Trekking to the Calla Pass

"...this giogana of the Apennines preserves its ancient foliage adorned with a most extensive beech forest, contucciò few Tuscan yokes preserve their manes as adorned as is that of which it is discussed." from Emanuele Repetti's Historical Physical Geographical Dictionary of Tuscany.

Even today, Repetti's writing can be considered relevant in the physical description of these places located in the heart of the Casentino Forest National Park. The toponym "Giogana" refers to ancient forest roads travelled by oxen “aggiogati” to transport the prized fir wood from the forests straddling Tuscany and Romagna. 

We will walk along the historic ridge that from Passo della Calla will take us to the Hermitage of Camaldoli, a moderately challenging hike without excessive elevation changes. From Passo Della Calla, we will climb the ridge, skirting the area of the Sasso Fratino Integral Reserve and admiring the enormous boulders of the Vallone di Pian Tombesi. We will reach Poggio Scali, an ancient communication hub between Casentino and Romagna, also mentioned by Ludovico Ariosto in Orlando Furioso.

With views of Falterona and La Verna, we will cross beech forests dotted with clear springs, passing through Giogo di Secchieta, a former timber collection point. After Prato al Soglio, an old watering place for grazing animals, we will enter the magical forest of Camaldoli, a pure and beautiful fir forest linked to the tradition of the Order founded by St. Romuald, and finally reach the Sacred Hermitage of Camaldoli in time for a lunch break and a bitter at the Antica Farmacia. The return will follow the same route. 

The tour will take place on Sunday, July 14, starting at 9:00 AM.