The ANELLO DEI BRIGANTI
Trail A17 from Vernasca to Vigoleno and back
FROM VERNASCA TO VIGOLENO
Loop trail A17, the ‘ANELLO DEI BRIGANTI’, starts from the main square of Vernasca, continues downhill and following the signs, passes in front of the Rest Home, enters the path of the old road that once led to the ancient church of S. Maria di Campagna and continues downhill until it crosses a path coming from the Ongina; from here, turn left and follow the path as far as the village of Ferrai, where you come out onto the asphalt road, travelling along it for about 100 metres; again turning left, you pass the hamlet of Legatti until, after having travelled along the ridge between the Ongina Valley and the Arda Valley, you reach the locality of La Ciocca, one of the stations of the Parco del Piacenziano.
THE SENTIERO DELLE GINESTRE
Before arriving, near the remote and somewhat mysterious locality of Marazzini, we cross the “broom path”. Walking along this stretch in the period from May to the end of June, you will see a unique spectacle: the beauty of broom blossoming.
“The brooms are so clear, so bright, that they seem to illuminate the places where they bloom” (Gabriele D’Annunzio)
Leave the dirt track here and follow the asphalt road downhill to the hamlet of Franchini.
Cross the provincial road SP12 and continue until you cross the bridge over the Ongina. Shortly afterwards, take the path to the left uphill, leading through fields and woods of oak and chestnut trees to the saddle of Monte S. Stefano. You turn downhill to the left and quickly reach the square of the beautiful medieval village of Vigoleno.
At this point you have covered about 12.5 km.
VIGOLENO
Passing through the entrance gate of the village via a cobbled street, you reach Piazza della Fontana with the Mastio, the Scotti palace-castle and the Oratory of the Beata Vergine delle Grazie, and from there the Romanesque parish church of San Giorgio.
FROM VIGOLENO TO VERNASCA
After a snack and perhaps a good glass of local wine, we resume our hike, following the asphalt road that descends and circles Mount San Giovanni. Along this route, one can enjoy the spectacular view of the Stirone Valley. We reach the hamlet of La Massina and continue to the left towards the Groppo, pass Poggio del Corno, reach Bignoni and then Cergallina, where we descend to the right towards the Ongina until we cross it and ascend a steep but short path that soon takes us back to Vernasca, our final destination.
At this point, you have covered a distance of 21 km.
THE BRIGANTE PASSPORT
Buy or give and get your Brigante passport stamped!
It is useful for the walk and provides the holder with discounts or free gifts at all recommended places.
You can buy the passport at the ticket office of the Mastio di Vigoleno and at the hotel Il turista in Vernasca for € 1.50.
ADVANTAGES FOR BRIGANTE PASSPORT HOLDERS
Enoteca Mastri Vignaioli del Vin Santo di Vigoleno
Vigoleno
tel 320 8936104
Visitors will be offered a glass of wine.
Agriturismo la Fornace
via Colombara – Vernasca
tel 333 3733772
10% discount on food service.
Tenuta la Ratta
via San Marco – Bacedasco Basso
tel 0523 895279
As a gift, a bottle of home-produced wine from the region.
Al Borgo Incantato di Vigoleno
Vigoleno
tel 333 1911379
10% discount on all food and beverages on sale, as well as toys and souvenirs. A bottle of home-made wine from the region will be on sale at a special price.
Cantina Visconti di Vigoleno
Loc Pollorsi di Vigoleno
tel 320 3340950 - Nicola
Special tastings with the offer of a glass of wine to aspiring brigands and 15% discount on tasting sessions for those who book them.
Cantina La Margherita Vini
via San Marco 3 – Bacedasco Basso
tel 0523 895162
A free T-shirt or cap for every purchase or tasting session.
Trattoria Il Botteghino
località Franchini 3
Botteghino
Bollicine e torta fritta
Piazza IV Novembre – Vigoleno
tel 0523 895519
Complimentary house digestif.
EVENTS IN VIGOLENO
WE ARE IN THE UPPER VAL D'ARDA
The Alta Val d’Arda is the easternmost Apennine part of the valley in the province of Piacenza, bordering on the province of Parma.
It has the irresistible charm of a land waiting to be discovered: a treasure chest of history, art, nature and flavours, for those who love to travel far from mass tourism.
