, as the mountain range initially stood on the Ligurian Ocean, whose seabed was rich in iron minerals.
From Mount Sillara, if you look south you can see the two evocative lakes of the same name, the "Sillara Lakes". Looking towards Lunigiana you can glimpse the medieval village of Jera, turning northwest you can see Trefiumi while to the northeast the Valcedra dominates the view.

Monte Palerà or “Parrà” is located on the Cedra-Enza ridge and serves as scene of daily life in the villages of the Municipality of Monchio delle Corti.

On the path that from Monte Parrà passes through Costa Maria Gallina and continues towards Passo del Lupo, during the 12th-13th century, a fortification called “Il Castellaro” was built and occupied which served to control the areas under the dominion of the Vallisneri, a family of feudal lords who subjugated the territory, given the strategic position of this peak. This allowed for the simultaneous surveillance of two valleys, the Cedra and the Enza. In 1448, the Republic of Parma ended the Vallisneri's control of these lands, also destroying this fortification. Today, the remains of the walls can be seen, submerged by the vegetation that grows spontaneously around them.

Defined by experts as one of the most beautiful climbs in the entire Apennines, Monte Pumaccioletto offers climbers a rock face overlooking the Laghi Gemini, short but very pleasant and also tiring due to the steep and discontinuous summit.

Monte Torricella has a rocky outcrop right at the top that resembles the shape of a tower, hence the name “Torricella”.The mountain separates Prato Spilla from Lago Verde; given its unique appearance, Torricella is a popular destination for enthusiasts.
Once you reach the top, the view will open up onto the rest of the ridge, allowing a360 degree vision.
For these reasons, Torricella is well suited to mountaineering.

LAKES and BODY OF WATER

Lago Ballano is the ideal place to camp and enjoy a well-deserved post-hike rest, relaxing and letting the sun's rays reflect on its crystal-clear waters caress you.The Ballano has aequipped areaWith a bar and basic amenities, it's also possible to camp and spend the night in a tent with family and friends, enjoying refreshments in the barbecue and picnic areas.

You can reach the lake directly by car along the road or by starting from Prato Spilla and following the dedicated path of about 40 minutes on foot. entering the beech forest which in summer provides shelter from the sultry heat and makes the journey to this wonderful destination cool and even more pleasant.

The Laghi di Compione or Laghi di Grotta are located on the Emilian side of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano ridge.
These are small lakes whose capacity varies according to the seasons and rainfall: when the snow melts next to the two main lakes a lovely mountain pasture pool, which disappears in the summer months.

They owe their name to the village of Compione in Lunigiana, from where the shepherds who brought their flocks there to graze came from. Initially they were called Dafnia and Ninni, female names, probably to underline the beauty and purity of their waters.

Also called “the unknown lake”, the Frasconi is a mysterious little lake, little known and even less frequented, this makes it enigmatic and gives it a particular charm in the eyes of those who seek it: a hidden treasure in an almost unexplored territory waiting to be discovered.

Lago Martini is a pretty glacial basin fed only by rainwater and melting snow and, consequently, tends to dry out in summer. Inside there are no fish but you can observe a characteristic amphibian typical of the Monchio delle Corti area: the alpine newt.
Spotted while walking along the ridge, in the distance the lake looks like a tiny dot of an intense blue color that stands out against the colors of the surrounding vegetation, surrounded by rocks smoothed by its waters over the years.

Lago Paduli, also called Lagastrello, is placed  exactly halfway between two regions, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, and three provinces, Parma, Massa-Carrara, and Reggio Emilia. A territory of passage and meeting located near the Lagastrello Pass where this artificial basin following the construction of a dam on the Enza stream in the early 1900s.

Easy to reach by car because it's located on the main road and surrounded by easy trails that allow you to admire the lake from every angle, Lago Paduli is a destination for numerous visitors who want to spend a day cooling off on its shores.

The different shades of green that characterise the vegetation that frames the lake in summer and the pastel colours that nature offers in autumn contrast with the blue of its waters, giving life to a landscape that inspires wonder and amazement.

Lago Palo is a natural oasis surrounded by greenery and characterized by clear and crystalline water on which the rocky wall of the majestic Monte Malpasso is reflected. Located in  At 1508 meters above sea level, Lago Palo is fed by a stream that rises from Cima Canuti and by underground springs from which the purest water flows. To the delight of recreational fishermen here it is possible to fish subject to the issuance of the permit.

From Prato Spilla, you can reach Lake Palo by following the dedicated trail, which takes about 40 minutes. The trail is completely shaded and very cool in summer. At the end of the path, you'll see a breathtaking view from behind the green shrubs, like you're standing in front of a masterpiece.

Lake Palo is worth visiting in every season: in summer you will be surrounded by bright, welcoming colors, in autumn the leaves falling around the lake will form a captivating foliage, in spring you can admire the awakening of the vegetation while in winter you will find the surface of the lake frozen and the surrounding landscape shrouded in a blanket of white snow.

Lago Scuro owes its name to the dark color that characterizes its waters: in fact, during the autumn, the leaves of the surrounding beech forest fall onto the lake bed, which then takes on a dark brown, almost black, color. Furthermore, this lake is fed exclusively by seasonal tributaries and therefore in certain periods it is completely dry and inside it you can observe fossil trunks of silver fir, a peculiarity that makes it appear even darker and a destination for numerous tourists curious to admire such a mysterious landscape.

On the slopes of Monte Sillara, nestled like shining gems, are the Sillara Lakes. Also called Twin Lakes, the Sillaras are the highest in the Parma Apennines: 1732 m altitude for the upper Laghi Sillara which is only one m away from the lower Laghi Sillara.
During rainy seasons, heavy downpours create a truly evocative natural spectacle: their water levels rise and submerge the land that normally divides them, creating a single body of water.
The sensation you get when visiting the Sillara is that of finding yourself in an ethereal world given the purity and clarity of their waters that are often found shrouded in clouds, thus giving the impression of being able to touch the sky with a finger.

Lago Squincio has a peculiarity which, together with Lago Paduli, makes it incomparable to all the others: in fact, it is located divided between two regions, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. Another peculiar feature is its circular shape and the peat bog that now inhabits it.
Lago Squincio can be reached by following a short hiking trail that begins near the Passo Lagastrello and passes through lush beech forests, flower-filled meadows, and picturesque views. Once you reach your destination, the spectacle before you is a double vision of the Monte Malpasso: the actual mountain in front and its image mirrored in the waters of the lake will further enhance the beauty of this verdant body of water.

The enchanting body of water of Lago Verdarolo It is easily recognizable by the typical green color of its waters due to the aquatic plants that inhabit its seabed, from which Verdarolo also took its name.

The Lago Verde is the deepest and third largest lake in the province of Parma. Due to the depth of its waters it is the ideal habitat for the brown trout, which can only be fished if authorized and in possession of a permit issued by the Municipality, as well as a fishing license.

The lake's waters are a deep blue, and the landscape is embraced by the bright green of the woods and the soft grass, ideal for lying down and resting after the hike to reach it. In fact, it can be reached in about 45 minutes from Lake Ballano. Its extraordinary colors and its location at 1507 meters above sea level make Lago Verde the ideal place to relax, away from the noise and crowds.

…you can also meet

The Cagnin bivouac is a A small and welcoming bivouac that is always open, where hikers are happy to stop to refresh themselves and rest after long walks. Located at the foot of Mount Torricella, inside there are benches and a dining room with a fireplace and a table, ideal for enjoying refreshments while admiring the view and the peace offered by the surrounding nature.

In Spring, when the snow begins to melt, enchanting waterfalls form in the Monchio delle Corti area that give life to fairytale scenarios!

There are numerous and vast beech forests in the area, but some have a particularity: They are located at such a high altitude and subject to such heavy snowfall that they are deformed by the snow itself mixed with the strong wind that impacts the trunks, thus assuming a "sabre" shape..

The Appennino Tosco-Emiliano date back thirty million years: they originated from sandstone sedimented at a depth of 6000 meters on the seabed, which subsequently surfaced due to movements that affected the land and formed the current reliefs. During the Wurmian glaciation, all the valleys were covered, filling the basins and forming the current lakes and,with the subsequent thaw, the glaciers that covered the rocks formed large cavities that can be observed along some high-altitude routes, namely glacial potholes.

Il Parco dei Cento Laghi It owes its name to the precious water resource that this territory possesses. Lakes, streams, creeks, waterfalls and  small lakes called mountain pasture pools They form with melting snow and heavy rainfall, filling the ground with enchanting pools of water and creating unique natural scenery.