Cerreto Alpi: Village History and Routes to the Lakes
Accommodation in Cerreto Alpi
History in the Village Landscape
Cerreto Alpi combines historical traces with routes through forest and mountain landscapes. The settlement developed along the ancient Via Lunigiana. In the historic center, a 17th-century tavern forms part of the village landscape; an inscription set into the masonry identifies the building. The Church of San Giovanni Battista also reaches far back in history: it dates from the 12th century.
File:Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista - Cerreto Alpi, Ventasso, Reggio Emilia, Italia - 24 Luglio 2022 01.jpg
Photo: Giorgio Galeotti via Source, CC BY 4.0
From the Mill to the Visitor Center
A particularly tangible testimony to local history is the restored Mulino di Cerreto Alpi. The two-storey stone building has three horizontally arranged wheels, each of which drives a pair of millstones. The mill is currently used as a visitor center for the national park.
Literary Traces and Village Paths
Cerreto Alpi is associated with the writer Silvio D’Arzo, whose real name was Ezio Comparoni. In 2011, small plaques dedicated to D’Arzo were installed on the village houses. In 2024, the village square was also named after Silvio D’Arzo. Those interested in local history and literature will therefore find several specific points of reference in the village.
Hiking with Different Trail Characteristics
The Blue Trail follows path 649E through the Morale forest along the right bank of the Canale Cerretano to Cerreto Alpi. For a longer tour, the “Cerreto Alpi e i Laghi” hike is available: it starts and ends in Cerreto Alpi at an elevation of 921 meters, takes four hours, is rated T (tourist), and has an elevation gain of 450 meters. The highest point is at 1,310 meters.
The hike follows trail markers 649, 649F, and 649E. These are marked in some sections and absent in others. For planning the day, the four hours of walking time and the total elevation difference provide fixed reference points for the tour. Starting and ending in Cerreto Alpi keeps the tour’s geographical connection consistent. The markers, which are only present in some sections, require attention along the route. The elevation from the starting point at 921 meters to the highest point at 1,310 meters further assists with preparation.
Lake Landscapes and Guided Activities
The route passes Lago Le Gore, located in a small glacial amphitheater. Along the route, it is considered the most remote and least frequented lake. It therefore forms a distinctive landscape feature within the “Cerreto Alpi e i Laghi” hike.
I Briganti di Cerreto organizes walking groups, trekking, snowshoe hikes, and Nordic walking courses in the Apennine Park area throughout the year. The meeting point for these activities is always the Rifugio dei Briganti in Cerreto Alpi. Reservations are required; the necessary equipment is provided.
Getting There and Orientation on Site
Cerreto Alpi can be reached via a turnoff from the SS 63. For the journey, it is recommended to park before the village on Via Circonvallazione, in the straight, level section. You can then continue on foot to the Rifugio dei Briganti or into the village center.
Further Destinations
Cervarezza, Brescello, La Collina, Sant'ilario D'enza, Casale, Castelnovo Di Sotto, Bosco, Albinea
To the main travel overview: Reggio Emilia.
