14. ALPE DI MONGHIDORO - LE SELVE
Alpe di Monghidoro (1200 m)
Le Selve (490 m)
GRADIENT: +830 m / -1370 m
HIKING TIME: 8 hours
This long stage leads to the hills of Romagna, crossing remarkably different environments.
From the end of the previous stage one goes back on the road that connects Castel dell’Alpi with the Futa state road. Continuing to rise in the beech forest one skirts the slopes of Mount Oggioli and hen descends o Raticosa Pass, along he ancient road between Bologna and Florence that we now see in its nineteenth-century form.
From the pass one reaches the above Mount Canda, a good scenic vantage point over the entire Firenzuola basin and the impressive clay landscape towards which we are heading.
The route now keeps on the wide ridge between the valleys of the Idice stream and the Santerno river, dotted with juniper trees and rocky boulders among which, down below, is he conspicuous dark ophiolitic monolith of Sasso di San Zenobi. One then enters the valley of the Sillaro Stream, dominated on the left side by the Casoni di Romagna wind farm whereas, on he right side, the valley is dominated by the steepest sandstones of Mount la Fine. One ascends through the woods, until reaching the pillar on top (993 m).
After a comfortable stretch on the ridge one descends towards the valley of the Santerno, reaching the Pratolungo. From here the hiker goes to the church of Montefune, where the road becomes practicable for wheeled vehicles. Following it downward, passing through the beautiful chestnut woods of Rio Magnola, one quickly arrives at the junction leading to Le Selve campsite-hostel.
Stage Locations and Services
Complesso turistico le Selve: Info
Albergo Gallo: Info
Interactive cartography
Map
