The Sassi Park Cycle Path, a day cycling in nature

Riding along the Sassi Park Cycle Path

The Sassi Park Cycle Path runs through the homonymous protected area of Roccamalatina covering 50 km with varied routes, stops of natural and cultural interest, and different altitude profiles.

Accompanying us on a comprehensive overview of the cycle path are Claudia Piacentini and Giovanni Savini, respectively the sustainability education contact person and technical instructor for the Central Emilia Parks and Biodiversity Management Authority.

One cycle path, several levels of difficulty

The Sassi Park Cycle Path offers an outdoor activity that can be adapted to the characteristics of each cyclist.

As it is structured into routes of varying lengths and with different levels of difficulty, the Sassi Park cycle path is ideal for the experienced cycle-tourist, but is also suitable for those wishing to visit the park in short, low-altitude sections.

It is, in fact, the altitude profiles that determine the difficulty of the routes. «The complete route can be covered in a full day. It is suitable for the experienced cycle-tourist because it is characterised by a difference in altitude ranging from 174 m at the Casona bridge to 614 m at Casa Pina, which is reflected in both the ascent and descent.» explained Giovanni Savini.

There is only one route suitable for families - at a low level of difficulty because it is almost flat - and that is the Sole-Natura (Sun-Nature) route that runs alongside the Panaro river.

The complete route in stages

The exploration of the park by bike starts in Vignola and leads to the park via the Panaro Valley Nature Trail.

Passing along Strada Casona, at junction 307 you climb in hairpin bends to Pieve di Trebbio and then on to Castellaro and Borgo dei Sassi. Here you can walk up to Sasso della Croce and then return to the Castellaro junction and continue on asphalt towards Roccamalatina. At this point you can proceed, still uphill, towards Montecorone or alternatively detour through the Mulino della Riva valley and directly reach Castellino delle Formiche.

From here, passing through Sant'Apollonia, we descend towards the junction at altitude 307 and return to Vignola.

Points of interest between nature and culture

The park's cycle path, gravitating around the Sassi, allows us to admire their botanical and faunal peculiarities, Claudia Piacentini confirms. 
Specifically, the cycle path incorporates the walking route to the highest boulder, the Sasso della Croce, and offers a panoramic view of all the emerging sandstone spires, particularly the Sasso di Sant'Andrea.
Along the way, the cycle-tourist can also appreciate points of cultural interest. Among the most relevant are the Pieve di Trebbio and the medieval village of Montecorone. Not to be missed.

Useful equipment

According to Giovanni Savini, the Sassi Park cycle path is practicable without any special equipment other than the basic equipment recommended for a bike tour: helmet, appropriate clothing and water bottle. The routes and stages are well signposted in the park, but those who wish to can upload the track to their GPS device or be guided via the Emilia-Romagna Region's 'Maps4you' app. All useful download links are available on the Region's website.

The regional 'Park Cycle Paths' project

The Sassi Park cycle path is one of the ten cycle paths of the "Park Cycle Paths" project.

"The regional 'Park Cycle Paths' project envisaged the creation of a cycle path that would allow the possibility of arriving in a protected area using train-bike intermodality, in a sustainable way therefore" Claudia Piacentini said. A route was, therefore, devised, which starts from the Vignola railway station and leads to the Sassi di Roccamalatina Park.

Involving the main provinces of Emilia Romagna, from Piacenza to Romagna, the route divided into stages provides a fairly complete overview of the many aspects of the cycling network for tourists.
All that’s left to do is hop on the bike and let yourself be captivated by the charm of the protected territories.