You leave from the Castle of Canossa heading toward the village of Cavandola. Here, on the right, begins the dirt road that leads to Cerredolo de’ Coppi. Upon reaching the village (where several trails intersect), the Via Matildica takes the path on the left toward the village of Bergogno.
This is a shaded stretch that passes through the Pentoma forest.
Shortly after Bergogno, just past the village sign and near a telephone pole, the Via Matildica route makes a sharp right turn, continuing on a wide dirt road. After less than a kilometer, trail markers will indicate a left turn toward the locality of Boschi, where we rejoin a paved road that will soon lead us to Crocicchio.
Here, we meet the provincial asphalt road, which we follow to the right for 300 meters. After a few hairpin turns, on the right, we find the trail that climbs and, after about 500 meters, briefly crosses the paved road again before taking a cart track that descends to the left toward Monchio. In case of bad weather, or if one prefers staying on paved roads, from Crocicchio one can continue directly to the turn for Monchio without using trails.
From Monchio (a very common place name in the Reggio Apennines), the route continues on a trail toward the Castle of Sarzano and Casina. Some minor landslides across fields may be encountered but are easily bypassed.
From the castle, there is a wide panoramic view of the entire Reggio Apennines.
Behind the castle, descend keeping to the left toward the first houses on the edge of Casina, a town where all services are available (including buses to reach Carpineti in case of difficulty, though with limited daily runs).
From the center of Casina (in front of the town hall, where there is also a water fountain), descend to the right along Via Roma. Keep to the right and take Via Ca’ Matta, staying on it until you reach the small Via Gramsci, which climbs steeply to the right (where you’ll also see an old dovecote). The route continues on asphalt and then gravel, passing next to a mobile phone tower.
This leads down to Migliara, near the parish church, from where you continue toward the junction with Via Migliara Centro. Passing under the Lunigiana Military Road, continue in the direction of Marola, first via Via Alighieri and then, keeping right, onto Via Boastra where signs indicate “Castello.”
After a kilometer and a half, near a group of houses, the Via Matildica route climbs to the left, leaving Via Boastra. This is one of the trails among the great chestnut woods of Marola. Continuing on, you’ll reach an agritourism, where the trail turns left to reach Via Canova. Then climb Via Poggio until you intersect the main road of Marola, which immediately meets the road to the seminary and its beautiful church.
From the seminary, the path descends toward Carpineti and the old route of State Road 63, which we cross at Campo dell’Oppio to take the trail that descends toward Carezza, passing along the left side of a small farm. Be aware of the possible presence of tall grass in some sections.
In Carezza, we rejoin the paved road that takes us gently downhill. The profile of the Castle of Carpineti appears ahead of us and will accompany us.
Before reaching the locality of Cigarello, turn right onto a trail that leads to the church of San Donnino, located in a quiet valley.
In front of the church, on the road, we cross the stream via a small concrete bridge (there are two bridges: one for vehicles and a pedestrian one a few meters ahead – both lead to Carpineti via the village of Riana).
Once at the outskirts of Carpineti, follow the signs to reach the town center and the small square in front of the Town Hall.
