A route for experienced hikers, which begins at the hamlet of Colognola di Casazza and reaches the summit of Monte Ballerino, amidst natural wonders and an old castle.
C.A.I. trail n°: 613
Difficulty: EE – for expert hikers
Starting point: Colognola (Casazza)
Destination: Colognola
Minimum height: 430 m
Maximum height: 1,275 m
Total ascent: 845 m
Duration in hours and minutes: 5 h
Availability of water on the route: No
Approach: from the state road S.S. 42 in the municipal territory of Casazza, follow the signs for the hamlet of Colognola.
Parking: above the church of Colognola
THE ROUTE
The route begins at the hamlet of Colognola, in the municipal territory of Casazza, a small medieval village built around a well-preserved watchtower. From the 17th-century church dedicated to the Madonna del Monte Carmelo, go uphill on Via Prati Cambia and leave the road by turning left into Via Bosco Ventrino. On the right, walk up on a wide path, running into the woods. After an hour’s walk, without taking any of the branching tracks, you continue climbing steadily until you reach some very steep sections amidst rocks, with protection provided by chains. This section of the route is called Mürlansì due to the presence, in the initial section, of an impressive dry-stone retaining wall. The route continues up through steep hairpin bends, which in half an hour lead to some repeaters. Continue for about a hundred metres to the right and turn left towards the majestic Foppalupo roccolo (bird trapping installation, about 2 hours and 45 minutes from the start). Carry on along the ridge, following trail n° 613, which soon brings you to the summit of Monte Ballerino (1,275 m above sea level), from which you descend along the opposite ridge, following a track that crosses a small wood and ends near a road that continues to the left, reaching Piazzale Virgo Fidelis, and then turning to the right towards a few buildings. Soon after, leave this track by taking a left turn onto a path that crosses meadows, full of daffodils and asphodels in June. Continue along the track until you reach a fence, which you can cross at a special structure. Walking along the fence brings you further down to the Lodi roccolo, where you can see the layout of the old trapping house with large, centuries-old beech trees, positioned to hide the trapping tower. When you reach a small valley, turn left and go downhill to the road that leads to the Cascina Cerreto farmhouse. Near the hairpin bend, take the path descending on the right and in a short time you will reach the dirt road which, running across the mountain slope, reaches the Cummia meadows, from where you can return to Colognola.
Credits: Cooperativa Sociale l’Innesto Onlus and Consorzio Servizi Val Cavallina
