TREKKING & CYCLING TOURS APUAN ALPS Discover the Vinca valley: a village in the Eastern Apuan Alps Under the south-east mountain side of Pizzo d Uccello, the sunny village of Vinca welcomes you, surrounded by the mountains Pizzo d Uccello, Grondilice and Sagro, between peaks, pinnacles, pastures and woods. Passing through the village you will learn history and traditions of this mountain hamlet: sheep farming, marble, chestnuts, its famous bread and its sad massacre dating back to the Second World War. Just outside the village stand chestnut woods symbolizing the economic strength of the past times, paths between raspberries and white limestone up to the Garnerone refuge. From here, we will walk through fir trees reforestation up to Foce Rasori, where you will enjoy a beautiful lookout. After lunch, on the way back we will pass through pastures, walking up Passo del Giovo with views on the Serenaia Valley, before descending back to Vinca. Difficulty: E (hiking)* Monte Sagro marble quarries The Apuan Alps marble quarries which have made Carrara famous worldwide since ancient times, are also an open air museum showing the man s work and, unfortunately, an irreparable wound in the landscape of this Regional Park. Walking an easy path starting from Rifugio Carrara and passing through beech woods and blossoming orchids and daffodils (in Spring), we will get to Prati di Campocecina, where you will enjoy a wonderful view on the marble quarries and the coast. Walking around the base of Monte Borla, protected by an European project for environmental preservation, we will get to the quarries at the foot of Monte Sagro, sacred for the ancient Ligurian-Apuan population and today museum of the endless mining. Difficulty: E- (hiking) Eastern Lunigiana from the Aquila Castle to Equi Terme We leave from the medieval village of Gragnola (160m) and walk up the hill which dominates the view. The Lucido stream joins the River Aulella, creating an important meeting point for trade in the Middle Ages. A short uphill stretch brings us to the walls of the castle (318m), recently renovated thanks to its new owner, who will tell us about its history and the discoveries made during the 1
excavations and restoration. On leaving the castle we walk through woods and the surrounding countryside until we reach the thermal centre at Equi Terme (284m), at the foot of the north face of M. Pizzo d Uccello, the most imposing peak in the Apuan Alps. During this walk, you ll be captivated by the mountain peaks and the villages below, set like jewels in the hills of the Lucido Valley. To return to Gragnola, we take the train on the little local railway line so we can help the environment and keep a local enterprise in use which fits in well with our historical-environmental day out in this part of Lunigiana. Guided tours available at the Aquila Castle and/or of the Equi Caves. Difficulty: T Departure point: Gragnola Arrival point: Equi Terme TUSCAN-EMILIAN APENNINES Prati di Logarghena Filattiera hamlet and Pieve di Sorano This excursion will give you a general overview of the natural and human environment of Lunigiana, with splendid views on the River Magra valley from Logarghena, a plateau protected for its biodiversity, situated at the foot of Monte Orsaro. We will then visit Filattiera, a Byzantine hamlet and its ancient rural church of Sorano, where it has been found a statua stele, which is an anthropoid figure sculpted on stone by the population living in this area during the Neolithic era, - today symbol of Lunigiana. Nature, biodiversity, environmental and rural issues, medieval architecture, Christian places and pagan idols, all in one day! Difficulty: T Comments: this is an easy excursion with no particular difficulties. Though you can wear normal sport shoes, we suggest that you wear trekking shoes especially for the walk in Logarghena. Bagnone - Iera and Tornini mountain pastures Environmental excursion immersed in the Apennines National Park. We depart from the village of Iera directed to the old mountain huts, recently restored thanks to European funding and available for stops and accommodation. The guide will explain the man-environment relation of this side of the Apennines and its socioeconomic issues. Depending on the fitness of the group it will be possible to reach the peak and understand more deeply the morphological features and the human impact on this territory. Indeed, the chestnut woods, rivers, pastures and hamlets will give us the opportunity to learn not only the natural features of this area but also the impact of the human work. We will try to analyse 2
a possible new interaction between these two actors who could use positively the potential of this territory, currently mostly abandoned. It is also possible to stop for the night in huts equipped with heater and photovoltaic panels for electricity. Difficulty: E, E+ (Hiking) Duration: all day Prati di Logarghena Bocchetta del Monte Orsaro (1730 m slm) The excursion, that requires determination and good knowledge of the mountain, is in the Lunigiana area of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano (Tuscan-Emilian Apennines) and on clear days the view extends from Corsica, through the Gulf of La Spezia, the Apuan Alps up to the Po Valley. The route progresses between Pontremoli and Filattiera, entering partly in the National Park of the Tuscan Emilian Apennines, especially by the Prati di Logarghena (Logarghena Meadows), the starting point. During the Spring the white daffodils here whiten the meadows, offering a spectacular view. On the first Sunday of May the "Daffodil Festival" takes place, drawing many hikers and the sky fills with kites. As the daffodils are protected flowers the picking of them is forbidden. Difficulty: E+ (hiking) The Via Francigena from the Cisa Pass to Pontremoli A country walk on the old pilgrim route through the countryside, woods and villages, with wonderful views of the Apennines. It gives you a real feel for the natural environment, history and traditions of Lunigiana, and the incredible variety of the local landscape. From the Righetto Pass (968m) just below M. Cisa, we walk back to Pontremoli (338m) through the D Antena Valley and the villages of Cavezzana, Groppoli, Groppodalosio, Casalina and Arzengio. Difficulty: E- Departure point: Righetto pass (just below the Cisa) Arrival point: Pontremoli Via degli Abati (Lago Verde- Farfarà Waterfall) 3
This walk gives you the possibility to discover natural beauties and historical sites, being the water the key element of the route. The trail winds along a stretch of the Via degli Abati (Abbots Way), a Medieval route that the religious men of the Monastery of San Colombano of Bobbio used to reach Rome. That road joined, by Pontremoli, the most famous Via Francigena. In addition to its historical value, this ancient road is nowadays of considerable importance from a sport perspective. Along its 125 km, a tough mountain race - the Abbots Way - takes place during the spring for top physical well-trained runners. During our walk we arrive at Lago Verde (Green Lake) at 1049 m a.s.l. passing through chestnut, oak and beech woods with small barns, some in good condition others long abandoned, which were used when chestnuts provided an income to the locals. The lake is an ideal place for a short break before resuming the walk. Afterwards we arrive at the Farfarà waterfall, the most interesting waterfall of the whole area with a drop of 40 meters. If the weather is good it is a pleasure to refresh in clear water! Difficulty: E (hiking) * T = Tourist Walks on well-signed roads, paths or mule tracks, which are also suitable for beginners. E = Excursionist (hiking): Walking on more difficult paths and sometimes off them, involving cross-country rambling sometimes without signing and for longer periods. At times the paths will be exposed but will be protected or have handrails. Requires a minimum of experience and fitness. EE = Expert Excursionist Walking on difficult paths over difficult terrain that may include short stretches of rocky ground, snowfields, open slopes without any reference points and some easy rock climbing. Requires mountain experience and knowledge of the alpine environment. Must be well equipped and have an adequate level of fitness. 4
CYCLING Mountain biking at the foot of the Apennines Lenght: 37 Km (23 miles) Duration: half day Altitude: min. 236 (Pontremoli) max. 1150 (Rifugio Mattei) Road condition: asphalt and dirt roads Bike: mountain bike Difficulty: medium-hard Departure: Pontremoli Arrival: Pontremoli A loop itinerary of approx. 40Km riding along asphalt roads, ancient paths and mule tracks from Pontremoli (236 m above sea level) up to the foot of the Apennines. During this excursion we will pass through different hamlets, woods as well as open and sunny roads where you can enjoy beautiful views of Lunigiana. We will ride asphalt roads, dirt roads and over different grounds also on tree roots and stones. For the return road there are different options according to your ability and your desire of adrenaline. Across Upper Lunigiana Lenght : 37 Km (23 miles) Duration: half day (arrival at Aulla) full day (return to Pontremoli) Altitude : min. 50 m asl (Aulla) max. 380 m asl (Castiglione del Terziere) Road condition : asphalt Bike : with gears Difficulty : medium Departure :Pontremoli Arrival : Aulla or Pontremoli An ideal itinerary for mountain bikes along secondary roads, with little traffic and exciting uphill and downhill. We depart from the historical centre of Pontremoli to discover ancient hamlets, castles and Romanesque churches on the left bank of the Magra River. We will ride quietly on asphalt roads, away from the hectic traffic passing by medieval castles (Pontremoli, Bagnone, Malgrate, Castiglione del Terziere, Monti di Licciana), Romanesque churches (Pieve di Sorano) and beautiful hamlets up to the small town of Aulla. From here there are two possibilities for those interested in continuing their ride: getting to the Tyrrhenian Sea, around 15 Km far, along fascinating secondary roads or riding uphill to conquer the Apennines Pass around 1000 m of altitude. Holy Face Way 5
Lenght: 58 Km Duration: 4 1/2 hrs 5hrs Altitude: min. 120 (Villafranca L.) max. 500 Road condition: asphalt Bike: with gears Difficulty: hard Departure: Villafranca Lunigiana Arrival: Equi Terme An exciting itinerary crossing all Lunigiana up to its eastern border with Garfagnana and the Province of Lucca, from the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines to the shade of the Apuan Alps peaks, discovering the many features which make this area a unique place. Due to its length and difficulty it is required to be a confident cyclist who is after a fit and healthy holiday. From Villafranca in Lunigiana we take the Province Road in the direction of Monti di Licciana, passing through the small hamlets of Pontebosio, Castel del Piano, Posaro and riding uphill to Fivizzano, where a stop to the Piazza Medicea to enjoy a coffee and a croissant in the historical café is a must! We then continue towards Terenzano and overlooking the stunning Apuan Alps we ride up to the Codiponte Romanesque Church, to Cascina, Ugliancaldo up to Equi Terme where we will have a good picnic lunch under the shades of its woods and caves. ** For all the cycling itineraries above it is possible to rent the bikes on the spot and to return by bus. 6
RIVERS Giaredo gorge A fascinating excursion leaving from Giaredo, not far from Pontremoli, to get to the river Gordana and the gorge of Giaredo (part of the project Bioitaly). The gorge has been shaped in the Quaternary era by the variation of the water level, the erosion caused by the water and tectonic movements which have carved vertically the various types of rocks. During this adventure along this beautiful canyon, we will see multicoloured schist, sandstones, Tuscan jaspers and majolica and we will discover lights and shadows, small waterfalls and clear pools. Duration: half day Difficulty: E+ (It is compulsory to be able to swim) You need to bring: dry clothes, shoes or sandals that can get wet, K-way or similar, towel. N.B.: The guide may provide some of the things i.e shoes, life jackets etc. Notes: The best time of the year for this excursion is between Spring and mid August, in order to have warmer days as the water of the canyon can be very cold. It is necessary to check the water level beforehand and the activity of the dam upriver. With the appropriate water level it is possible to use wet suit and snorkelling mask. 7