Leg No. 4B: Reggio Emilia – Montalto (Alternative Route – 21.7 km)

From the southern part of the city of Reggio Emilia, in the San Pellegrino district, cross the Crostolo bridge over the stream and then turn left onto the cycle/pedestrian path that climbs southwards alongside the stream.

Continue along this easy route, passing the villages of Rivalta (with the palace, in Italian called Reggia, and its park) and Villa d’Este – Vasca di Corbelli.

You’ll then pass Puianello, a hamlet in the Matildic municipality of Quattro Castella, to arrive after a few kilometres at Vezzano sul Crostolo.

Walk alongside the entire village until you reach the EcoPark, where you’ll cross the Crostolo stream twice within a few hundred metres. The first time on a wooden bridge, the second on a concrete bridge.

At this point, you’ll have to cross State Road 63 (Statale 63) near the large parking area of the EcoPark, paying close attention to vehicular traffic.

So far the route coincides with leg no. 4 of the Via Matildica, which leads from Reggio Emilia to the Castle of Canossa.

Now, instead of taking the path that goes towards Monte Grafagnana, cross the EcoPark, enjoying the shade of the trees, and shortly afterwards you’ll reach the locality of Casoletta. From here, take the old paved stretch of State Road 63 (Statale 63) until you come to the hamlet of La Vecchia, where you can cross back over the Crostolo stream, taking care on the state road (Statale 63) and then over another bridge.

PrContinuing on, gradually climb towards La Vecchia and the local cemetery area, where you can take Via Ca de’ Cesari on the left to continue through Case Caprari and Scarzola, until you reach Montalto-Casaratta, the final destination of this leg.