Our walking holidays are based around the many and varied walking routes to be found within easy reach of our farmhouse in the Apennine Mountains of Emilia Romagna in norhern Italy. Routes will include sections of the Sentiero dei Ducati, Sentiero Matilde, Sentiero Spallanzani, Grande Escursione Appenninica (GEA).
We will show you the high mountains with their extensive and far reaching views, alpine plants and marmots, walk you through chestnut and beech woods with deer, wild boar, wolves and fungi and give you opportunities to sample the passion for food and drink that this area of Italy possesses.
Day One
pm Arrival at Podere Fariolo and welcomed on the terrace with light refreshments. Relax and get to know the farmhouse and your fellow walkers before sitting down for your evening meal.
A very short but steep walk to our top field to take in the extended panorama the height reveals and possibly see the deer as they prepare for the night.
Day Two
After breakfast y ou will explore the area local to Podere Fariolo with a circular walk from the farmhouse. The walk is predominently along old farm tracks with extensive views of the Appennine Mountains and the Pietra di Bismantova
Rocroffio, Gambio, Montecastagneo, Cinqueterre, Ronchi and back to Podere Fariolo
Day Three
Day three gives you an opportunity to sample a section of the Grande Escursione Appenninica (GEA) from Passo di Pradarena (1579m) to the CAI Rifugio Cesare Battisti where you will have an evening meal and stay the night.
After breakfast at Podere Fariolo we drive you up to Passo di Pradarena to start the walk.
The route is along well defined paths with spectacular far reaching views in all directions. On a clear crisp day you will be able to see the sea. There is a short section of high level scree a few metres in length that can be described as challenging.
Day Four
Setting off after breakfast from Rifugio Cesare Battisti your route heads for the top of Monte Cusna (2120m) passing the wind instrument sculpture installed at the foot of Costette and the top of the ski lift from Fabbio. From Monte Cusna there then follows a long descent via Le Prese and Prati di Sara to Casalino from where you will be picked up and returned back to Podere Fariolo.
Day Five
Day off to explore the area Parma, Reggio Emilia, Cerwood, a visit to the oldest Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese manufacturer or even skiing if you come when there is snow at high altitude. The slopes are only 35mins away across the valley.
Day 6
Carpineti, Castle Carpinete, Saccaggio, Noce, Campolungo, Pietra di Bismantova, Ginepreto along route 607A section of the Sentiero Spallanzani 12km
A section of the Sentiero Ducati taking in the Enza valley
Day 7
A circular walk to the top of Monti Ventasso and Largo Calamone with spectacular views over the Appenine Mountains and the Pietra di Bismantova
Day 8
am departure
