from Castiglione dei Pepoli to Vernio

km: 20
Difference in altitude +/-: +800 m/ - 1250 m
Time: 7 h

Starting from Piazza della Libertà in Castiglione dei Pepoli (where you can admire the Clock Tower), first take via San Lorenzo, then via Saliciata and finally via Manfredi. This will take you to the intersection with via Dall’Olio from which you can take the CAI 035 path. This will take you to the top of Monte Bagucci, continuing to a forest road that leads to the Abetaia and the Ranuzzi Refuge.
The Ranuzzi Refuge called "Abetaia" is a suggestive place to rest or sleep, to live the suggestive experience of the refuge.
From here you will have to change path, walking along the CAI 037 for Bagucci-Rasora-Spinareccia. You will reach Bagucci after a steep slope along the borders of the Regional Park of the Lakes of Suviana and Brasimone.
Interesting facts:
We are in the lands of the Parco dei Laghi, a green and blue area of ​​woods and waters and almost 4 thousand hectares, rich in magical landscapes and perfect for a dedicated exploration, for those looking for direct contact with nature. Sharpen your eyesight: here you will find suggestive beech forests and high peaks and you will be able to spot roe deer, fallow deer, wild boars but above all deer which are the most representative animal here!
The two large basins of Suviana and Brasimone, built at the beginning of the 20th century for hydroelectric purposes, offer lovers of the outdoors the opportunity to spend refreshing days on the lake shore.

You will then have to cross a wooden bridge over the Rio Secco, continuing on a mule track that will lead you to Rasora, a small, typically mountain village.
Interesting facts:
Rasora is a real journey through time! Traditions and ancient gestures come to life among its narrow streets. Think that here, we find the small library of the Apennines, a point of exchange and reading of volumes perched in the mountains. We also find preserved and handed down productions, such as the cultivation of the Red Corn of Rasora, which is attracting the curiosity of scholars and the creativity of chefs and cooks!

Once you reach the central square (where you can observe the Oratory and the Casa del Popolo) continue towards the ruins of the Mulino della Sorgiva and cross the wooden bridge over the Rio Fobbio, until you reach the dirt road that leads to Spinareccia. Here you will have to continue in the same direction, climbing path 015 towards Storaia and then continuing on CAI 027 towards the Fondovalle Setta. Once we reach Storaia (former border area between the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Papal State) we cross the bridge over the river and leave path 027 that goes up to Tavianella, we turn right to follow the right bank of the Setta river on a path with some short, steep sections until we reach Montepiano, a splendid town rich in history and famous for its villas.
Interesting facts:
In Montepiano we find the beautiful Badia di Santa Maria, a religious complex of church and monastery that has its roots in the 11th century, when it was entrusted to the Vallombrosan monks and, despite the vicissitudes of the centuries, still retains its original Romanesque forms. Observe the sandstone ashlar façade and you will notice a frieze decorated with flying arches, the architrave and the lunette of the portal with bas-reliefs in an archaic style. Inside we find a treasure trove of frescoes, which range in time from the 13th to the 18th century. Some important finds from the abbey are now preserved at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Prato.

Go past the crossroads that lead to the Badia di Santa Maria on one side and to the Parish Church on the other. Here you will have to turn onto Via Monsignor Risaliti then, after skirting the cemetery and a car park, continue towards Passo della Crocetta (ignore the crossroads for Path 00). From here, among chestnut trees, firs and beech trees, continue walking until you reach the farmhouse “Casa Portellese” and the crossroads for CAI path 58. At this point, keep right until you reach Butia, then Gorandaccio (here you will find the Rocca dei Bardi) and finally San Quirico di Vernio. Reach the main square (where you will find the old Town Hall, a chapel and a “permanent exhibition” themed around the Gothic Line). and so the end of the stage, at the Circolo Arci Stella Rossa.

Variant: Once you reach the crossroads with the CAI 58 path, you can reach Vernio via route 00 towards the Passo della Crocetta and Poggio Torricella, where there is a monument in memory of the battle that took place here in 1944.