Located near the mountaineers village of Ligonchio in province of Reggio Emilia, lies one of the most spectacular group of falls in the Apenines, with the highest jump over than 30 metres high.
In a wild land at the feet of Monte Cusna the river Ozola formed an impressive gorge in the ripid valley, electrical power factory uses the force of water to create energy, as well two weirs and related basins “Presa Bassa” and “Presa Alta” collect water to ensure no-stop reserve.
Our itinerary starts a couple of kms after Ligonchio along a ripid and narrow road, in proximity of a two-spaces park where a cross of path lies.
We take the path 633 alias “Decauville”, in ancient times a plain railway suited to timber transport, now replaced by natural ground; here autumn colours are marvelous.
The path shows us the ripid gorge from atop, while in front of us stand the peaks of Monte Cusna and Monte Prado, Tuscany’s highest one.
A wooded bridge overpass a small stream that forms a couple of nice falls and in about half an hour we reach the basin of Presa Alta.
We take path 635 direction “Prati di Sara” (“Sara’s Fields”), the initial strech is a ripid descending one, reaching the base of the gorge of the river Ozola.
Taking a brief variation brings us at the feet of Presa Alta’s fall, a must.
We cross the river and start climbing toward the Lavacchiello’s Falls, on the way a couple of little ones are dangerous to overpass in case of high water, as well in frozen periods. After about a quarter hour we reach the most impressive ones, taking driection right following the hard noise of the fall.
In front of us lies the Lavacchiello’s Fall, a jump of about 30 metres in a wild environment.
We continue our itinerary climbing atop to Prati di Sara, other falls enjoys our trip, we are now looking at the gorge from the opposite side of the mountain.
When the deep forest leave space to fields we are at half of ours fatigue, reaching a unique bucholic spot where often horses run wild.
A couple of little lakes makes light reflex of the Monte Cusna, while the crest that divides Emilia Romangna and Tuscany creates an endless barrier.
We walk at the feet of Monte Cusna toward “Costa delle Veline”, later on we take the hard descending path 628 to Presa Alta and the former “Decauville”.
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