Grottorotondo Twilight

Having parked the car in the small parking lot of Vergemoli we head towards Calomini, at the junction that would lead to the village we turn left on the road to Bruciano, should you need to fill your water bottles you must go to the village. Once in Bruciamo we make a cut on the steep path to Sase di Sotto to Case di Sopra, but if you wish you can follow the road by running a longer loop and find yourself at the same point. We follow the road to Piglionico and at about elevation 960 we take the path on the left that leads onto Grottorotondo.

The first section is very rough and steep and then narrows and softens at the beginning of the ridge section that is still rideable for a few dozen meters. After this section you need to descend and push or carry your bike on your back to reach the summit except for a short descent just before reaching the top. Along the ascent one can pause to visit the recently recovered and rearranged Gothic Line emplacements. Despite a modest elevation Grottorotondo enjoys superlative views of the Apuan Alps and especially of Pania Verde and Pania Secca being practically below it. The descent is great fun, more technical at the top, with some exposed sections, and smoother once you enter the woods.

The ridge trail ends at the road coming from the Forcone junction where we continue downhill until we take the path that will lead us to Vergemoli.