Ducati Path - 1st stage from Quattro Castella to Canossa

A path through dukedoms
From the river Enza in Emilia Romagna to Lunigiana in Tuscany

All year round.

Club Alpino Italiano of Reggio Emilia

The "Sentiero dei Ducati (Path through Dukedoms) was originally the border between the dukedoms that separated neighbouring villages and valleys until 1848 and were continually crossed by travellers, pilgrims and smugglers.It runs almost parallel to the river Enza and starts out at Quattro Castella, before passing close to some of the more important locations, historically speaking, such as Canossa Castle and the Church at Pianzo; it reaches the top of Mount Barazzone and Mount Staffola, skirts past the splendid Tassaro river valley and visits the hamlets of Legoreccio, Pineto and Spigone.  After Vetto, the path enters into Ramiseto territory and presses on as far as the Lagastrello Pass, within the confines of the new Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park.

La tappa parte da Quattro Castella. Raggiungibile in automobile da Reggio Emilia imboccando la SS 63 sino a Puianello, dove si svolta a destra seguendo l'indicazione per Montecavolo - Quattro Castella.
Distanza da Reggio Emilia: 22 km circa.

Matildic Area

Apennines

STAGE 1: FROM QUATTRO CASTELLA TO GRASSANO Approximate time: 3 hours
Path climbs: 505 metres
Path descends: 165 metres
Distance covered: 9.6 km Hotels and restaurants, shops and public transport to Reggio Emilia can all be found at Quattro Castella. LIPU Visitor's Centre at Monticelli. B&B and restaurant at Pietre di Grassano. From the church at Quattro Castella, follow the road for Monticelli, and continue past the gates to the LIPU reserve at Bianello. When the tarmac road ends (at the Moia source), continue along the unpaved road until you reach the former clay works and Casa Moia; the dirt track continues up as far as Caverzana: veer left on the tarmac road until it crosses the main road, then turn left to the Madonna della Battaglia Oratory 373 m (1 hour.10). Continue along a dirt road to Case Valle, then stay on the scenic ridge until you reach Case Rosso: the path now drops off to the right. Continue straight on at the first crossing and continue your descent. Follow the path as it winds its way down, passing by the ruins of a building and turning right on the Modolena river valley floor. Wade across the river and follow the southerly course of the small affluent, crossing it 5 times. A hairpin bend takes you up to the ruins of the hamlet of Reverbera, before the path continues along the track to Casa Roma and Pietre di Grassano 513 m, before it emerges out onto the main road at  B&B the Canossa stones  (2 hours; 3.10).