Johann Wolfgang Goethe wrote about the encounter with the Italian range of Apennines in the masterpiece "Journey to Italy": "The Apennines are for me a wonderful piece of creation. The great plain of the Po region follows a chain of mountains which rises from the bottom, to close the continent to the south between two seas. [...] It's such a bizarre tangle of mountain walls, close to each other, which often can't even tell which way the water flows. ». There's no better way to describe the variety of the landscape of this part of the Via. After the Apennines you'll meet the Apuan Alps, famous for the marble mines, used by the Roman Empire for building villas and by Michelangelo and Donatello. From the highest point of the hike you'll see the Mediterranean.
Highlights:
- The wild Apennines range, the "green heart of Italy"
- The old villages of Lunigiana region such as Pontremoli and Sarzana
- The excellent local food and wine
Highlights:
- The wild Apennines range, the "green heart of Italy"
- The old villages of Lunigiana region such as Pontremoli and Sarzana
- The excellent local food and wine
Day 1: Individual arrival in Parma.
Parma is a very beautiful town, full of artistic, historical and classical music heritage, wordlwide famous for the “Parmigiano” cheese and the “Prosciutto Crudo” ham. Overnight stay in Parma.
Day 2: Castello di Casola – Berceto (4h30 / 5 hours hiking, +650mt -590mt, 15,5 km)
Train from Parma to Fornovo. From Fornovo you enter the Apennine mountain range. The landscape is more hilly and at the distance you can see the high pastures. Passing the "Alpe Bardonis", a very important place for resting and hospitality during the pilgrimage to Rome. You will join the tiny and beautiful village of Cassio on the wild "Val Baganza” and Berceto, with the spectacular XII century cathedral. In Berceto don’t miss the local dish with “porcini” mushrooms. Dinner and overnight stay in Berceto.
Day 3: Berceto - Previde (6 hours hiking, +570mt -940mt, 18 km)
Today you'll reach the highest point of the journey, the "Cisa Pass". On clear days you can see the Mediterranean! Hiking in centenary forest of chestnut and beech, shelter for the wolves and the deer. You enter in Tuscany, leaving Emilia Romagna region. The end of the hike is ine the lovely village of Previde, where the houses are made by stone and wood. Overnight stay in Previde.
Day 4: Previde – Pontremoli (4 hours hiking, +300mt -500mt, 11 km)
You’re stepping into “Lunigiana”, the wild area that takes the name from the old Roman port of Luni, very strategic for the marble trading in all the Roman Empire. Along your way lovely bridges and villages, built of stone and local wood. Tiny squares, medieval churches and fountains, will take you back in time, breathing a truly pilgrim atmosphere. Located on the banks of the river Magra, Pontremoli offers one of the most beautiful historical centres of Italy and so much culture. Overnight stay in Pontremoli.
Day 5: Pontremoli – Filattiera – Aulla (5h30 hours hiking, +330mt -430mt, 21 km)
Private transfer/train to Filattiera. Today you will discover the valley of the river Magra. You will pass near by the villages of Villafranca in Lunigiana and Terrarossa. Along the way, many castles of the noble Malaspina family enrich the landscapes. Before reaching Aulla you will pass the abbey of St. Caprasio which dates from the 9th century. Dinner and overnight stay in Aulla.
Day 6: Aulla – Sarzana (6h30 hours hiking, +500mt -500mt, 18 km)
Aulla was entirely destroyed during the bombing of the Second World War. This village on the shore of the Serchio river, has been proudly rebuilt by its inhabitants. During the hike in the pastures you'll have your first chance to see the amazing Alpi Apuane mountain range. Overnight stay in Sarzana.
Day 7: Sarzana - Massa (4 hours hiking, +170mt -160mt, 16 km)
Private transfer to Luni. Sarzana gives its celebrity to the marble of the mines in the Apuan Alps. From Michelangelo to Botero, the most important sculptors ever came here to create from the "perfect marble"...Along the hike to the town of Massa, you have the opportunity to visit the ancient Roman port and theatre of Luni. End of the tour. In Massa you can book an extra night in hotel (option) or continue walking on the next part of Via Francigena.
Parma is a very beautiful town, full of artistic, historical and classical music heritage, wordlwide famous for the “Parmigiano” cheese and the “Prosciutto Crudo” ham. Overnight stay in Parma.
Day 2: Castello di Casola – Berceto (4h30 / 5 hours hiking, +650mt -590mt, 15,5 km)
Train from Parma to Fornovo. From Fornovo you enter the Apennine mountain range. The landscape is more hilly and at the distance you can see the high pastures. Passing the "Alpe Bardonis", a very important place for resting and hospitality during the pilgrimage to Rome. You will join the tiny and beautiful village of Cassio on the wild "Val Baganza” and Berceto, with the spectacular XII century cathedral. In Berceto don’t miss the local dish with “porcini” mushrooms. Dinner and overnight stay in Berceto.
Day 3: Berceto - Previde (6 hours hiking, +570mt -940mt, 18 km)
Today you'll reach the highest point of the journey, the "Cisa Pass". On clear days you can see the Mediterranean! Hiking in centenary forest of chestnut and beech, shelter for the wolves and the deer. You enter in Tuscany, leaving Emilia Romagna region. The end of the hike is ine the lovely village of Previde, where the houses are made by stone and wood. Overnight stay in Previde.
Day 4: Previde – Pontremoli (4 hours hiking, +300mt -500mt, 11 km)
You’re stepping into “Lunigiana”, the wild area that takes the name from the old Roman port of Luni, very strategic for the marble trading in all the Roman Empire. Along your way lovely bridges and villages, built of stone and local wood. Tiny squares, medieval churches and fountains, will take you back in time, breathing a truly pilgrim atmosphere. Located on the banks of the river Magra, Pontremoli offers one of the most beautiful historical centres of Italy and so much culture. Overnight stay in Pontremoli.
Day 5: Pontremoli – Filattiera – Aulla (5h30 hours hiking, +330mt -430mt, 21 km)
Private transfer/train to Filattiera. Today you will discover the valley of the river Magra. You will pass near by the villages of Villafranca in Lunigiana and Terrarossa. Along the way, many castles of the noble Malaspina family enrich the landscapes. Before reaching Aulla you will pass the abbey of St. Caprasio which dates from the 9th century. Dinner and overnight stay in Aulla.
Day 6: Aulla – Sarzana (6h30 hours hiking, +500mt -500mt, 18 km)
Aulla was entirely destroyed during the bombing of the Second World War. This village on the shore of the Serchio river, has been proudly rebuilt by its inhabitants. During the hike in the pastures you'll have your first chance to see the amazing Alpi Apuane mountain range. Overnight stay in Sarzana.
Day 7: Sarzana - Massa (4 hours hiking, +170mt -160mt, 16 km)
Private transfer to Luni. Sarzana gives its celebrity to the marble of the mines in the Apuan Alps. From Michelangelo to Botero, the most important sculptors ever came here to create from the "perfect marble"...Along the hike to the town of Massa, you have the opportunity to visit the ancient Roman port and theatre of Luni. End of the tour. In Massa you can book an extra night in hotel (option) or continue walking on the next part of Via Francigena.
Skill level: medium, 4,30 to 6h30 hours walking each day, well marked large and paved paths and wooden trails. Prior hiking experience is recommended.
Accommodation: 6 nights in hotel ***/**, and B&B based on twin/triple ensuite room
Equipment: trekking shoes, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream.
Included:
- 6 nights' accommodation with B&B treatment
- Luggage transfer from day 2 to day 7
- Dinners included as described in the program
- 24 h Phone Assistance in case of emergency
- Maps, road book and description of the tour
Not included:
- All kind of beverages and personal items
- All lunches (about 5€ for each picnic lunch)
- Dinners not included in the program
- Transfer to the first accommodation in Fornovo on day 1
- Tourist tax where required (about 2€ per day per person)
Accommodation: 6 nights in hotel ***/**, and B&B based on twin/triple ensuite room
Equipment: trekking shoes, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream.
Included:
- 6 nights' accommodation with B&B treatment
- Luggage transfer from day 2 to day 7
- Dinners included as described in the program
- 24 h Phone Assistance in case of emergency
- Maps, road book and description of the tour
Not included:
- All kind of beverages and personal items
- All lunches (about 5€ for each picnic lunch)
- Dinners not included in the program
- Transfer to the first accommodation in Fornovo on day 1
- Tourist tax where required (about 2€ per day per person)
Trips Note
Destination: Emilia Romagna and Tuscany
Travel Style: Self-guided walking holiday
Interest: Pilgrim route and local gastronomy
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Departures: Apr May Jun Jul Aou Sep Oct
Group size: from 1 person
Airport: Milan and Bologna
