Two Passes, Ospedalaccio and Pradarena

January has not been great as far as the weather is concerned, so I have just done two short walks in the Apennines so far this year.

Valle dell Inferno from cerreto Pass

The first walk I did was from the Cerreto Pass up to the Ospedelaccio Pass. The name of the pass tells us that there was once a hostel in the middle ages for travellers crossing the Apennines. The route across the Apennines changed and the hostel fell into disuse. 

Passo del Ospedalaccio, Toscana meets Emilia

Passo Ospedalaccio

Passo Ospedalaccio

 Crossing the Apennines was once a hazardous business with bandits and bad weather in winter laying in ambush. Crossing from Liguria to the Po valley would take several days on foot or by mule. These “hospedali” usually run by monks provided shelter and food. The only trace that remains of them today are the place names like Ospedaletto on the way to the Pradarena Pass. Confusingly Hospital in Italian is “Ospedale” rather than “Ostello” which would be the modern equivalent.  

Passo Ospedalaccio

Passo Cerreto

Returning I was rewarded with a splendid sunset.

Passo Cerreto

Passo Cerreto

Passo Cerreto

My second walk was from Pradarena Pass, up over Monte Asinara and down to the Comunella Pass.

Passo Pradarena RE

Passo Pradarena RE

The snow we had before Christmas has nearly all gone and just present on the Northern slopes of the mountain ridge.

Monte Asinara, RE

Monte Asinara, RE

Monte Cusna from Monte Asinara, RE

Monte Cavalbianco dal Monte Asinara RE

Monte Asinara, RE

Alpi Apuani from Monte Asinara

As always this is a nice little walk with some lovely views. The beech woods have created some interesting landscapes that are always interesting to photograph.

Monte Asinara

Passo della Comunella MS

Passo Comunella MS

Passo Comunella MS

Passo della Comunella, MS

Passo della Comunella, MS

Monte Cusna

Passo della Comunella MS

Passo Comunella MS

Passo Pradarena