Saturday, May 10, 2014

Pilgrimage to Orecchiella



This week I finally managed to do my almost annual pilgrimage to the Pania di Corfino in the Orecchiella Park in the province of Lucca. I do not know why, but I love this little corner of the Garfagnana in the Tuscan Apennines.

The weather should have been good, but was not as often happens in the mountains.  
 
Monte Cusna from the Praderena pass. The weather was not looking too good.
As usual I took the Airone 2 footpath that starts from the visitors centre and via the Buca dei Lupi climbed up to the top of the mountain. Then as usual I could not find the footpath marker and so made my way down to the Bandita over the rocky terrain where one has to be very careful, as a twisted ankle is easy to obtain.  On the way I bumped into the herd of “Muffloni” or wild goats that live in the park. They were gone before I could get the camera out to take a decent photo.

Buca del Lupo, Orecchiella Park

Buca del Lupo, Orecchiella Park

Buca del Lupo, Orecchiella Park

Buca del Lupo, Orecchiella Park


Monte Prado from Pania di Corfino

Monte Prado from Pania di Corfino

Monte Prado from Pania di Corfino

 Pania di Corfino

From Pania di Corfino

Pania di Corfino
I still had time on my side, so I rejoined the footpath that took me to the little hamlet of Campaiana. Here one can see the traces of Celtic architecture that is quite common in the Tosco Emilia Apennines.
Now it was time to return via the paved mule track that drops down towards Corfino.  


Campaiana, LU

Campaiana, LU

Campaiana, LU

Campaiana, LU

Campaiana, LU
I stopped at the little hamlet of Pruno where I photographed a nicely restored Celtic barn complete with thatched roof.

The mule track at San Pelligrino, Pania di Corfino

Pania di Corfino

Pruno, LU


The last couple of kilometres are always hard work on this walk, so I was pleased to see the car.