Hiking in the Northern Apennines

Hiking in Emilia-Romagna

Parco Nazionale dell'Appennino Tosco-Emiliano

Best Time to Visit: June-October

Introduction to the Northern Apennines

34            High Crest – Monte Sillara Loop    

Loop along  the high crest of the Appennino Parmanese to the summit of Monte Sillara

Distance: Approximately 10 km (6 mi)

Elevation: 1320 – 1859 meters (4330 - 6098 ft)

Hiking Time: 6 hours

Park: Parco di Cento Laghi

Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous

Time to Visit: April to October

View north along the High Crest

              Paragliding over the glacial tarns of Monte Sillara                                            View North from Monte Matto

35            Springs of the Secchia River

Passo del Cerreto to the source of the Secchia river located in the glacial cirque of the Alpe di Succiso

Distance: Approximately 8 km (5 mi) roundtrip

            Approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) with Alpi di Succiso summit

Elevation: 1261 – 1779 m (4136 – 5835 ft) or 2017 m (6616 ft) at Alpi di Succiso summit

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours or add 2 additional hours for Alpi di Succiso summit

Park: Parco del Gigante

Difficulty: Moderate (strenuous with Alpi di Succiso summit climb)

Time to Visit: April to October

Glacial Cirque of the Secchia                                                                                Cliffs of Monte Alta

(Add 1.6 km round-trip and 150 m climb for the Monte Sillano summit spur)

Elevation: 1575 m – 1810 m (5166 ft – 5937 ft) or 1824 m (5983 ft) at Monte Sillano summit

                                                Blueberry heaths in October                                                                            Ridgeline of Monte Sillano

Alpine grasslands on Monte Sillano

37            Monte Cusna Loop

Distance: approximately  14.5 km (9 mi)

Elevation: 1,150 – 2,120 m (3,772 – 6,954 ft)

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Park: Parco Regionale Alto Appennino Reggiano (Parco del Gigante)

Difficulty: Strenuous

Time to Visit: June – October

Monte Cusna Summit (2nd highest peak in Northern Apennines)

            Semi-wild horses high on the slopes of Monte Cusna                                                        Monte Sillano from Monte Cusna

38            Monte Cimone Loop – Highest Point in the Northern Apennines

Loop hike to the summit of Monte Cimone; the highest peak in the Northern Apennines.

Distance: 12.2 km (7.6 miles)

Elevation: 1,305 – 2,165 m (4,280 – 7,101ft)

Hiking Time: 6 hours

Park: Parco Regionale dell’Alto Apennino Modenese (Parco del Frignano)

Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous

Time to Visit: May - October

                    Alpine meadows on the slopes of Monte Cimone                                        Meteorological Station on the Summit of Monte Cimone

39            Glacial Cirque of Monte Giovo

Distance: approximately  8.5 km (5.3 mi) for the short loop – 11.4 km (7.1 mi) for the long loop 

Elevation: 1365 – 1964 m (4477 – 6442 ft) or 1991 m (6531 ft) at Monte Giovo summit

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours for the short loop – 6-7 hours for the long loop

Park: Parco Regionale dell’Alto Apennino Modenese (Parco del Frignano)

Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous for the short loop – Very strenuous for the long loop

Time to Visit: June – October

Monte Giovo from Monte Rondinaio                                                                Northern Apennines Panorama

Monte Cimone view from Monte Rondinaio                                                              Cirque of Monte Giovo with Lago Baccio

40            Corno alle Scale Loop

Loop along the crest of the Apennino Bolognese to the summit of Corno alle Scale

Round Trip: 9.2 km (5.7 miles)        

Elevation: 1415 – 1945 meters (4641 - 6380 ft)

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Park: Parco Regionale del Corno alle Scale

Difficulty: Moderate

Time to Visit: May – October

Linda and Maile above the cirque of Corno alle Scale                                        Lago Scaffaiolo below with Monte Cimone in the distance

Expert's trail down the steep cliffs of Corno alle Scale                                                The glacial cirque of Corno alle Scale