Spallanzani Path - 3rd stage from Regnano to Giandeto

The higher part of the path has difficult stretches in winter, with snow and ice. We advise it be done in summer, for the fresh climate and for the variety and intensity of colors in autumn and spring.

On foot

The Spallanzani path, dedicated to the scientist Lazzaro Spallanzani, passes through all the vegetation strips of the Reggiano Apennines (hills, mountains and peaks), from Scandiano up to S. Pellegrino in Alpe, on the Reggiano ridge.
The path, besides being marked by white and red CAI signs also has a butterfly symbol and the initials SSP.
The path does not have particular technical difficulties, it can also be used by inexperienced excursionists and is quite suitable for horse trekking.
The path is 115 km long, is usually traveled in stages an, usually 7, for a total of 35 hours walking time.

Matildic Area

Apennines

Itinerary in detail Time needed: 5 hrs
Difference in altitude climbing: 630 m
Difference in altitude descending: 430 m From Regnano you take the small paved road which climbs towards Mt. Alfonso, whereupon you descend along a steep carriage-way among fields with nice views of the underlying valley. Be careful with your orientation: the important thing is to keep heading south. Reaching the paved road, it will lead you to Riolo (1 hour), another interesting small hamlet, take, heading south a carriage-way which turning sharply on the right, starts to climb the valley of the Rio Cesolla, in this stretch naturalistic oasis cared for by the Pro Nature Association. Above you notice the abandoned hamlet of Cavazzone, a rare example of court settlement dating back in its current form to the XVII - XIX centuries, characterized by a long portico under which the main mule-track transited.
The carriage-way ventures into the small valley, at this point narrow and bushy, passing the Rio Cesolla where environmental works are being done on a methane duct. On the right side you climb up into mixed woods with an unusual wealth of arboreal essences, amongst which Scotch Pine stands out and in small groups colonizes the most exposed areas. You go from 400m of the Rio to over 600m and then descend again, first along the route and then along a gravel road where numerous ugly holiday homes have been recently constructed.
You continue descending, turning right till you reach Prediera, a town where there's a bar and food store (1 hour; 2 hours).
From Prediera you take the paved road towards Casina and stay on it for 500m and then turn left to reach Cà Maseroli. Here a carriage-way starts that you need to leave though after just a little stretch to get on a not very visible path (be careful!) which loses itself in a meadow to be crossed going downhill staying under an area covered by vegetation, until you reach a field where you get back on the carriage-way. You take it towards the right, you pass the semi-abandoned village of Sorriva (fountain), the route now continues in the woods, where in spring you can see beautiful examples of orchids (Orchis purpurea). You then shortly reach the Mulino del Tasso lake, a place for trout fishing (1hour: 3hours). Near the lake there's a restaurant - bar. A nice trail climbs from the back of the bar to Monte Delle Ripe to then descend along a steep path to a small creek. Having forded it you reach Matfioli, characteristic group of fortified houses. From here a carriage-way through fields, which at first is not very visible, leads to Giandeto (1 hour: 4,30 hours), where the second stage ends. You can sleep at Giandeto in tents or a few meters further south in the hotels of Casina