ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO Italy - THE DUKE'S ROAD 2010
A self-guided walking holiday from Modena to the sea
The Duke's Road (also known as the Vandelli road) was built by the Duke of Modena, Francesco III d'Este, to ensure safe access to the sea through his territory. The mathematician Domenico Vandelli was asked to design a carriage route across the Apennines, which was completed in 1751. Unfortunately, as the route became overrun by bandits, and was difficult in winter, it was soon abandoned. Today, it is a magnificent walking route taking you from the historic city centre of Modena, with its wonderful Romanesque Cathedral, via the ancient forest of the Fignola; the pilgrimage sanctuary of San Pellegrino in Alpe; the Garfagnana with its medieval villages and Romanesque parish churches; the Apuan Alps and their marble quarries; and the Tyrrhenian Sea at Marina di Massa. This holiday can be taken as a 7 or 9 night option.
PRICE
(Based on two people sharing)
7 nights: £635 per person. High season price £675 (17 July-22 August)
Single supplement: £100 9 nights: £755 per person. High season price £835 (17 July-22 August)
Single supplement: £120 Extra nights - please ask.
INCLUDED
Accommodation in hotel*** and hotel** in double room with private facilities. For the 9 night version 1 night is spent in a refuge with shared facilities
Bed & Breakfast on day 1, half board (dinner, bed and breakfast) on day 2 to last day
Luggage transport, transfer by private vehicle Resceto/Marina di Massa
Transfer by private vehicle Modena/Serramazzoni (10 day only)
Detailed description of the itinerary
NOT INCLUDED
Transportation to/from the start/finish of the holiday. Lunches. Dinner on day 1. Drinks. Personal expenses and anything not specifically mentioned in the programme.
DEPARTURE DATES
9 night version on Fridays from 30 April to 8 October
7 night version on Sundays from 02 May to 10 October
Departures on other days possible for a supplement and according to accommodation availability To book email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353
Day 1: Arrival in Modena for overnight. Fascinating old centre and strong associations with Italian motor industry.
Day 2: Pavullo – La Santona
Transfer by public bus to Pavullo. Walk via Montecuccoli Castle, the fulcrum of the Frignano area's ancient system of defences, first documented in 1027, and Monzone, with its 12th century castle. Arrival and overnight at La Santona.
Height differences: +770m -300m Distance: 25 kms/15.6 miles
Approx. time: 6h 40
Day 3: La Santona – S. Annapelago
Today walk to Sasso Tignoso, a rock formation formed 80 million years ago, when this region was covered with water. The magma, which escaped from the seabed and solidified immediately, acquired its distinctive“pillow” shape. Pass by the Giovannoni chapel, with its portico topped by a single arch, and enter the Frignano Regional Park. Arrival and overnight in S. Annapelago.
Height differences: +175m -280m Distance: 18 kms/11.25 miles
Approx. time: 4h 10
Day 4: S. Annapelago - S. Pellegrino-in-Alpe
Walk with wonderful view of the valleys of the Appennines between Tuscany and Emilia. The ridge is characterized by accumulations of rocks and moraine deposits known as rock glaciers, caused by glacial erosion during the last Ice Age. The last part of the stage leads you to San Pellegrino in Alpe, a beautiful hamlet whose first mention dates back from 1110. The city states of Modena and Lucca fought for years for the possession of this hamlet, where the mummified bodies of San Pellegrino and San Bianco are preserved. Overnight in San Pellegrino in Alpe.
Height differences: +280m -250m Distance: 14 kms/8 miles
Approx. time: 4h
Day 5: S. Pellegrino in Alpe - Castelnuovo Garfagnana
The route drops down towards the valley of Castiglione. Pass the “metati” (traditional chestnut drying barns) to reach Castiglione Garfagnana, an important defensive stronghold for the Duchy of Lucca in Este territory and which stands within its XIV century walls. Pass an 18th century mill (the Mulino di Sotto), and the town of Pieve Fosciana, with its ancient Church dedicated to San Giovanni the Baptist and San Cassiano, to Castelnuovo Garfagnana, the capital of Garfagnana, in a hollow between the Apuan Alps and the Apennines and with a XIII century castle. The Renaissance writer Ludovico Ariosto lived here as Governor of the Garfagnana from 1522 to 1525.
Height differences: +0m -1300m Distance: 14 kms/8.75 miles
Approx. time: 4h 45
Day 6: Castelnuovo Garfagnana - Vagli
Continue to the Mount Alfonso fortress, built by the Duke Alfonso II of the Este family in the second half of the XVI century and then on to Vagli with its interesting church. Overnight in Vagli.
Height differences: +690m -310m Distance: 16 kms/10 miles
Approx. time: 5h 40
Day 7: Vagli - Apuan Alps – Resceto, transfer to Marina di Massa
Enter the Apuan Alps regional reserve, close to the old shepherds’ village of Campocatino. The area is famous for its marble quarries - whenever the sculptor Michelangelo received a new commission, he came here to choose the perfect block of marble for his work. Reach the town of Resceto, which exists purely because of the Via Vandelli. Transfer to Marina di Massa and the Tyrrhenian Sea for overnight.
Height differences: +1030m -1140m Distance: 13 kms/8 miles
Approx. time: 5h 40
Day 8: Breakfast and departure.
The nine night version would insert the following extra days:
Day 2: Modena - Serramazzoni – Pavullo
Transfer by public bus from Modena to Serramazzoni, a well-preservedold castle and hamlet standing on a panoramic outcrop. Continue toPavullo, and its Ducal Park, created by Duke Francesco IV d’Este in1830, with its impressive old trees, including the "pinone” ["greatpine"]. Overnight in Pavullo.
Height differences: +50m -170m Distance: 18 kms/11.25miles
Approx. time: 4h 50
Day 5: S. Annapelago - Lago Santo
LeavingS. Annapelago you reach Lago Santo (Sacred Lake), and Lago Baccio,nestling in a ridge, and surrounded by a glacial basin. Overnight atthe refuge at Lago Santo.
Height differences: +530m -80m Distance: 9 kms/5.6 miles
Approx. time: 3h 20
The 8 night version skips day 2 (Serramazzoni – Pavullo).
DIFFICULTY OF WALK
Mountain terrain, paths and white roads. Altitude: between 200 and 1,700 mt.
Beautiful city of Modena; historic route with interesting towns en route; marvellous scenery.
ACCOMMODATION
Day 1: Modena – Hotel*** - BB
Day 2: Pavullo Hotel*** - HB (Not on 7 night version)
Day 3: La Santona Hotel** - HB
Day 4: S. Anna Pelago – Hotel** - HB
Day 5: Lago Santo – Refuge – HB (Not on 7 night version)
Day 6: San Pellegrino in Alpe – Hotel** - HB
Day 7: Castelnuovo Garfagnana – Hotel*** - HB
Day 8: Vagli – Hotel** - HB
Day 9: Marina di Massa – Hotel*** - BB
LOCATION
Modena is in northern Italy in the province of Emila-Romagna.
GETTING THERE
AIR Bologna has an international airport (G.Marconi) with direct flights from London among others.
Bologna-Forli is also a possibility but is about an hour and a half's journey to Bologna by bus.
Florence Airport is also served by international flights - journey time to Bologna by train is 1 hour.
TRAINModena has a train station. Journey time from Bologna is approx. 30 minutes, from Florence approx. 1 hour 30 minutes.
WHAT TO TAKE
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with achange of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, swimming costume, 1 xwater bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sunhat, sun block/cream, compass, torch and a first-aid kit.
INSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353