Trekking in Reggio Emilia area must include a trip to Calamone Lake, in the municipality of Ventasso Laghi, a genuine pearl of water in an area located over 1300 meters above sea level, dotted with lilies, orchids and primroses; it is dominated by Ventasso Mount and boasts beeches and conifers. It was born from glacial erosion phenomenons, and called, until the 19th century, by the name of the peak above it. The lake, for centuries, was associated with a legend for the lake was connected to the depths of the sea, a legend easily dispelled in 1762 by the biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani.
In the basin of Monte Prado, one day is worth dedicating to Bargetana Lake, a quiet highlight in an uncontaminated area surrounded by one of the most evocative view of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park over Mount Cusna. You cannot miss local dishes made of porcini mushrooms served in a variety of ways in almost all local restaurants and huts.
Just below the highest peaks of Parma Apennines there are around twenty lakes of glacial origin, the ideal destination for a one-day summer trekking experience to discover the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park and the Hundred Lakes Regional Park. From the biggest Lake "Santo" to the smallest Lake "del Bicchiere", passing to the "Lagoni" and lakes of Sillara, there are also lake "Verde", "Ballano", "Scuro" and many more.
As often happens, the trip is unique for the walk as a whole , starting from mountain huts in Prato spilla, Lagdei or Lagoni, climbing up to the Appennine ridge on the border between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, where beech trees are a prelude to the suggestive chromatic setting with woods, fields and blueberry meadows. From highest tops, you can enjoy a view that embraces the Lunigiana region, the Apuan Alps, and even the gulf of La Spezia.
On your break, you can't miss the special dishes made of porcini mushrooms.
The feet are the traditional means of transport to walk the Tidone Path, located on the hills of Piacenza. While the Po river flows away, the Tidone stream that gives name to the valley becomes the protagonist: getting to its source, you come across the Molato Dam, an impressive construction completed in 1928 that gave birth to the Trebecco Lake, an artificial reservoir stretching 2,5 km long.
You can enjoy numerous paths in the Piacenza area: very interesting are those in Nure Valley towards the verdant Black Lake - of glacial origin - and towards the small but fascinating Lakes Moo and Bino, an extraordinary work of the nature that divided it in two parts and decorates the largest one, in the summer, with wonderful yellow water lilies. A walk among these nice lakes will make you want to eat for sure: taste the PDO salami from Piacenza (coppa, bacon and salami) and other pork delicacies such as mariola, Slow Food Presidium.
