E1 in Tuscany

Route

The Tosco Emiliano / Tosco Romagnolo section of the E1 trail connects to the Ligurian section at the Foce dei Tre Confini and continues in the Umbro Marchigiano section at the Bocca Trabaria Pass, after 22 stages along a route of more than 400 km, which runs mainly along the Apennine ridge.

The Foce dei Tre Confini (A Foxe in the Ligurian language) is a pass in the Ligurian Apennines not far from Mount Gottero (1640 m a.s.l.), the highest mountain in the province of La Spezia. This pass is located on the border between three regions (Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna and Liguria) and historically constituted a triple border point between three pre-unitary states: until 1797 it was the border between the Republic of Genoa, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy of Parma; after the annexation of the short-lived Republic of Genoa to the Kingdom of Sardinia it became the border point between the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy of Parma, finally losing its function after 1860. To this day, there are still boundary marks on the pass dated 1780.

Similarly, not far from the Bocca Trabaria Pass, Path E1 passes the slopes of Poggio i Tre Termini (1171 metres above sea level), the border between the regions of Tuscany, Umbria and Marche.

As a whole, the E1 trail has many stretches in common with the 'historic' Grande Escursione Appenninica (GEA), of which some trail markers can still be found, and with the CAI 00 / Sentiero Italia trail, as well as with other routes/itineraries. In particular, in the Tosco Emiliano section, the Alta Via dei Parchi, the Cammino di San Bartolomeo, the Via degli Abati, the Via Matildica del Volto Santo and others cross and/or partly overlap. This is a historical legacy: the Apennine ridge and trans-Apennine routes have for centuries been the vessels of the sap of trade, pilgrimages, and encounters between cultures on the two sides, which often share customs and traditions; it is no coincidence that the inaugural event of the Tratto Tosco Emiliano section of the E1 Trail was christened 'The Apennines Unite'.

From a technical point of view, the first ten stages of the Tosco Emiliano section of the E1 trail are typically high mountain: almost entirely over 1500 metres in altitude, we pass 2000 metres on the summit of Monte Prado (2054 m sol), with long stretches on ridges or slopes on the edge or beyond the tree line, with some short exposed passages, which, as far as possible, can be avoided by following the 'low variants' introduced for this purpose, compared to the classic ridge trails, such as the GEA or the CAI 00 trail. We cross areas with little human activity, where the charm of the open altitude, with its views as far as the eye can see, abundantly repays any effort required. The downside is that due to the low level of human habitation, the stage points are practically obligatory and sometimes the individual stages are long and with steep uphill and downhill gradients, thus requiring good training and adequate supplies of food and water for the day.

From the tenth stage onwards, with the long descent from Lake Scaffaiolo (1785 metres above sea level) towards Pracchia (678 metres above sea level), the characteristics of the routes change completely. They become medium mountainous, with long stretches of woodland, mainly beech woods, rare passages above 1500 metres, but always wonderful panoramic views over the valleys and towards the plains, sometimes even as far as the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts. In this second part, we touch more frequently on inhabited villages, towns, historical, artistic and/or religious sites: to be mentioned are the junctions with the Gothic Line (theatre of furious battles in the Second World War) or the Sanctuary of La Verna, or the Hermitage of Camaldoli.

As mentioned, optional variants from the main route were introduced in order to avoid (mainly in the first stages) the exposed passages and to make Path E1 accessible to as many hikers as possible, while not precluding experienced hikers from walking the exposed ridges.

At the two ends of the Tuscan-Emilian section of the E1 trail, two commemorative plaques have been affixed, intended to be a 'Buon Cammino' to those who will walk it.

Practical

Medical Problems (NOT Emergency):  phone    116 117

Emergency (any): phone 112

Accomodation and Food

Passo dei Due Santi

Hotel La Gran Baita

phone1:  +39 0187 1981342; phone2:  +39 3347190672

  www.zumzeri.eu

Restaurant Hut Zum Zeri (Faggio Crociato)

  same as  La Gran Baita

Hotel La Catinella  (a Patigno - 4 km downhill direction Pontremoli)

  phone1:  +39 0187 447125;  phone2: +39 3398266704

  https://www.facebook.com/ristorantelacatinella/

Passo della Cisa

Hostel La Cisa

  Temprarily closed

Capanna TWINS (TWINS Hut – bivouac)

  phone1:  +39 334 8696728

   twin.passodellacisa@gmail.com

Lago Santo Parmense

Hut Lagdei (on the Variante to Lagdei)

  phone1:  +39 0521 889353

   info@rifugiolagdei.it ; www.rifugiolagdei.it

Hut Giovanni Mariotti (on the lakeshore ay Lago Santo Parmense -CAI Parma)

    phone1:  +39 0521 889334; phone2:  +39 349 2260668

     www.rifugiomariotti.it

Hut Sarzana (seasonal opening: each  day from June to September, WE other months; winter bivouac always open)
Two Hours walk from Paduli Dam (Passo del Lagastrello), on the fourth stretch

   phone1:  +39 339 2245117

   rifugiosarzana@gmail.com ; www.rifugiosarzana.it

Hotel – Hut  Prato Spilla (seasonal opening)  On the lower Variant T03.4

    phone1: +39 0521 890194

http://albergo-prato-spilla.emiliaromagnahotel.com/it/

Passo del Cerreto

Hotel Bar Restaurant  Passo del Cerreto

    phon 1:   +39 0585 949666; phone2:  +39 0522 898214;  phone3:  +39 0522 898146

   info@passodelcerreto.it ; www.passodelcerreto.it

Passo di Pradarena

Hotel, Restaurant, Hut Carpe Diem

      phone1:  +39 0522 160 7395;   phone2:  +39 338 1327320

     info@Hotelcarpediem.com  ;  www.Hotelcarpediem.com

Rosario Bivouac (kitchen, beds, heater, water spring) One Hour walk South from Cerreto Pass

       www.caifivizzano.it

Passo delle Radici
Hut Hotel Lunardi
          temporarily closed
Hut Battisti (on the Variant T 6.1)
  phone1:  +39 0522 897497; phone2:  +39 348 5954241
    info@rifugio-battisti.it ; www.rifugio-battisti.it
Hut La Foce
    phone1:  +39 340 2333806
    rifugiolafoce@libero.it
Hut Bargetana (on the Variant T 6.V2)
    phone1:  +39 0522 627756; phone2:   +39 328 2612737
    info@rifugiobargetana.it ;  www.rifugiobargetana.it

Hut Il Pradaccio (On the Variant T6V1 to San Pellegrino in Alpe)

      phone1:  +39 339 8719534

      pradaccio@gmail.com

Hotel Restaurant  L'Appennino (San Pellegrino in Alpe)

      phone1: +39 0583 649069 ;   phone2: +39 0583 649112

      sanpellegrino@virgilio.it

Hotel Restaurant L’Alpino (San Pellegrino in Alpe)

      phone1:   +39 0583 649068
http://www.tuttogarfagnana.it/78142_hotel_albergo_l_alpino.htm

Holiday House  B&B  La Taverna del Pellegrino (San Pellegrino in Alpe)
tempporarily closed

       phone1: +39 0583 649074;  phone2: +39 333 6892692

Lago Santo Modenese

Hut Vittoria

        phone1:  +39 0536 71509;   phone2: +39 388 7412473

         info@rifugiovittoria.it ;  www.rifugiovittoria.it

Hut Il Giovo

          phone1:   +39 0536 71556; phone2:  +39 339 1676996

          www.rifugiogiovo.it

Boscolungo (Abetone)

 NB: This well-known touristic area offers many other facilities. Some have seasonal opening. It strongly suggested to contact local Tourism Office https://www.facebook.com/abetoneproloco/

Youth Hostel Bucaneve

             phone1:  +39 0573 60117;  phone2:  +39 0585 51747; phone3:  +39 338 9666011

         bucaneve@abetone.com ;  www.Ostelloabetone.it

Pensione Noemi (loc Le Regine)

         phone1: +39 0573 60168;  phone2: +39 366 9869233
        https://www.abetone.com/hotel-abetone-noemi-23-scheda.htm
Hotel Tirolo (loc Le Regine)

         phone1: +39 0573 60334;  phone2:  +39 339 2558368

         info@Hoteltirolo.it  ;  www.Hoteltirolo.it

Lake Scaffaiolo

Hut Duca degli Abruzzi

         phone1:  +39 0534 53390 ;  phone2:  +39 347 7129414 ;   phone3:  +39 338 4884782

         rifugiolagoscaffaiolo@gmail.com  ;  www.rifugiolagoscaffaiolo.it

Pracchia

Hotel Restaurant Melini

phone1:   +39 0573 490026
          info@Hotelmelini.com ; www.Hotelmelini.com

Passo di Collina (approx Half Stretch T 11)
Casa nel Bosco, via vecchia Bolognese, Passo di Collina (PT)

       phone1:  +39 333 3839538

Baita del Termine

       phone1:  +39 3921115825

       https://www.facebook.com/baitadeltermine

Cascina di Spedaletto

Centro Visite Cascina di Spedaletto

      phone1:  +39 338 3037439 ;  phone2:  +39 3471933742

     https://www.facebook.com/cascinaspedaletto

Azienda Agriforestale Iori Massimo (Restaurant only)

       phone1:  +39 3391471473
Hut Pacini (seasonal opening) (Half-way  Stretch T12 )

          phone1:  +39 366 898 5418

      info@caiprato.it; www.caiprato.it/informazioni/Hut-luigi-pacini-al-pian-della-rasa

Montepiano

Posto Tappa GEA, via della Badia 44

      phone1:  + 39 339 1831692

Hotel Restaurant Margherita

        phone1: +39 0574 959926

       www.margheritahotel.com; hotel@margheritahotel.com

Passo della Futa

Hotel Restaurant “Passo della Futa”

         phone1:   +39 055 815255

         passodellafuta1890@gmail.com ; www.passodellafuta.com

Camping La Futa

            phone1:   + 39 328-9248746; phone2: +39 333-1148501

            info@campinglafuta.it ;  www.campinglafuta.it

Monolocale sulla Via degli Dei

         phone1:   +39 370 3454162

Passo del Giogo di Scarperia

Hotel Restaurant Il Giogo

        phone1:  +39 055 8468320: phone2:  +39 335 7495602

         rist.ilgiogo@tin.it  ; www.passodelgiogo.it

Alpine Hut Casa al Giogo

         phone1: +39 333 845 8770

         info@casaalgiogo.it ; www.casaalgiogo.it

Passo della Colla di Casaglia

Hut I Diacci (from Capanna Marcone -2,2 km before the Pass, take path  743 CAI, 35 minutes walk

  shuttle from/to the pass available

          phone1:  +393397722208;   phone2:   +39 0550763031

         https://www.rifugimugello.it/rifugio-i-diacci/;

Hut Casaglia (4,6 km from the Pass, in loc  Casaglia)

          phone1:  +39 055 667546; C:  +39 339 8740786 ; phone3: +39 055 8402810

          cinzia.marretti@virgilio.it

 Passo del Muraglione

Mimmo’s holiday house (2,8 km from the  Pass, on the Road 67 to Pontassieve)

       phone1:  +39 329 0614931

        zio.simone@libero.it;  www.mimmoholidayhouse.com

Azienda Agricola Podere I Lastri (on the path  CAI 2 from Colla dei Lastri, less than 1 km, 15 minutes walk)

        phone1:  +39 338 888 1402 ; phone2: +39 3470342080

        info@podereilastri.it  ;  www.podereilastri.it

Passo della Calla

Hut CAI Città di Forlì (on the stretch, few minutes from the pass)

         (Temporarily closed)

Chalet Burraia (on the stretch, few minutes from the pass)

         phone1:   +39 0543 980006 ;  phone2:  +39 335 6565764

         info@chaletburraia.it ; www.chaletburraia.it

Hut “La Calla”

         phone1:  +39 333 5441554

Hutcaicalla@gmail.com ; www.caistia.it/Hut-de-la-calla

Badia Prataglia

NB: This well-known touristic area offers many other facilities. Some have seasonal opening. It strongly suggested to contact local Tourism Office https://www.badiaprataglia.net/

Hotel Restaurant La Foresta

        phone1:  +39 0575 559009

        info@Hotellaforesta.eu ; www.Hotellaforesta.eu

Pensione Giardino

         phone1:  +39 0575 559016

         www.ilovecasentino.it/il-giardino-badia-prataglia.php

Chiusi della Verna

NB: This well-known touristic area offers many other facilities. Some have seasonal opening. It strongly suggested to contact local Tourism Office http://www.prolocoverna.it/

Foresteria Santuario de La Verna

        phone1:  +39 0575 5341 ;  phone2:  +39 0575 534210

       santuarioverna@gmail.com ;  www.laverna.it/accoglienza

Hotel Restaurant Bellavista

         phone1:  +39 0575 599029

         gilbertogabelli@gmail.com ; www.bellavistHotel.com

Hotel Restaurant Letizia

            phone1:  +39 0575 599020 ;   phone2:  +39 0575 599206 ; phone3: +39 334 3209082

            info@Hotel-letizia.it ; www.Hotel-letizia.it

Caprese Michelangelo

NB: This well-known touristic area offers many other facilities. Some have seasonal opening. It strongly suggested to contact local Tourism Office https://www.facebook.com/prolocomichelangelo/

Hotel Restaurant Cristallo

         phone1:  +39 0575 793839

         nicolettalombardi64.nl@gmail.com ; www.RestaurantHotelcristallo.com

Restaurant Hotel “La Buca di Michelangelo”

         phone1:  +39 0575 793921 ;  phone2:   +39 0575 793941

         info@bucadimichelangelo.it ; www.bucadimichelangelo.it

Passo di Viamaggio

Hotel Imperatore (5 km from th Pas, loc Valdazze)

         phone1:  +39 335 624 9274

         https://it-it.facebook.com/baitaimperatore/

Holiday House Cà la fonte (400 meters from the  Pass)

        phone1:  +39 339 3028614

Passo di Bocca Trabaria
Oasi San Benedetto (5 km from the Pass, loc Lamoli)
    phone1:  +39 0722 80133
    lamoli@oasisanbenedetto.it ; coloriappennino@libero.it ; WWW.oasisanbenedetto.it

Gear

The first ten stages of the E1 Tosco Emiliano trail are in a high mountain environment, with long stretches of ridge; good training, high mountain clothing (modulated according to the season) and boots are absolutely necessary; some stages are long, but there is always the possibility of an overnight stay at a facility on the route or at a reasonable distance from the stage point. On stages 11 and onwards, the route is medium mountain, but always requires training and equipment appropriate to the season.

Useful Links

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