Monchio, in the heart of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano

Discover the SENTIERISTICS of the territory

Hiking or biking, customized hikes from the mountains to the sea with Monchio delle Corti’s Environmental Hiking Guides!

the MOUNTAINS and CEMS

Reaching Cima Canuti we 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 To perceive that you are on top of the world and the bed of velvety grass with the blueberries will make your walk relaxing by making you feel at one with the surrounding nature.
The summit is about 1.5 km east of Mt. Bocco and about 400 m west of Mt. Malpasso.

The Grop Soràn in dialect is the rock face that overlooks Casarola and where the golden eagle finds an ideal nesting environment.

Monte Bocco is located at an altitude of 1790 m and is situated on the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. To reach the summit, the extended route along the Emilian side is recommended over the Tuscan side, as the latter is steeper and very steep. On the rounded summit of Bocco is a stone artifact built by CAI that holds a religious symbol. Crossing the undulating plateau of the Bocco and continuing to the ridge you will reach the not far away peak of Monte Uomo Morto (1773 m), equally striking and fascinating.

Monte Giogo reflects amysterious, sci-fi atmosphere at 1518 m above sea level: the imposing radars tower above the valley just above Lago Paduli in the municipality of Comano, Massa Carrara province. The former NATO base, built in 1956 is now disused and was abandoned in the 1990s. The diameter of the four radars is about 20 meters, and they are so majestic as to inspire awe at the mere sight of them.

Located on the Apennine ridge, Malpasso is the ideal spot to enjoy views of Passo del Lagastrello, Lago Paduli, and Alpe di Succiso. Slightly lower than the other peaks of the ridge , the term “Malpasso” denotes the fluctuating pattern of the ridge surface on which the peak extends, at times soft, covered with soft grass and at times angular, composed of millennia-old rocks.

Continuing the hike from Monte Palerà, you can find Costa Maria Gallina, immediately recognizable by the small rock face located on the west side.
Along the way you will find lush meadows with delicate primroses, colorful heather and fragrant violets, cross beech and chestnut groves being able to admire their fruits, and you may also make the acquaintance of shy deer, enjoy the chirping of numerous species of birds but also catch a glimpse of the hawk and eagle, the emblem of this locality.

Because of its minimal difficulty, the Monte Navert route is particularly suitable for winter snowshoeing.
Monte Navert is also referred to as “the balcony on the ridge,” precisely because it is possible to admire the view below from a privileged position that allows the view to sweep from Passo della Colla to Alpe di Succiso, making for a truly exceptional experience.
A cross was installed on the top of the mountain, a symbol that was the subject of numerous souvenir photos of the trip to Mt. Navert by numerous hikers.

Mt. Sillara is located on the border between Emilia and Tuscany and is the highest peak in the Parma Apennines.
It turns out to be easily recognizable by the presence of a rock wall positioned at its top, where there is also a small stone chapel with the statuette of the Madonna inside, a peculiarity and a sign of man’s passage since ancient times on this peak, chosen for the placement of this religious symbol precisely because it is the highest, so much so that it seems to be touching the clouds and being close to heaven.
The dark color of the rocks is evidence of the millennia-old origin of the Apennines in that initially in place of the mountain range was the Ligurian ocean, whose seabed was rich in iron ore.
From Monte Sillara, if you turn your gaze to the south you can make out the two striking lakes of the same name, “the Laghi Sillara” looking toward Lunigiana you can catch a glimpse of the medieval village of Jera, turning to the northwest you can make out Trefiumi while to the northeast the Valcedra dominates the view.

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

On the path that from Monte Parrà passes through Costa Maria Gallina and continues to Passo del Lupo, during the 12th-13th centuries, a fortification called “Il Castellaro” was built and occupied, which served to control the areas under the rule of the Vallisneri, a family of feudal lords who subjugated the territory, given the strategic location of this peak which made it possible to guard as many as two valleys at once, namely the Cedra and Enza valleys. In 1448 the Republic of Parma ended the Vallisneri’s control over these lands, also destroying this fortification, the remains of whose walls can be seen today, submerged by the vegetation growing wildly around it.

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

Monte Torricella possesses a rocky ledge located right on the summit that resembles the shape of a tower, hence the name “Torricella.” The mountain separates Prato Spilla from Lago Verde; because of its special appearance, Torricella is a popular destination for enthusiasts.
Once at the top, your gaze will open to the rest of the ridge, allowing a 360-degree view.
For these reasons, Torricella lends itself well to mountaineering.

LAKES and MIRRORS OF WATER.

Lago Ballano is an ideal place to camp and enjoy a well-deserved post-hike rest, relaxing and being caressed by the sun’s rays reflecting off its crystal-clear waters. The Ballano has an equipped area with a bar and basic services, and it is also possible to camp and spend the night in a tent with family and friends, refueling in areas set up for barbecues and picnics.

It is possible to get to the lake directly by driving down the road or by starting from Prato Spilla and following the dedicated route of about 40 minutes on foot going into the beech forest that in summer shelters from the sultry heat and makes the walk to this wonderful destination cool and even more pleasant.

The Laghi di Compione or Laghi di Grotta are located on the Emilia side of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano ridge.
These are small lakes whose capacity varies according to the seasons and rainfall: when the snow melts beside the two main lakes, a pretty alpine pond is created, which disappears in summer periods.

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

Also referred to as “the unknown lake,” the Frasconi is a mysterious little known and even less frequented lake, which makes it enigmatic and clothes it with a special charm in the eyes of those who seek it out: a hidden treasure in an almost unexplored and undiscovered territory.

Lago Martini is a pretty basin of glacial origin fed only by rainwater and melting snow, and as a result, it tends to dry up in summer. There are no fish inside, but a characteristic amphibian typical of the Monchio delle Corti area can be observed: the alpine newt.
Escorted during the ridge walk, in the distance the pond looks like a tiny dot deep blue color that stands out with the colors of the surrounding vegetation, bordered by rocks smoothed by its waters over the years.

Lago Paduli, also called Lagastrello, is located exactly halfway between two regions, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, and three provinces, Parma, Massa-Carrara and Reggio Emilia. An area of passage and encounter located at the Lagastrello Pass where this reservoir was formed following the construction of a dam on the Enza stream in the early 1900′.

Easy to reach by car because it is located on the main road and surrounded by easy routes that allow you to admire the lake from all its perspectives, Lago Paduli is a destination for many visitors who want to spend a day cooling off on its shores.

The different shades of green that characterize the vegetation that frames the lake in summer and the pastel colors that nature offers in autumn contrast with the blue of its waters, creating a landscape that inspires wonder and awe.

Lago Palo is a natural oasis surrounded by greenery and characterized by crystal-clear water on which the rock face of majestic Mt. Malpasso reflects. Located at 1508 m above sea level, Lago Palo is fed by a stream that originates from Cima Canuti and by underground springs from which very pure water gushes out. To the delight of anglers, it is possible to fish here upon issuance of a permit.

From Prato Spilla you can get to Lago Palo by following the dedicated route of about 40 min, all completely in the shade and very cool in summer. When you reach the end of the path you will catch a glimpse of a breathtaking spectacle from behind the green shrubs; you will feel as if you are standing in front of an auteur painting.

Lago Palo is worth visiting in any season: in summer you will be surrounded by bright and welcoming colors, in autumn the falling leaves around the lake will form a bewitching 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.

The Lago Scuro owes its name to the dark color of its waters: in fact, during the autumn period the leaves of the surrounding beech forest fall on its bottom, which thus takes on a dark brown color, tending to black. In addition, this lake is fed exclusively by seasonal tributaries, making it completely dry at certain times, and fossilized white spruce logs can be seen inside, a peculiarity that makes it appear even more somber and a destination for many tourists curious to admire such a mysterious landscape.

Set like shining gems on the slopes of Mt. Sillara are the Laghi Sillara. Also called the Laghi Gemelli, the Sillaras are the highest in the Parma Apennines: 1732 m above sea level for Upper Sillara Lake, which is only one m away from Lower Sillara Lake.
In rainy seasons, the heavy downpours create a truly impressive naturalistic spectacle: their water levels rise and submerge the part of the land that normally divides them, thus creating a single body of water.
The feeling one gets when visiting the Sillaras is that of being in an ethereal world given the purity and clarity of their Waters that are also often found shrouded in clouds, thus giving the impression of being able to touch the sky with one finger.

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

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

Lago Verde is the deepest and third largest lake in the province of Parma. Because of the depth of its waters, it is an ideal habitat for brown trout, which can be caught only if authorized and provided with a permit issued by the municipality, as well as a fishing license.

The color of the lake’s waters is deep blue, and the landscape is enclosed in the embrace of the bright green woods and soft grass that is ideal for lying down and resting after the hike taken to reach it-in fact, you can get there in about 45 minutes starting from Lago Ballano. Its extraordinary colors and location at 1507 m above sea level make Green Lake the ideal place to relax, away from noise and crowds.

… you can also meet

The Bivacco Cagnin is a small and cozy always-open bivouac where hikers gladly stop for refreshment and rest after long walks. Located at the foot of Monte Torricella, inside are benches and a dining room with a fireplace and table, ideal for refreshment while contemplating the views and peace offered by the surrounding nature.

In Spring, when the snow begins to melt, enchanting little waterfalls form in the Monchio delle Corti area, creating fairy-tale scenery!

Numerous and vast are the beech forests in the area, some, however, have a peculiarity: they are found at such a high altitude and subject to such heavy snowfall that they are deformed by the snow itself mixed with the strong wind impacting the trunks, thus assuming a “saber” shape.

The birth of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano dates back thirty million years: everything was born from sandstone sedimented at a depth of 6000 m on the seabed, which later came to the surface by movements that affected the land and formed the present reliefs. During the Wurmian glaciation, all the valleys were covered, filling in the basins and forming the present lakes, and with the subsequent thaw, the glaciers that covered the rocks formed large cavities that can be seen along some of the high-altitude routes, the glacial potholes.

The Parco dei Cento Laghi owes its name to the precious water resource this area possesses. Lakes, streams, brooks, waterfalls and small ponds called alpine pools form as the snow melts and heavy rains fall, filling the land with enchanting pools of water and providing unique natural scenery.