Corno alle Scale and Lago Scaffaiolo loop
A loop in the Corno alle Scale Regional Park: from the Cavone beech forest you climb to Lago Scaffaiolo, on the ridge between Emilia and Tuscany, and then to the highest peak in the Bologna Apennines.
- Difficulty
- E Hiking
- Length
- 8.1 km
- Elevation gain
- +550 m / −550 m
- Time
- 3.5–4 hours
- Route
- Loop
- Altitude
- 1424–1923 m
- Season
- Summer Autumn
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The story
Lago Scaffaiolo, of glacial origin, was feared in the Middle Ages: it was said that throwing a stone into it would unleash a storm. Boccaccio already wrote about it.
Why go
Because in half a day you walk along the Apennine ridge with views from the Po plain to the Apuan Alps.
Practical information
- Start
- Lago del Cavone, Lizzano in Belvedere, about 1425 m
- Finish
- Same point, after Lago Scaffaiolo and the summit of the Corno alle Scale (1945 m)
- Best time
- June–October
- Parking
- At the Cavone, in the ski area.
- By public transport
- Bus from Porretta Terme to Lizzano in Belvedere; then you need a car.
- Water
- At the Cavone and the Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi, on Lago Scaffaiolo.
- Shade
- Beech forest at first, then an open ridge.
- Huts and refreshments
- Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi at Lago Scaffaiolo.
- With children
- Yes, with fit children: about 600 metres of ascent.
Weather at the start
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
What to see on the route and nearby
More hikes in Emilia-Romagna
- 1Pietra di Bismantova loopE 3.6 km · +290 m · 2–2.5 hours · loop
- 2★ Acquacheta Falls from San Benedetto in AlpeE 8.8 km · +300 m · 4–4.5 hours · out and back
- 3★ Lago Santo Parmense from LagdeiE 3.6 km · +350 m · 1.5–2 hours · out and back
- 4Carnè loop in the Vena del GessoT 5.3 km · +240 m · 2 hours · loop
- 6Monte Cimone from Pian CavallaroE 2 km · +280 m · 1.5–2 hours round trip · out and back
- 7Dardagna Falls from Madonna dell'AceroT 3.5 km · +60 m · 1.5 hours round trip · out and back
- 8The San Luca portico, from Porta Saragozza to the sanctuaryT 7.3 km · +200 m · 2 hours round trip · out and back
- 9Monte Ventasso from Lago CalamoneE 4.9 km · +380 m · 3 hours round trip · out and back
Routes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via Waymarked Trails and BRouter; elevations from a digital terrain model. Times and elevation gains are indicative: waymarks on the ground and closure orders always take precedence.