Ancient route of Via Vandelli
Via Vandelli is an ancient commercial and military road, built in the mid-eighteenth century, as a request of Duke Francesco III d’Este to connect Modena and Massa, due to the marriage of his son Ercole with Maria Teresa Cybo-Malaspina, heir of the Duchy of Massa. The abbot engineer, geographer and court mathematician Domenico Vandelli was then commissioned to conceive and design a new road layout that was at the forefront of the times and to personally direct the work together with the War Magistrate of the Duchy. Via Vandelli was so named in honor of its creator and builder.
Sant’Annapelago – Waterfalls Trail
In Sant’Annapelago the Rio Valdarno flows in a small glacial valley, which feeds the Perticara river. This beautiful path develops along this stream, on ancient paths of woodcutters and charcoal burners. It allows you to admire 5 beautiful waterfalls. The best time for this trek is in late spring / early summer, when there is more water.
Itinerario le cascate del Rio Valdarno
Ancient Via del Frignano from Pievepelago to Roccapelago
From the center of Pievepelago to Roccapelago: hiking itinerary.
Itinerario Pievepelago – Roccapelago
Roccapelago – Sasso Tignoso
Itinerario Roccapelago – Sasso Tignoso
Lago Santo Modenese (Pievepelago)
At the foot of Monte Giovo, il Lago Santo, with a perimeter of 1.5 kilometers and a depth of about 20 meters, is the largest in the Frignano Park and has glacial origins, like many others in the area. Fed by very cold underground springs, it is surrounded on the eastern shore by a beech forest undergoing conversion to a tall trunk, while on the other side there are a series of mountain lodges where it is possible to taste excellent local products.
Ancient Via Ducale
The road is known as the “Strada dei Duchi” or “Via Ducale” culminates with the Foce al Giovo, which marks the border between the Emilia Romagna region and the Tuscany region. In 1818 Maria Luisa di Borbone, Duchess of Lucca and Francesco IV, Duke of Modena wanted to build a great road to cross the Apennines, in order to obtain a direct connection between Modena and Lucca. Everything was born from the visionary idea of the Duchess of Lucca who wanted a way of communication with northern Italy without having to cross the territories of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany with which she did not have good relations.
For information and reservations for excursions, snowshoeing and e-bike tours:
Ski areas:
Sci di Fondo Frassinoro – Piandelagotti
