Sassi di Roccamalatina

I recently came across a guide book to a place called: Sassi di Roccamalatina. Flicking through the pages it seemed like an interesting place to while away a Sunday afternoon. Especially as it seemed one could climb to the top of a mini mountain without any effort.

180° view of the Sassi di Raccamalatina, Vignola, MO

Sometimes things that go wrong at first turn out for ones advantage in the end.  This was a case in point.

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

 The park is not too well signposted and I ended up in another part of the park some way away from the place I wanted to visit. This meant a hike, which in turn meant putting on my walking boots.

After a short hike I arrived at the hamlet called  Borgo dei Sassi where one pays €3 to climb the rock.Ominously one has to sign a waiver to release the park from any responsibility before entering. Strange I thought to myself.  

Not the first visitor

Things start easily enough, but then you turn a corner to find a long, well worn staircase carved out of the rock.

Stairway to heaven, Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

A long way down,Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Once at the top there is another surprise. One must climb a ladder whose rungs are set into the rock to reach the next level. Thank goodness I had to put on my walking boots and did not come here wearing my town shoes as I had intended!

The Ladder, Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

More stairs and I finally arrived at the inevitable cross that is to be found on the top of the lots of rocks and mountains in Italy.

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Borgo dei Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

This particular rock was once a Byzantine fort and there are several caves have been carved out of the rock. The view from the top is splendid even on the misty day I had.

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Returning to the car I took the road that runs below the rock to get a good view of the complex. At a certain point the Asphalt ends and one finds oneself on what is called a “White road” in Italy. The road is a gravel track with lots of potholes and stones, but good fun to drive on if you take care.

I soon found myself right below the rocks and could faintly see the cross where I had been before.

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Continuing along I was presented with lots of other nice views of the rock.

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

Sassi di Rocamalatina, Vignola, MO

This Regional Park is a wonderful area of the mid Apennines and I think I will return here again on a clear day in Autumn or Spring. 

Classic Apennines

In July I managed to get a couple of decent hikes in. I decided on two classic Apennine hikes; one in the Province of Parma and one in the Province of Reggio Emilia. It has been extremely hot here so water was an issue when I planned these two walks

Leaving the car at “I Lagdei “ near Corniglio (Parma) at a nice early and cool six o clock, I took the old mule path up to Lago Santo  where I had breakfast at the Rifugio. The sun had risen just enough to bathe the lake in early morning light.

Lago Santo, Cornigilo, Parma

Lago Santo, Cornigilo, Parma

Pressing on I reached the “Crinale” at  Passo  Marmagna and stopped for a while to enjoy the view down the Magra Valley.

From Monte Aquilotto looking East, PR

Turning east I followed the ups and downs of the Crinale towards Passo Badignana. The last part before the pass is what I term as “interesting”: here on one side the thick impenetrable Beach tree forest reaches up to the crest and on the other side one has a near vertical drop down into Tuscany. The path follows a narrow border between the two.

Monte Aquilotto, PR

Looking west from Monte Aquila PR

Along the Crinale PR

An interesting path between the trees and a shear drop before Passo Badignana.

An interesting path between the trees and a shear drop before Passo Badignana.

An interesting path between the trees and a shear drop before Passo Badignana.

Along the Crinale PR

Along the Crinale PR

The day was getting hot and so when I reached the “Fonte del Vescovo” or the Bishops spring, drinking  the cold water gushing out of the spring was a great pleasure.

Lago Bicchiere was my next stop. I found the lake very dried up and disappointing.

Lago Bicchiere, PR

Lago Bicchiere, PR

Now it was time to return using the path below the mountain to take me back to I Lagdei.  The 715 footpath takes one down a delicious valley below Monte Scala to a Sheppards hut at Capanna Badignana.

Below Monte Scala, PR

Below Monte Scala, PR

One last stiff climb up to the Crinale at  Passo Del Guadine  and then it was downhill all the way to Lake Santo and then onto the car at I Lagorai.

The Mule path at I Lagdei

My second hike was one that I have attempted before, but where I had to turn back due to bad weather last time. Bad weather was predicted for this days hike as well, so I kept my eyes open for those thin wispy clouds above the mountain peaks that are a good sign of bad weather in arrival.

Again I left the car to start my walk at an ungodly hour and was rewarded by some fine early morning light that let me take my two favourite pictures from this hike.

From Passo Ospedaletto. The Pietra di Brismantova is in the far distance. RE

Passo Ospedaletto RE

The fist climb takes one to the “Sorgenti del Secchia” a perfect Glacial Circus where our River Secchia rises.

Sorgenti del Secchia RE

Sorgenti del Secchia RE

Sorgenti del Secchia RE

Sorgenti del Secchia RE

Crossing the flat bed of the circus let me catch my breath before the stiff climb up to the Passo Pietra Tagliata. The views from the pass are wonderful. 

Almost up to Passo Pietra Tagliata, RE

Passo Pietra Tagliata, RE

Passo Pietra Tagliata, RE

After a brief rest at the pass It was time to drop down to the Ghiaccione a wonderful verdant corner of our Apennines due to the multitude of springs that rise here.

Passo Pietra Tagliata, RE

Down to the "Giaccioni" RE

Down to the "Giaccioni" RE

A brief rest a drink of cool spring water at the Bivouac and it was time to retrace my steps back to the car.

"I Giaccioni" RE

"I Giaccioni" RE

"I Giaccioni" RE

"I Giaccioni" RE

I was lucky the forecasted bad weather did not arrive.

I still had some time so I took the long road back passing a lovely “Pieve Romanica” at Codipont in Lunigiana where I admires the strange Column capitals.

Pieve di Codiponte, MS

Pieve di Codiponte, MS

Pieve di Codiponte, MS

Pieve di Codiponte, MS

Pieve di Codiponte, MS