Section of the Alta Via dei Parchi long-distance trail over the Corno alle Scale massif (1945m), with dramatic views and diverse ecosystems from valley forests to alpine meadows and rocky peaks.
This challenging loop follows a section of the long-distance Alta Via dei Parchi over the Corno alle Scale massif, the highest peak of the Bologna Apennines at 1,945 metres, within the Parco Regionale del Corno alle Scale near Lizzano in Belvedere in Bologna province, Emilia Romagna. The circuit covers about 18 kilometres with roughly 900 metres of cumulative gain over six to seven hours, rated challenging for its length, sustained climbing, and exposed high-ridge sections rather than any roped difficulty. The usual trailhead is near the Cavone or the ski-station car parks above Lizzano in Belvedere, reached by car from Bologna in around 90 minutes with seasonal parking at the lifts; in summer the chairlift can shorten the initial climb. No permit is required. The route ascends through beech forest and the Pradaccio valley, passing the Pradaccio waterfall, before breaking above the treeline onto open meadows and the rocky summit ridge of Corno alle Scale, where the Alta Via dei Parchi runs along the watershed crest. The trail traverses diverse ecosystems in a single day, from shaded valley woodland through alpine pasture and blueberry heath to bare rock and the high panoramic ridge, with views stretching across the northern Apennines toward the Po Valley and the Tuscan peaks. Surfaces range from forest dirt and grassy path to loose scree and rocky ridge, and the upper slopes can hold late snow patches into early summer, when an ice axe may be useful on the steeper sections. The ridge is exposed to wind, sudden weather changes, and afternoon storms, with little shelter once above the treeline; the Rifugio Cavone and the summit area serve as the principal landmarks and the summit makes a sensible turn-around in marginal conditions. There are no reliable water sources on the higher ridge, so hikers should carry their own supply, and waymarking follows the CAI red-and-white blazes and the dedicated Alta Via dei Parchi markers. Because of the altitude, the exposure, and the changeable mountain climate, walkers should carry warm and windproof layers, start early to clear the ridge before afternoon storms, and treat the route as a full mountain day. The reward is one of the finest high circuits in the Emilian Apennines, combining a notable summit, a waterfall, and a stretch of one of Italy's great long-distance trails.
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Lizzano in Belvedere, Bologna province
- Best season
- July to mid-September (snow-free window)
Highlights
- Corno alle Scale summit (1945m)
- Pradaccio waterfall
- Alta Via dei Parchi panoramas
- Late snow patches in early summer
Tips for visiting
- Carry warm, windproof layers even in summer; the exposed 1,945-metre ridge is far colder and windier than the wooded valley below.
- Check conditions before setting out in early summer, when late snow patches can linger on the steeper upper slopes and an ice axe may be useful.
- Start early to clear the summit ridge before afternoon thunderstorms, which build quickly over the high Apennines in midsummer.
- In summer the chairlift above Lizzano in Belvedere can shorten the initial climb, leaving more energy for the high ridge.
- Bring all your own water, as there are no reliable sources on the upper ridge sections of the loop.
When to visit
July through September offers the most reliable conditions, with snow-free slopes and blooming high meadows. Begin at dawn for the clearest ridge views and to be off the exposed summit well before afternoon storms typically develop.
Accessibility
The loop is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible. It involves a sustained 900-metre climb on forest paths, grassy slopes, loose scree, and an exposed rocky summit ridge, with no surfaced alternative route.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the Corno alle Scale loop?
It is a challenging mountain day of about 18 kilometres with 900 metres of gain, involving sustained climbing, loose scree, and exposed high-ridge sections, though no roped scrambling on the standard route. A good level of fitness and sure footing are needed.
When is the best time to do this hike?
Summer, from around July to September, once the late snow has cleared from the upper slopes. Earlier in the season snow can linger on the steeper sections, and winter conditions make the exposed ridge hazardous.
What will I see along the route?
The loop passes the Pradaccio waterfall, climbs through beech forest and alpine meadow to the 1,945-metre summit, and follows a stretch of the Alta Via dei Parchi ridge with wide panoramas over the northern Apennines and toward Tuscany.
Can I shorten the climb using the lifts?
In summer the chairlift above Lizzano in Belvedere operates seasonally and can take hikers part way up, reducing the initial ascent before the high ridge section.