Autumn hikes: from Savignano to Castelvetro through the Modena Apennines and the Terre di Castelli

Red, yellow, brown, orange: the colourful leaves of the trees are the big protagonists of autumn. This phenomenon is called foliage and many people around the world arm themselves with a camera to capture the moment when nature changes colour. If you too love being in the midst of nature to admire the landscape and take your mind off things, these are some suggestions for an autumn trek in the Terre di Castelli.

The result is guaranteed: less stress and more oxygen to revive you.

IN THE HILLS OF SAVIGNANO

The hill of Savignano Alto is an excellent vantage point over the plain. Dominated by the ancient village, it overlooks woods and vineyards that in this season are enriched with red hues.

This is an excellent starting point to descend towards Vignola. There are several paths, and as you cross the hill and descend towards the river you will be able to appreciate the beauty of the river environment, encountering poplars and elder trees. You are almost certain to have more or less close encounters with herons and snowy egrets, hunting in the shallow waters of the river.

The road can be travelled on foot or by bicycle and is paved or gravel in places. Along the way, it is possible to appreciate the special features of the historic centres.

FROM VIGNOLA TO SPILAMBERTO: THE PANARO ‘PERCORSO NATURA’ (NATURE TRAIL)

Ideal for a family outing, the route continues along dirt and paved roads. While in spring the Panaro river valley offers the spectacle of cherry blossom, in the autumn it presents a rainbow of colours in warm shades.

Along the cycle-pedestrian path, follow the historic route of the Modena-Vignola railway, some traces of which still remain. Hawthorns, blackthorns and maples will accompany you with their scents and colours.

In Spilamberto, a stop in the historic centre with its mediaeval Tower and the Museum of the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar Consortium is recommended. A visit to Villa Fabriani, home of the Archaeological Museum, the ancient Rangoni Palace and the Rangoni Fortress is also a must.

For the more curious, October sees the staging of Mast Cot, the autumn fair dedicated to Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, which includes the ritual of cooking the must in the open air.

The walk can take up to 5 hours, while by bicycle the time is reduced to 1.30 hours.

FROM CASTELVETRO TO LEVIZZANO RANGONE THROUGH THE VINEYARDS OF GRASPAROSSA

Autumn is time for the grape harvest and grape picking. So why not take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the colours of the Lambrusco Grasparossa vineyards?

The tour starts from the centre of Castelvetro di Modena, a rare example of a preserved medieval village characterised by the presence of evocative towers and bell towers. After a visit to the permanent exhibition Fili d'oro a Palazzo in the Palazzo Rangoni, you can continue on to Levizzano Rangone through a route among hills renowned for their sparkling red wine, with which to accompany the typical local products.

In Levizzano, do not forget to visit the castle of Matildic origin that still retains the charm of its past. On the way back, we recommend a stop at the Oratory of St. Michael the Archangel, one of the oldest sacred buildings in the Modenese hills. It is located between the Guerro and Nizzola streams, positioned on the road once travelled by pilgrims.

THE TIEPIDO ‘PERCORSO NATURA’ (NATURE TRAIL) FROM CASTELNUOVO

Willows, poplars, oaks, maples, locusts, hawthorns, blackthorns and elder trees will accompany you along this flat route suitable for the whole family. Away from traffic and on gravel paths, you can choose whether to ride or prefer a regenerating walk.

From the centre of Castelnuovo Rangone it takes about half an hour to reach via Cavidole, from where you can admire the foliage of a row of oaks with 26 specimens of pedunculate oaks. From here you can lengthen the route by diverting to San Donnino and arriving at the small Church of Santa Maria del Tiepido. Of medieval origin, the façade still has a Romanesque double splay window. Restored in 1966, its interior houses the Madonna della Neve to whom the church is dedicated.

The return to Castelnuovo can continue by following the Modena-Vignola cycle/pedestrian path along the old, now disused railway line. The 23-km-long route is asphalted and crosses agricultural areas.

‘PERCORSO SOLE’ (SUN TRAIL)

Starting in Modena and along the left side of the Panaro river, the Percorso Sole continues for 34 km, passing through San Donnino, Spilamberto, Vignola and arriving in Casona di Marano sul Panaro.

The route, which can be travelled on foot or by mountain bike, takes you through a river landscape characterised by willows, poplars, alders and a great variety of shrubs. Worthy of note are the different aspects of the riverbed, marked by different phases of erosion and the walls built in different eras.

‘PERCORSO BELVEDERE’ (BELVEDERE TRAIL)

This hiking route starts from Casona di Marano and reaches Monte Belvedere (1,140 m) in Montese. It is 48 km-long, on paths, mule tracks and short stretches of dirt road. Walking or mountain-biking is recommended.

Between Casona and Castellino the route crosses the Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park, a characteristic landscape that is filled with warm colours during the autumn season. There is no lack of historical-architectural traces, such as the Roman Pieve di Trebbio, the ‘Borgo dei Sassi’ and the Village of Castellino delle Formiche.

The walk does not require any special technical or physical skills, but in some sections, appropriately marked, mountain bikes and horses follow alternative routes due to the steepness of the path.

A DAY TRAVELLING BETWEEN VIGNOLA AND MARANO SUL PANARO

For lovers of nature and autumn, we also offer a route that will take you into centuries-old oak forests. This is the route that leads from the Romanesque parish church of Vignola towards Marano along a gravel road.

Here, amidst marvellous forests in which to get lost in search of autumn colour, you will come across the LIPU (Italian League for Bird Protection) observation centre and arrive at Villa Martuzzi, at the top of the hill.

Take the asphalted road to reach the village of Campiglio, the site of human settlements as far back as the Neolithic period. The small medieval village grew around the castle and market, becoming first a fief of the Da Campiglio family and then of the Rangoni marquises.

Here a crossroads will present you with a choice: either descend towards the Panaro, crossing Tavernelle and visiting the old mill, or climb the hill towards the cypress trees of Santa Croce.

From here, it is possible to cross an area rich in panoramic views until reaching Villa Bianca and then Marano sul Panaro.

Alternatively, from the village of Campiglio you can take the Via Romea Nonantolana, a 115 km route from Nonantola to the Passo della Calanca, which can be covered entirely in 5 hours.

All routes are duly indicated by signs, tables and metal directional arrows. Once at the junction with the Percorso Sole, the fittest hikers can walk along the river as far as Casona and then continue as far as Pieve di Trebbio and Sassi di Rocca Malatina, joining the Percorso Belvedere.

SASSI PARK CYCLE PATH

If you are well trained and not afraid of a challenge, this is the route for you. Challenging due to its length and altitude difference, the route remains within the Sassi di Rocca Malatina Regional Park.

Pieve di Trebbio, Castellaro, Borgo dei Sassi and Festà are just some of the localities touched by the cycle path. From the village of Roccamalatina it is also possible to climb up to the village of Montecorone, nestled between fields and chestnut groves.

Starting from Vignola, this challenging path covers 54.2 km and can be covered preferably by mountain bike in about five hours, covering an area rich in history that becomes even more characteristic in autumn.

NOTES:

SASSI DI ROCCAMALATINA PARK

The name Roccamalatina derives from the noble Malatigni family, who ruled over part of the territory between the 12th and 14th centuries. In this location, halfway between Guiglia and Zocca, there are the Sassi, the imposing sandstone spires that dominate the valley. At Borgo dei Sassi you can visit the Park Visitor Centre.

SALSE DI OSPITALETTO

The ‘salse’ (mud volcanoes) are a phenomenon of secondary volcanism that form as a result of mud, salt water and gas escaping from the ground. At Marano sul Parano there are the ‘Salse di Ospitaletto’, in a protected area with several small cones a few centimetres high. The route is particularly suitable for mountain bikes.

SPILAMBERTO TRADITIONAL BALSAMIC MUSEUM

What distinguishes Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena from other vinegars is not only the raw material, but above all the alchemy of time and an ancient tradition. The Museum of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, set up in Villa Comunale Fabriani, guides the visitor on a journey through the complex process of preparing a product that is impossible to industrialise.