G.E.A. - stages n 40, 41, 42, 43 from Cerreto Pass to Prato Spilla (PR)

Given the high altitude of the route we advise the summer-autumn period to avoid the snow.

On foot

The GEA route (Great Apennine Excursion) is part of the Sentiero Italia, which from Santa Teresa di Gallura travels the entire mountain ridge of the Apennines and the Alps up to Trieste (6160 km). On the Tuscan - Emilian section it follows the entire Apennine ridge, coinciding with the GEA and the on stretches with the CAI - 0 - 0 route. It involves the Entire Reggiano ridge from the Giovanello Pass to the vicinities of the Lagastrello Pass. The locations closest to the route which can be reached by car are: - Lagastrello Pass: from Ramiseto (SP 15) and, from the opposite side, from Comano (MS)
- Cerreto Pass: from Collagna and from Fivizzano (MS)
- Pradarena Pass: from Ligonchio to Silvano (LU)
- Radici pass: from Civago and from Piandelagotti (MO)

The Italian Route proposes to connect our peninsula and the major islands with an itinerary which winds along the ridge of the Apennines and the entire arch of the Alpine chain, for about 5,000 km which are arranged into 350 stages.
GEA, Great Apennine Excursion, since 1981 has been traveling over 400 km the Apennine ridge between Emilia - Romagna and Tuscany. The route ventures into he Apennines, here small Medieval hamlets are sill hidden, fragments of ancient testimony and centuries-old popular traditions. The "silvoso appennin" with its history, its people, its environment, is the main protagonist of the GEA, a route immersed in greenery that also crossed numerous protected areas. In 1983 the co-ordinated intervention of the Tuscan Region, the Mountain Communities and the Italian Alpine Club was decisive for the execution of the route, inaugurated afterwards by Reinhold Messner.
In spite of the difficulties and problems that still need to be resolved, the initiative received an unexpected success that has crossed the national borders so much so as to now be one of the most famous routes of Europe.
The GEA, marked by small painted red and white flags, is splendid trekking that in the Reggiano territory winds around the ridge on the southern borders of the Gigante Park. You cross thick beechwoods and extensive prairies up to the peak of the Forbici and to Bocca di Massa. Here you flank Mt Prado and you proceed along great fields of blueberries up to Lama Lite, to the foot of Mt Cusna and not far away to the Battisti and Bargetana refuges.
Continuing along the narrow ridge of Porraie, which divides the valleys of two torrents, one in Emilian territory and the other in Tuscan, you reach the Pradarena Pass, above Ligonchio, where the hotel-refuge "Carpe Diem" is found. Descending towards Cavorsella Pass, reaching the Belfiore peak and Mt La Nuda, you get close to the Cerreto Pass.

Parco Nazionale dell'appennino Tosco-emiliano

Apennines

Itinerary in detail
Departure is from the Cerreto pass (1261 m) and reaches the Ospedalaccio Pass, ancient and assiduously visited pass between Emilia and Tuscany. You then climb the slopes of Mt. Alto to then turn right towards the spectacular springs of the Secchia river. You continue along a steep climb up to the Pietra Tagliata Pass (1750 m), located between Mt alto and Alpe di Succiso: from where you enjoy a wide and charming view. You then descend to the Ghiaccioni (1375m), along the ancient Barbarossa route, reach the lake of Mt. Acuto (1576m). The area is interesting, as it is a rare example of suspended valley with annexed lake of glacial origins. Nearby there's a shelter which offers good chances of accommodation, from where you get on an easy route which descends to the dam of Paduli lake, near the Lagastrello Pass (1152m). After crossing the Enza river on the bridge at the bottom of the dam, you climb through the woods till you reach Stradello (the old via dei Linari), which from the Pass of Lagastrello leads to Lake Squincio (1241m), situated a little above. You continue climbing along the CAI route up to lakes Scuro and Verdarolo, a few minutes away from each other. You continue on the right, still at high altitudes, up to Prato Spilla (1349m), site of ski lifts and a hotel. From Prato Spilla the route continues in Parmesan territory reaching all the way to Lagdei (PR).
Time needed: 4.30 hr.
(A. Bietolini, G. Bracci - 93)