Losanna e Bragalata

Amazing as well as strenuous Apennine crossing in the Hundred Lakes Park. Departure from Tavernelle in Lunigiana (MS) towards Passo del Lagastrello (PR) on a climb that is never challenging. At the pass, leave the paved road and take trail 00 to Squincio Lake. From the latter follow the Cai 703 trail that would lead to Rigoso. At an elevation of 1190 turn left onto forestry, although probably given the slope and the little cyclability it would be better to pull straight up to Rigoso and then arrive comfortably at Prato Spilla.

Continuing on, the forest road meets Cai 701 and at about elevation 1400 picks up again Cai 703, which, passing Lake Verdaiolo, arrives at the Prato Spilla facilities. Through the Adventure Park follow Cai 707 which leads directly to the ridge at Passo del Giovarello in a super environment and meeting three more lakes on the way, Balano, Verde and Martini. Once on the ridge all that remains is to follow the trail passing over the summit of Bragalata and Mount Lausanne (1856 meters) until reaching Compione Pass from where the long descent begins.

With further effort one can reach the Nuda di Iera from where it is possible to catch a glimpse of the Sillara lakes below the peak of the same name. The descent (Cai 116) is all doable in the saddle with good/very good skills, except for a passage on a hairpin bend with a rocky bottleneck. Arriving at Lausanne Meadows be very careful because the trail is initially not very visible.

Arriving at Prato del Ferro, the trail becomes well visible and better maintained but much more challenging with some non-bikeable passages. At the foot of Monte Cinollo you can follow the trail or follow a freeride as in our case, either way you arrive at a large clearing. From here to Appella you have to follow the long forest trail (Cai 114) although in reality there would be some cuts that are in a total state of neglect reason why we decided to skip them. From the Borgo the trail continues smoothly to Tavernelle cutting across the paved road.

The tour straddles Tuscany and Emilia Romagna in the provinces of Massa and Parma. The tour includes long push and shoulder sections not suitable for E-bike owners.