The trail of this stage starts from the Pieve di Toano and proceeds level southwest through a pine forest for about one kilometer.

Then, we descend rather steeply to the left to intercept the provincial road at Polcione. From there, we continue downhill on Via Polcione, keeping right near the houses. The gravel road, at times steep, reaches the Oratory of Prevedelli. Passing between the houses below, we quickly reach the village of Frale.

From Frale, we follow the signs on a gravel path descending towards a small stream. The trail then briefly ascends alongside a fenced property. At the top, the path descends again, crossing the paved road of Via Bonzeti. Before entering the houses of Villa Bonicelli, we take the gravel path on the left, which runs parallel to the stream, leading us to the Quara springs.

From the springs, the trail ascends towards the cliffs of Malpasso.

Continuing on the trail, we reach Ca’ di Gnano. Instead of ascending right towards Gova, we descend left towards the Dolo stream, crossing it on the ancient humpback bridge.

We have entered the territory of the province of Modena and walk “upstream” for about one kilometer alongside the Dolo, until we reach the base of the Valora landslide. The original Via Matildica path would continue straight, but the trail is often interrupted, modified, or made impassable by the landslide movements. Therefore, it is advisable to ascend the left slope following the CAI 598 path. It’s a 1-kilometer ascent with a 200-meter elevation gain leading us to the new road bridge over the Valora.

After crossing the bridge, we reach the first houses of the Romanoro hamlet in about 2 kilometers on asphalt. Following the trail markers, we turn right onto a short downhill gravel path. Upon reaching the asphalt again, we turn left towards the Romanoro church, which we reach after 1 kilometer. This is also the route for those who, near the landslide, chose not to ascend to the road bridge and continued straight.

To the left of the church, we descend a very short stretch of gravel to resume the asphalt path. It’s a small mountain road with very little vehicle traffic, quickly leading us to the Montale hamlet.

Shortly after Montale, we leave the asphalt to turn left onto a gravel road. At this turn, there’s a Via Matildica marker.

We soon reach the locality of Panigale.

Passing the last houses of the village, the path intersects a white road, which we take south, turning right.

We are on the so-called Tracciolino, the old service road for the construction of the Fontanaluccia/Gazzano dam. An enchanting path that crosses the gorges formed by the Dolo stream, reaching the dam’s barrier after 4 kilometers.

Here, crossing the dam’s service viaduct, we re-enter the province of Reggio and begin the final short ascent towards the day’s destination: Gazzano.

For those choosing to stay overnight at Fontanaluccia, near the dam, the path remains on the Modena side.