Parco dell'Orecchiella Centro e Pania di Corfino — Round trip

Embark on a difficult hike through the Parco dell'Orecchiella Centro and Pania di Corfino, a challenging yet rewarding journey in Italy's Garfagnana region. This 4.2-mile (6.8 km) round trip route features a significant elevation gain of 1358 feet (414 metres), typically taking around 2 hours and 34 minutes to complete. You will traverse varied terrain, from dense beech forests to stony ground and scree, eventually reaching the panoramic summit of Pania di Corfino, which offers expansive views of the Garfagnana valley and the Apuan Alps.

This hard hike demands good fitness, sure-footedness, sturdy shoes, and some alpine experience. While the research does not specify trailhead access or parking, the Orecchiella Park Visitor Center in San Romano in Garfagnana serves as a central hub for information. Visiting in spring is particularly rewarding, as the area comes alive with colorful blooms, enhancing the natural beauty of the protected reserve.

The Parco dell'Orecchiella is a recognized jewel of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, known for its rich biodiversity. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as the Apennine wolf, deer, and various birds of prey, or visit the animal enclosures. The area also boasts the "Giardino Botanico Maria Ansaldi Pania di Corfino," a botanical garden dedicated to preserving local and endangered plant species.