Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna

Passo della Calla - Badia Prataglia - Cà di Sopra - Passo della Calla

• Trail Conditions: On foot
• Interest: Panorama, Religion, Hystory

• Departure: Campigna
• Arrival: Campigna
• Duration: 6 h + 6 h + 6,5 h
• Difficulty Level: EE - For expert hikers
• Length: 46 km (15 km + 14 km + 17 km)
• Difference in height: uphill 508 m + 696 m + 1233 m
• Public Means of Transport: Bus line 132 with departure from Forlì (Start Romagna)
• Accomodation structures: Pensione Giardino, Hotel Bosco Verde, Locanda "Carbonile" Guide del Parco, Ristorante Pizzeria La Foresta, Rifugio Escursionistico Casanova, Rifugio Cà di Sopra

Demanding ring-route for well-trained hikers, maybe it is the most complete itinerary allowing visitors to cross some of the National Park's most interesting areas from the natural point of view, as well as some sites of historic and religious significance which are unique of their kind: from the Camaldoli Hermitage, by way of the wonderful Lama Forest, up to the Ridracoli dam and the fascinating plain in S. Paolo in Alpe.

 Download the description of the ring-route 3.

First day. The route follows the itinerary 00 and provides the classic crossing from the Calla Pass, where it si possible to leave one's own car, to the Camaldoli Hermitage through the Giogana, a name which reminds us of the activity to transport the white firs' logs from the Casentinesi Forests, which was once carried out with the use of yoked oxen.
The first part of the itinerary slowly climbs the hill, runs along the Sasso Fratino Integral Reserve - the first one established in Italy in 1959 - and leads hikers to Poggio Scali, a real panoramic terrace where one can admire the eroded landscape of the Park's side overlooking Romagna from, very different compared with the mild and woody landscape of the Park's side overlooking Tuscany.
From Poggio Scali the path starts climbing down, up to the Porcarecio spring and to Scossa, then it climbs again up to Giogo Secchieta. Once reached Prato Bertone a deviation on the right on the path 68 allows visitors to reach the Camaldoli Hermitage. From the hermitage one climbs again the path 00, through the path 74, by Prato alla Penna, from where one goes on unitl one reaches the Fangacci mountain hut. At this point it is possible to follow a short deviation towards the summit of the Mount Penna, where one can enjoy the beautiful view of the Lama Forest from. Once back to Fangacci one slowly climbs down towards Badia Prataglia, walking a stretch of the path called "Sentiero Natura", and through the path 84 one reaches the village's center, where one can choose the best structure meeting one's own needs. If you choose the Casanova mountain hut we suggest you to directly take the path 72 from the locality of Capanno.

Second day. The following day one starts the slow climbing towards the Crocina pass, through the path 60 and, after Campo dell'Agio, on the path 64. Soon one meets the Buca delle Fate, one of the most significant natural caves in the Park, a place of noteworthy natural and geological interest. From the Crocina Pass one follows the high-altitude path 207 up to the Bertesca Pass, from where one starts entering the Lama Forest turning left on the path 223, which along the Fosso Forconali allows hikers to reach the Lama plain and to cross some of the most beautiful forest stretches in the National Park. Another option from Badia Prataglia is the possibility to go back to the Fangacci pass. From here it is possible to take the path 227 (and then the 229), which climbs down the steep and inaccessible trench called F.so degli Scalandrini, namely one of the Lama's three trenches. The path 227 is even more fascinating than the path 223, anyways it is suitable for expert hikers due to the presence of natural rock steps, and because of the remarkable downhill gradient. Once reached the Lama, a wonderful marshy plain of historical and natural interest surrounded by steep slopes, the walk goes on along the forestry road towards Cancellino, then it leads to the path 235 on the left, and again on the left to the path 237, which allows hikers to finally reach the Ridracoli Lake. After many ups and downs one arrives to the Cà di Sopra mountain hut, the second day's destination point.

Third day. On the third day one follows the path 239 up to the Ridracoli dam, and from here one climbs down along the service road, turning left after about 1 km on the path 233. Climbing the Rio Bacine valley through the ruins of old farms, one reaches S. Paolo in Alpe, one of the most fascinating places in the National Park, drop field of the Allies during the Italian resistance period and theater of the fights between the German troops and the partisans.
From S. Paolo the trail climbs down again along the path 255 up to the locality of Fiumari. From here one reaches the forestry road and goes on towards s. Agostino to start the slow ascent towards the departure point of this ring-route. From Villaneta one walks the path 243 up to Campigna, and from here the path 247 leads hikers to the Calla Pass.

Involved Structures: Badia Prataglia: Pensione Giardino, Bosco Verde, Locanda Carbonile, La Foresta, Casanova (first day), Cà di Sopra Mountain Hut (second day)