Leg No. 8B: Gazzano – San Pellegrino in Alpe (Alternative Route – 17.6 km)

Leaving Gazzano, this route takes you to San Pellegrino in Alpe via Fontanaluccia and Madonna di Pietravolta, on a shorter and easier route than the Reggio Emilia route.

Leg description

From Gazzano, head towards Fontanaluccia and from there to Madonna di Pietravolta. This is the historic Via Bibulca or Imperial Way. Then continue south to Roncadello and you’ll pass the Colle del Morto at an altitude of over 1,300 m.

Another couple of kilometres away are the meadows of San Geminiano, with its oratory next to the historic fountain.

From here the route mirrors that of the summer leg n. 8 with a gradual ascent to Passo delle Radici followed by a short descent to San Pellegrino in Alpe.

Useful information

Rest areas (water and food): rest and supply areas can be found at Fontanaluccia, Piandelagotti and Passo delle Radici.

Access to public transport: Fontanaluccia is connected with some public transport lines both towards Reggio Emilia and Modena. Daily services are few and far between. From Passo delle Radici you can reach Lucca by public bus.

Pharmacies: there are no pharmacies on the route or in the immediate vicinity. Therefore, bear this in mind when tackling the route.

Where stay

In San Pellegrino in Alpe it is possible to find some structures which, in addition to catering, also offer hospitality:

  • Albergo – Ristorante L’Alpino: 0583.649068
  • Albergo – ristorante L’Appennino: 0583.649069
  • Casa vacanze B&B La Taverna del Pellegrino: 0583.649074
  • Rifugio Il Pradaccio: 339.8719534
  • Rifugio Burigone: 328.9356219 o 0583.1805849 info@rifugioburigone.it

On the route of the Via Matildica, before the stage finish, at Passo delle Radici there is Albergo Ristorante Lunardi.

Other solutions can be found by continuing the stage from San Pellegrino towards Castiglione Garfagnana or deviating from the route for short stretches.

The holiday home Casa Della Palma (up to 10 people) just downstream from San Pellegrino.

What to visit

In San Pellegrino in Alpe:

  • Santuario
  • The ethnographic museum

Along the way:

  • The oratory and fountain of San Geminiano
  • Santuario Madonna di Pietravolta