Partisan Trails

16 trails through the hills, villages and mountains of the Reggio Emilia Apennines, following in the footsteps of the men and women who chose to fight for freedom during the Resistance.

After 8 September 1943, the first partisans headed into the mountains of the Reggio Emilia Apennines to organise the armed Resistance against the Nazi occupation and Italian Fascism.
For twenty difficult months, until Liberation Day on 25 April 1945, these trails were travelled by young men and women who faced hardship, fear and sacrifice while dreaming of a different future.

Today, the same paths offer a unique way to discover the area: walking through nature, crossing historic villages and encountering the traces of a past that still has something to say to us today.

The Partisan Trails are a network of 16 routes across the Reggio Emilia Apennines, each telling different stories of the Resistance. From the Sentiero della Scelta and Sentiero del Distaccamento Cervi to the Civil Resistance Trail, the Women’s Trail and the Liberation Trail, every route offers a different perspective on this important chapter of history. 

Walk through history

Walking the Partisan Trails means slowing down and allowing the landscape to become part of the story.
Woods, paths and villages intertwine with monuments, memorials and places connected to the Resistance.

It is an experience combining nature, culture and memory.
Following these trails helps visitors understand why, after 8 September 1943, so many people chose to head into the mountains and join the Resistance. 

Among the most evocative routes are the Civil Resistance Trail, which passes through historic villages that played a role in the partisan struggle, and the Women’s Trail, dedicated to the crucial role played by women in the Resistance.
Many women worked as couriers, carrying food, messages and weapons on foot or by bicycle, often putting their own lives at risk. 

16 trails, countless stories

The routes offer different levels of difficulty, from easier walks suitable for families and less experienced hikers to more demanding itineraries for experienced walkers.
Before setting out, it is advisable to check trail conditions and updates, as some sections coincide with CAI trails whose routes may change.

Maps and information for the individual routes are available through the dedicated Partisan Trails portal.
The hiking guide “Sentieri Partigiani – Un viaggio della memoria nell’Appennino reggiano”, published by Istoreco, is also available for those who want to explore the history and routes in greater depth. 

A journey through memory

The first edition of the Sentieri Partigiani initiative took place in the Reggio Emilia mountains in 1993.
Since then, Istoreco has organised annual walks along the Resistance trails, bringing people together to discover the stories of the partisans, reflect on past and present, and enjoy the natural landscapes that once sheltered those young men and women and today provide the setting for their memory.

Contacts

Istoreco
via Dante, 11 42121 Reggio Emilia
+39 0522 437327
staff@istoreco.re.it
Partisan Trails