Ducati Trail

Conceived and coordinated by CAI Reggio Emilia, together with the CAI sections of Fivizzano and Sarzana, the trail retraces ancient trade routes traveled over the centuries by pilgrims and wayfarers, crossing territories deeply shaped by the events surrounding Matilda of Canossa.

The route, marked with the classic red-and-white CAI trail markers and the abbreviation “SD,” stretches for about 200 km across 11–12 stages, with a total elevation gain of approximately 7,400 meters. From Reggio Emilia (58 m above sea level) or Quattro Castella (168 m above sea level), the trail gradually ascends toward the Apennines to the Lagastrello Pass (1,200 m), then descends into Lunigiana and reaches Pontremoli, with the option to continue on to Sarzana.

In the Emilia section, the trail initially crosses the Colli Matildici, winding through vineyards, oak and chestnut forests, and some of the iconic sites of Matilda’s lands.

Along the way

, you’ll encounter Bianello Castle and Canossa Castle, associated with the famous 1077 meeting between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV.

The trail continues through the Tassobbio, Tassaro, and Enza valleys, gradually moving deeper into the Apennines. Along the way, you’ll encounter villages such as Vetto, Ramiseto, and Succiso, ancient Romanesque parish churches, forests, and natural settings that illustrate the transition from hills to mountains, in a region dominated by some of the most characteristic landscapes of the Reggio Emilia Apennines.

Upon reaching the Lagastrello Pass, the landscape changes once again: the trail leaves Emilia-Romagna and descends through woods and chestnut groves toward Lunigiana, a region historically linked to the Malaspina family. The route then reaches Pontremoli, the iconic town of Lunigiana and home to the enigmatic Stele Statues, with the option to continue on to Sarzana, an ancient fortified town on the border between Tuscany and Liguria.

Along its route, the Sentiero dei Ducati intersects and connects with some of the great hiking and historical trails of the Apennines, including the Via Matildica del Volto Santo, the Via di Linari,the Alta Via dei Parchi, and the Sentiero Italia.

The trail is rated E/EE in difficulty and, due to its length, elevation gain, and terrain, requires a good level of fitness. The generally recommended period is from April to October. Along the route, there are CAI mountain huts, agritourism accommodations, and B&Bs that allow you to plan your trip in multiple stages

The Sentiero dei Ducati is part of the Emilia-Romagna Pilgrimage Routes and Trails circuit.