One of the routes mapped on the site is the Alta Via delle Sorgenti, which offers more than 50 km of cycling in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, joining eight passes above 1,200 meters.
A beautiful loop composed of forest roads and trails, with clearly legible signage and several variants that allow even families with children to follow various routes.
You can start from different points in the Ventasso Municipality to pedal in the upper valley of the Secchia River and its tributaries, perhaps from the tourist resort of Cerreto Laghi, among the most important in the Apennines for winter skiing, a crossroads between Emilia, Liguria and Tuscany, where there is a well-equipped e-bike rental and a guided hiking service.
It rises within a system of small lakes formed by the melting of ancient glaciers.
In addition to Lake Cerretano, there are Lakes Scuro, Le Gore and Pranda.
The latter is a nice stop on the tour, which can then continue by exploring the wild Riarbero Valley, and continue by reaching the Pradarena Pass, the highest point of the route at an elevation of 1,600 meters.
This is a land that offers wonderful landscapes and ancient villages to the eyes and immortal flavors to the palate, such as Parmigiano Reggiano DOP mountain cheese, Pecorino dell'Appennino Reggiano, Trota Fario and Pancetta Canusiana (Traditional Agri-food Products).
Taste stops are ideal for trying dishes based on chestnuts and castagnaccio, or Ventasso saffron and woodland delicacies such as porcini mushrooms, not to mention the typical mountain erbazzone with rice.
To get around better, there is, in addition to the map, the Sentieri Appennino (Apennine Trails) app available to download to your smartphone, to plan a hike in stages, depending on your preparedness.
It is worth stopping in the historic villages of Cerreto Alpi and Vallisnera.
