LEFT ROMEA NONANTOLANA ROUTE

This route, which is also accessible by bike, starts from Nonantola at the Croce Arcana Pass and winds its way in 4 stages along the road used in medieval times by merchants and pilgrims, as documented in an agreement between the municipalities of Modena and Pistoia of 1225.

The route, approximately 110 km long, includes some of the main castles and religious monuments of the medieval period.

Bicicletta

Travelling time by bike:

10 Hours

STAGE 1 - Castelvetro

The first stage starts from the monumental Abbey of Nonantola, goes through Modena, with its UNESCO World Heritage Site cathedral, and reaches Castelvetro.
The first stretch of route is on secondary roads with little traffic, while approaching the centre of Modena and all along the rest of this section the route follows bike paths such as the Modena-Vignola old railway and the path along the Guerro torrent. Approaching Castelvetro the landscape is characterized by the gentle slopes of its hills and by vineyards.

STAGE 2 - Pavullo nel Frignano

The second stage, from Castelvetro to Pavullo nel Frignano, first reaches the picturesque village of Levizzano Rangone and then continues along the valley of the Guerro river where, just before Ospitaletto, we can view the characteristic and unique geological phenomenon of the "salse".
The route then goes through Ospitaletto, San Dalmazio (along the SP 21 road), and Sant'Antonio (along the SP 36) and soon after reaches the town of Pavullo nel Frignano.

STAGE 3 - Fanano

The third stage reaches Fanano.
After admiring the medieval church of San Vincenzo, in the southern outskirts of Pavullo, we continue along a scenic road leading to Gaiato, after which we take a steep twisting downhill road to the Val di Sasso bridge over the Scoltenna torrent, then climb up to the village of Rocchetta Sandri and finally, along a road affording in places beautiful views over the Apennine ridge, we reach Fanano.

STAGE 4 - Ospitale

The last stage runs along the whole length of the valley of the Ospitale torrent, leading to the historic Pass of Croce Arcana, at an altitude of 1675 m.
In the stretch from Fanano to Ospitale, for lack of alternatives with less traffic, the route follows the paved road in the valley bottom, via Ospitale. The last stretch of the route, leading to the Apennines pass, is much more impressive, with grand views over both Emilia-Romagna valleys and, from the Pass, Tuscan ones.

LEFT ROMEA NONANTOLANA ROUTE

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