An ideal destination if you like road biking, mountain biking, and downhill
For bikers, an easy itinerary to begin with runs around the slopes of Pietra di Bismàntova, the symbol of the Apennines. Leaving from Castelnovo ne' Monti, the route develops along asphalt roads for 15 km, crossing the villages of Carnola, Vologno, Maro, and Casale, to go back to Castelnovo. The total difference in height is a little bit more than 100m: accessible for everyone. A longer alternative route gives the possibility to come down from Castelnovo along the road crossing the villages of Carnola and Bondolo, in the area of the Triassic gypsum deposit, and continues along the trail Gatta-Pianello, passes by the charming Poiano source, goes back from Gatta to Castelnovo, and completes Bismàntova ring-route from SS road 63 to the village of Casale.A long itinerary, called "Between the Sky and the Earth" (145 km, with 2,210m of total difference in height) and equipped with special trail markers (for information and maps of these two first routes: IAT Office in Castelnovo ne' Monti), develops among the territories of Castelnovo ne' Monti, Ramiseto, Collagna, Ligonchio, Villa Minozzo and the Lands of Matilde (Toano and Carpineti).
The passes delimiting the Park territory represent ideal reference points for itineraries addressed to well-trained grimpeurs. For instance, from Fivizzano you can get to Licciana Nardi, climb to Lagastrello Pass, go down to Ramiseto, head for loc. Sparavalle, from here to Cerreto Pass, and again down to Fivizzano.
Or, leaving from Ligonchio, to Pradarena Pass to reach Piazza al Serchio, Carpinelli Pass, Fivizzano, Collagna, Le Vàglie, and then back to Ligonchio.
The roads to Cerreto, Pradarena, and Lagastrello Passes are roads along which you can better enjoy the ridge, glancing at both the two slopes, the slope of Emilia and the slope of Tuscany.
There is even a greater choice if you love "wide tire" bikes: the mountain bike is one of the family here. Among the many possible itineraries: the itinerary between Sassalbo - housing the Park Offices - and the village of Camporàghena in the Municipality of Comano, or Cusna ring-route, with departure and arrival in Febbio di Villa Minozzo (54 km, about 6.5 hours) across Pianvallese, the mountain huts «Battisti» and «Bargetana», the Mountains Cusna and Prado. This route has also alternative itineraries leading to Ligonchio, Pradarena Pass, and Abetina Reale.
If you love downhill mountain biking, in Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park you will find equipped chairlifts in Prato Spilla and Cerreto Laghi, in July and August.
