Natural Parks in Emilia romagna

Hidden villages, lush nature, famous seaside resorts, great food... Emilia Romagna is an archetypal region for slow tourism made of long walks and cycling excursions.

Here are some tips to organize your active holiday in this area, tailored to your needs.

THE TRAIL OF THE PARKS

Hikers are sure to love the path called “Alta Via dei Parchi” or “The Trail of the Parks”: 500 km divided into 27 stages that wind their way through two national parks, five regional parks, and one interregional one, although, of course, you can also travel only some parts of the “Alta Via”.

The scenario is that of the Apennines between Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and Marche, an area that features wild nature, breathtaking views, and historical ruins and that takes visitors through mountains, lakes, high-altitude valleys, gypsum and volcanic cliffs...

The route starts from Berceto, famous for the Cathedral of San Moderanno, the old church that was part of a Langobardic monastery dating back to 719 AD and whose current Romanesque façade was rebuilt in 1845. Final destination is Bascio, a small village dominated by a thousand-year-old tower.

When is the best time to enjoy this adventure? From mid-spring to mid-autumn.

DISCOVERING THE FORESTE CASENTINESI NATIONAL PARK

And what about cyclists? The Foreste Casentinesi National Park, which stretches between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, offers a great opportunity for an active holiday.

Indeed, a tour here can include riding a mountain bike from the highest peaks of the Park, Mounts Falterona (1,654 m) and Falco (1,658 m) up to the spring that gives birth to the River Arno, all through a short off-road ring-route (10 km) that starts from and ends in Fonte del Borbotto.

Among the points of greatest interest of the path – which leads to the spring from which the River Arno originates, all the way to “Capo d’Arno” – is Mount Falterona: it is here, on the slopes of the second highest peak of the Apennines between Tuscany and Romagna, that the river is born.

Its peak crosses the border between the province of Florence and that of Arezzo, and the mountain features an arenaceous structure covered by beech woods: cycling here on Fat Bikes is truly a unique emotion.

TRAIL RUNNING: A ROUTE THROUGH THE PARKS OF EMILIA

Finally, an unusual way to discover the parks of Emilia Romagna is... at a run! Indeed, you can also practice trail running on the paths that wind through the Emilian Apennines, a kind of running – increasingly popular in Italy – that sees those practising this sport leaving the road in favour of paths that allow glimpses of breathtaking views.