Trekking and Cycling routes in Vezzano

This is a tourist promotion project of the Albinea Municipality, in cooperation with Viano and Vezzano sul Crostolo municipalities, and sponsored by the precious contribution of Destinazione Turistica Emilia.

Download the map in PDF

You can find the paper map in selected businesses, accommodation facilities, in touristic offices and Communal desks.

Introduction

Vezzano sul Crostolo was founded at the merging point between the Campola Stream into the Crostolo River, on the National Road no. 63, connecting Reggio Emilia and the Po Plain to La Spezia, on the Ligurian Sea. The villages around Vezzano are: La Vecchia, Montalto, Paderna, and Pecorile. In the Roman Era there were many rural Domus, while during the Middle Ages, this place was transformed into a defensive stronghold and controlling point for any connection between the Apennines and the Plain. The castles in Paderna, Montalto, and Monte del Gesso were property of the Canossa family until 1420, with the annexation to the Estense Duchy. 

In the surrounding villages we can see fine examples of "casa-torre" (tower houses), from the 15th century. The local economy was historically linked to the presence of limestone underground. The peculiarity of the soils and the microclimate let endemic plants thrive, such as wild asparagus and Scotch Pines. This area is particularly beloved by cyclists and trekkers.

LANDMARKS

• (H6) Monte del Gesso Castle (ruins) and Madonnina
• (F5) Paderna Castle (ruins)
• (E7) Montalto Castle (ruins) and adjacent Church
• (I6-I7) San Martino Church and San Michele Arcangelo Church, of St. Michael and St. Lawrence, with only the bell tower remaining.
• (G4) Chiesa di Casola Canossa Church, dedicated to Sant'Eufemia
  In 1082, the Bishop of Lucca and minister for the Reggio Emilia Episcopate, named Anselmo, donated a chapel entitled to Sant'Eufemia to the Canossa Monastery, as remembered into the Pope Hadrian's bull in 1157 and Pope Alexander III in 1178. In 1447 the chapel was extended and in 1675 was transformed into its actual state. Inside the church we can notice the remainings of a rectory and a rural complex of 15-16th century.
• (E7) Vindè - medieval village
  The original structures are from the Middle Ages, as we can see from a defensive structure, whose walls are more than a meter wide. This complex is formed by a single structure, with justapoxed elements, with a cottage on the northern side and a house on the southern side. On the eastern side we can notice a window with a sandstone lintel with a triangular form. We can see then the fine well-tank of medieval origin, with a pointed stone structure.
• (D8) Riolo - medieval village
• (F6) Mary's Immaculate Heart Church - doors, Via Crucis, tabernacle, windows and baptistery made by R. Valcavi
• (E7) Casaratta - Majesty figure dedicated to the Virgin Mary
• (E6) Ca’ Lolli - village with a tower and oratory of the 17th century
• (E6) Ca’ Caprari - village with a tower-house
• (E6) Possione - village with a tower and a dovecote from the 17th century
• (D6 - E6) Cuccagna - rural village
• (G5) Melano - rural village
• (G5) Signano - village with an oratory
• (G5) Travaglioli - tower-house with balconies and brick decorations of the 15th century
• (I7) Boni Mill
• (E6) Memorial Monument of the Bettola Massacre: 
  This monument remembers one of the most cruel massacres perpetrated by the nazi-fascists in Italy. On June 23rd, 1944, while attempting to blow the SS63 bridge in the village of La Bettola, the partisans had a clash against the German Feldgendarmerie soldiers, with 2 soldiers and 3 partisans killed. That same night, a group of German soldiers retaliated on the civil population, killing 32 people. The victims are remembered on a gravestone placed in the Vezzano Townhall and from a monumental complex in La Bettola inaugurated in 1985, with addings in 2004 and 2014.
• (I7 - L7) Via Martelli Milestone
• (I7) Fallen Soldiers Monument of the 1st and 2nd World War
• (D7) Villa di Mezzo - ancient noble villa of the 18th century
• (D7) Villa di Sopra - rural village with separated structures (14th century)
• (I6) Sedrio - Noble (private) villa with angular towers and arched porch
• (G6) Vezzano Pine wood (Pinetina): 
  The Pinetina stretches from Mount Grafagnana to the Crostolo river, with a total area of 55 hectars. It is located into the first hills of the province, and it has a mixed wood of Black Pine and typical oak trees, with grasslands and prairies. The exceptional variety of ecosystems within the natural area has permitted the development of a coexistence of many species, both in fauna and flora.
• (D6) SIC-ZSC Monte Duro and Scotch Pine wood in Monte Gesso. Panoramic point.
  Hovering on the town of Vezzano, Monte Gesso (391 mt) is a mountain made by Messinian Chalks with a scenic view on the Pianura and the Apennines. In 1980, some archaeologists found remainings of a prehistoric settlement. There was also the Gesso Castle, with few relics nowadays, where some writings attributed this castle to the Canossa Family and Emperor Frederick I, dated 1185.
• (D7) Cavazzone - 15th century complex with defensive tower

Routes and itineraries

Vezzano - Pecorile Ringroad

Starting point: Pinetina parking area
Activities: trekking, cycling
Estimated time: Route 1 (4/1) 2h30 – Route 2 (4/2) 3h

Take trail no. 644, and after some meters we will be in the centre of Pinetina, where we can spot some majestic peacocks with their colourful feathers. From this point we continue on trail 644 unitl exiting the wood, descending then in a small creek and subsequently going up on the climb on the right, where we can admire some scenic views of the Crostolo and Campola valleys, as well as all the panorama of the Vezzano hills, eye-reaching the Apennines Peaks. Following the 644 trail, we will cross the villages of Pederniano, Travaglioli, Signano, reaching Pecorile. Here we can choose between Route 1 and Route 2: the former one closes the ringroad towards north-east, crossing again Pecorile, until the peak of Mount Grafagnana, returning on trail 646. The latter allows us to continue our trek on trail 644 towards south-west, visiting the village of Casola Canossa, making a small ring around Pecorile, where we connect with the other trails going to Mount Grafagnana and/or back to Pinetina.

Torrente Crostolo Trail

Starting point: sports area in Via Tintoria
Activities: trekking, cycling
Estimated time: Route 1 (5/1) 1h30 – Route 2 (5/2) 3h

Route 1. Take the Matilde Cycling path towards north and cross the bridge on the Crostolo river onto Via Togliatti. Here, continuing on trail 646B, cross the neighborhood of Sant'Antonio and the village of Casone. Shortly before the stream Vendina, follow trail 646B flanking the Crostolo river and return into the Sant'Antonio neighborhood. 

Route 2. Take the Matilde Cycling path towards south-west, passing through La Fornace and La Rocca hamlets. After having crossed the bridge on the Crostolo river and SS63, take the trail no. 644 and, shortly after, a small segment of trail 646, connecting with trail 646B, reaching the peak of Monte del Gesso. From here, where there was a castle (now a statue of the Virgin Mary), it is possible to admire a vast panorma of the Crostolo Valley. In order to going back to the starting point, take trail 644 towards north-east, continue on Via al Castello and Via Ruffilli. Cross the SS63 and take the Matilde Cycling path until the sports area.

Monte Duro Trail

Starting point: La Bettola, via Caduti della Bettola
Activities: trekking
Estimated time: 4-5 hours

Take trail no. 622 and enter the ZSC Area of Monte Duro. Reach Possione village and then continue on trails 622-622A towards Ca' Casino. Here we can notice among the contact points between clays and rocks, small water springs transforming in small streams. Climbing on the side of the mountain, our point of view can admire some dramatic sceneries of the valley, eye-reaching Canossa. We then aim to reach the peak of Monte Duro, passing through a Scotch Pines area, the scenic location of Muro del Diavolo (Wall of the Devil, the name is due to the peculiar rock formations). We then arrive on the peak of Monte Duro, whose impressive forest coverage has a great natural interest, and where we can observe the typical mudstone formations. In order to get back to the starting point, take the trail no. 622 towards north-west, crossing the Fosso della Possessione (Possession Creek), a wide and deep creek on the north side of the mountain. If you would like to shorten the trail, we can avoid the first segment from La Bettola to Possione, reaching by car the location of Ca' di Rosino.

experiences

• in the Monte Duro forest we can have "forest therapy", thanks to the precious pine essences and the high biodiversity of the area. The benefits of the forest therapy are internationally recognised with important studies and researches of the Scientific Committee of the Italian Alpine Club and Italian National Research Center. Contacts: Club Alpino Italiano - info@caireggioemilia.it; Azienda Agricola Ca' di Casino tel. 338 3736807 email bigliardi.v@gmail.com; FB Terapiaforestalemonteduro

• From March 1st to May 31st it is possible to pick and harvest wild asparagus on the territory of Vezzano. This is possible in selected areas, and always strictly regulated from the Communal Rulebook. It is compulsory for all to have regular pass, available in the communal offices or local shops. Contacts: Vezzano sul Crostolo Municipality - 0522 601911 www.comune.vezzano-sul-crostolo.re.it

• "Vezzano your valley!" (Vezzano la tua valle!) is a trekking program for all people interested and easy to do, discovering landscapes with experts of trekking and local history. These treks are organised by the local Administration, and are usually carried out from April to October. Contacts: Vezzano sul Crsotolo Municipality -  0522 601911 www.comune.vezzano-sul-crostolo.re.it

This project was created in cooperation with AITR, Pro Loco Albinea, Associazione Amici del Cea di Albinea, Gruppo Archeologico Albinetano Paolo Magnani, Gruppo Speleologico Paleantologico Gaetano Chierici, Associazione Teranga unde the patronage of Parchi Emilia Centrale and Club Alpino Italiano sezione di Reggio Emilia.