Located in the province of Parma, on the border between Liguria and Tuscany, Valtaro is a fascinating land capable of offering a unique mix of natural beauty and gastronomic specialties.
One of the best ways to get to know this area better is certainly by riding a motorcycle, starting from the picturesque town of Borgo Val di Taro, the capital of the porcini mushroom IGP.
This area is a land to be explored "at a slow pace", immersed in the colors of nature and the scents of the menus of local restaurants, to discover a corner of the Apennines that offers the best of itself in autumn.
Borgotaro is the ideal starting point for your motorcycle trip. From here, you can head to the heart of the Apennine Mountains and enjoy the winding curves of the roads that crisscross the mountain landscape.
Before leaving, we suggest a walk in the elegant historic center among noble palaces and monuments and taste the àmor, a typical dessert of the area, consisting of two wafer wafers that enclose a very delicate cream.
Also worth visiting is the Borgotaro Mushroom Museum.
From Borgotaro, after 13 km is located Compiano, a charming medieval village surrounded by walls and dominated by the great Castle.
Explore its well-preserved castle: from the panoramic terrace there is a beautiful view of the valley. Before leaving, enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants, where you can savor traditional Parmesan dishes.
Just 5 km from Compiano is Bedonia, a colorful town with glimpses and narrow streets ideal for a pleasant walk.
Among places to visit, the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Marco, a devotional reference point for the mountain populations and a pilgrimage destination, which today houses numerous museums open by reservation, including the Mons. Ferrari Museum of Natural History, the Parmigiani Art Gallery, the Archaeological Museum and the Planetarium.
Starting again from Bedonia and going up in altitude, you reach the village of Tarsogno, within the municipality of Tornolo. It is a small mountain village that winds along the ridge, a point of passage for many motorcyclists in the direction of the Centocroci Pass.
In this area there are certainly the sources of pure water of the Fonte Tarsogno and the Museum of the Emigrant, open by reservation, which traces the mass migration phenomenon that affected the populations of this area, and of most of Italy, between 1700 and 1900.
When you arrive at Passo Centocroci the view opens up to Liguria. From thsi pint you can turn left in the direction of Passo della Cappelletta and continue until you reach the long expanse of wind turbines that characterizes this area.
After exploring this magical corner between Emilia and Liguria, direct your motorbike back to the valley passing through Groppo / Boschetto and Albareto, until you reach Borgotaro again.
Once back in the city, you will have the opportunity to experience the delicious Parmesan cuisine again. Don't miss the porcini mushroom dishes, local specialties that reflect the region's rich culinary tradition.
