There are many places to photograph in the Reggio Emilia Apennines. In this itinerary we propose some, the great classics, to see in a couple of days, but there are many more: from the small lakes of the ridge to gullies and waterfalls; from the castles to the views that can be seen sitting on a meadow, by chairlift, on horseback or from a Big Bench.
Our Appennines are far from the routes of mass tourism, for this reason they have a lot to offer to those who want to enjoy views and nature away from crowded places. This area has become a UNESCO Biosphere and Human Reserve, a recognition due to the great value reached in the link between man and environment in this area.
Lake Calamone is located on mount Ventasso, in the municipality of Ventasso, at 1400 m. of altitude. It is a small lake of glacial origin, really impressive, which can be reached with an easy walk, also for children, starting from the ski resort of Ventasso Laghi.
It is a true classic for those who love photography, with the small island on which there is a Madonnina, the woods and the pine forest that are reflected on the blue waters, always calm.
In each season it wears the different colors of nature, always very suggestive.
Scalucchia Pass is easy to reach by car, it takes about 15 minutes starting from Ventasso Laghi; it is located a short distance from the village of Valbona, in the direction of mount Casarola, along the panoramic road that leads to the village of Succiso.
The area still retains the wooden fences for grazing livestock and in the summer you will meet cows, horses and sheep grazing freely. The view is very beautiful: you will see all the high Secchia valley, the mountains Casarola, La Nuda, Cavalbianco, and Cusna.
It is a place where flowers in spring and beech woods in autumn are very much photographed, as well as the cows in summer, but also with the snow the place retains its beauty.
Not far away, near Valbona, there is a bench of the international circuit Big Bench Community project, the No 251 of Collagna which testifies how much this landscape is loved.
In the evening, you can stay in one of the local facilities, in the village of Collagna or returning to Ventasso Laghi.
Impossible not to visit it and not to photograph it! For those who arrive in the Reggio Emilia Apennines this place is a must. The second day of the photo tour begins with a visit to the Bismantova Stone, that can be seen from very far away and dominates the Secchia river valley, with its imposing size.
It is located near Castelnovo ne' Monti , the main centre of the area, and it’s a true symbol for the National Park of the Tuscan Emilan Apennines.
Each angle offers a photo to remember, at the foot of the rock with steep walls, or on the top from which your eyes can wander with a 360-degree look from the ridge of the Apennines to the Po Valley, and if the weather is good you can even see the Prealps.
It is possible to have lunch in one of the restaurants near Bismantova, or in the village of Castelnovo ne'Monti, before leaving for the last leg of our itinerary.
The second day ends with a visit to the Carpineti Castle, located on mount Antognano. It can be reached in about 20 minutes by car from the Bismantova Stone. The castle, although not entirely preserved, can be visited and still has many elevated structures, in addition to the church and the houses of the small village.
Visitors must leave their cars in the small car park and climb up for a couple of minutes along the ancient cobbled road to the castle, which has an important history, as the residence of Matilde of Canossa, Popes and Bishops in the years around 1100 b.C..
The view from the walls of the castle is enviable, especially climbing the keep. You can admire the Apennines, the Secchia valley and the hills of Tresinaro valley, where there are small groups of ancient houses.
Carpineti Castle is located on the Spallanzani Path, for this reason it is also a good point to start a hike in the area, discovering new landscapes.
