PROPOSED BY THE GUIDE
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Pietra Parcellara and Perduca: ophiolites in the Piacenza Apennines

Travo, Piacenza · Emilia-Romagna•1 day•Hiking · 800 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
EASY PLUS
Where?
Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna
On your own?
No problem
Points
+13
Pietra Parcellara and Perduca: ophiolites in the Piacenza Apennines
Community photos
See all photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Your guide
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

Two fragments of ocean floor amid the hills

The most classic of the routes in the Piacenza Apennines: an easy walk, in terms of elevation gain and distance, to discover the two ophiolitic massifs that stand out from the gentle hilly landscape of the Trebbia Valley.

Group chat a couple of days before
Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

Pietra Parcellara and Pietra Perduca are no ordinary rocks: they are fragments of Earth's mantle that became embedded in the seabeds present in this area millions of years ago, later uplifted here by the movement of tectonic plates. Walking around them means touching, firsthand, a piece of ocean that ended up in the hills.

On Pietra Perduca stand the Oratory of Sant'Anna and two ancient pools carved into the rock, home to all three species of newts found in northern Italy: the crested, the smooth, and the alpine newt, delicate and protected amphibians.

This is an easy hike: 8 kilometers and 300 meters of elevation gain, suitable for everyone, as long as you're used to walking. More than a climb, it's a geology lesson on foot. You'll need hiking shoes, water, and a packed lunch.

Come with the Guidders: book now and let's explore the two Pietre together.

GOOD TO KNOW
Group chat
It opens a couple of days before: that's where the meeting point is confirmed and carpooling is arranged.
Free cancellation up to 2 days before
You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+13 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
Included in the price.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
EASY PLUS
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
300 m D+ · 8 km · 5 h
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 5 h and 300 m of ascent ahead, if you go on a long walk now and then, you'll be fine
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Licensed hiking guide
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Fuel, shared among participants
✕Packed lunch
✕Travel to Travo
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.

Elevation gain
300 m
Max altitude
800 m
Distance
8 km
Duration
5 h
Map
Day
8 km · D+ 300 m · 5 h
Meeting point 10:00approximate
Primo ritrovo, Strada Pietra Parcellara, 29020 Travo provincia di Piacenza, Italia. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
HOW TO GET THERE
A
10:00MEETING
Meeting at Pietra Parcellara
We meet the Guidders in the small roadside car park, near the start of the trail, along the road to Pietra Parcellara in Travo (PC). The exact time is shared in the outing's Telegram group.
B
10:30VIEWPOINT
Pietra Parcellara
We soon reach the foot of Pietra Parcellara: here the hike proper begins and the guide explains the unusual geology of this part of the Apennines. The two Pietre are slabs of Earth's mantle caught in sea floors millions of years old.
C
12:30VIEWPOINT
Pietra Perduca and the Oratory of Sant'Anna
Along a scenic trail winding through rocks and woodland, we reach Pietra Perduca and the Oratory of Sant'Anna. We climb up onto the rock to admire two ancient basins carved into the stone, home to the three newt species found in northern Italy. Here, we stop for a well-deserved snack break.
D
15:00RETURN
Loop back
We set off again to complete the loop and head back to the cars, with the hills of Val Trebbia surrounding us.

How do you get to Travo? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group. Contacts and costs are agreed between you: a seat isn't guaranteed.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.

Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Layered clothing
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Trail running shoes
REQUIRED
Windproof
RECOMMENDED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Guanti
RECOMMENDED
Change of clothes
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Francesca
Francesca
· 5 outings with Guiddy
We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Francesca, a geologist by training and an environmental hiking guide with AIGAE. For more than ten years I've also worked in environmental education, for adults and children, in schools, parks and museums. My job consists of trying to convince people that a rock is a genuine open book of natural history, and that the droppings of a wild animal can be BEAUTIFUL. When I'm not doing science outreach or leading hikes, I'm probably working out whether a spider could be my new best friend (by talking to it, obviously). My life is a mix of salami sandwiches eaten in the woods and "wow, look at this beetle, it's stunning!" — because, let's be honest, what could possibly be better? See you in the mountains, Guidders!

Italiano
Inglese
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.
—
no reviews yet
Itinerary—
Organisation—
Overall experience—
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
We only ask for feedback from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Paths, mule tracks or wide trails requiring little physical preparation. You need to be fit enough to walk for 5 h with 300 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Book now, pay only if it goes ahead
MOST POPULAR
✓No charge now: the amount is only held on your card
✓Free cancellation up to 2 days before
✓You're only charged once the group is confirmed, at 7 pm the evening before departure
✓Minimum not reached? No charge, nothing to do
Or pay straight away by card, PayPal, Satispay or Revolut. With Klarna you can also pay in interest-free instalments.
Ibex
Still have questions? Ask Ibex
Ibex is Guiddy's virtual ibex: it answers everything, 24/7. In two messages it tells you whether this outing is for you, how to get there and what to pack.
Hi, I'm Ibex. Ask me anything about this outing: level, what to bring, meeting point, car pooling, payment.
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice. Prefer WhatsApp?
Pietra Parcellara and Perduca: ophiolites in the Piacenza Apennines

Pietra Parcellara and Perduca: ophiolites in the Piacenza Apennines

Travo, (PC) · Emilia-Romagna
1 day · Hiking · 800 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
300 m
Max altitude
800 m
Distance
8 km
Duration
5 h
Guiddy points
+13
9 photos
+5 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

Two fragments of ocean floor amid the hills

The most classic of the routes in the Piacenza Apennines: an easy walk, in terms of elevation gain and distance, to discover the two ophiolitic massifs that stand out from the gentle hilly landscape of the Trebbia Valley.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

Pietra Parcellara and Pietra Perduca are no ordinary rocks: they are fragments of Earth's mantle that became embedded in the seabeds present in this area millions of years ago, later uplifted here by the movement of tectonic plates. Walking around them means touching, firsthand, a piece of ocean that ended up in the hills.

On Pietra Perduca stand the Oratory of Sant'Anna and two ancient pools carved into the rock, home to all three species of newts found in northern Italy: the crested, the smooth, and the alpine newt, delicate and protected amphibians.

This is an easy hike: 8 kilometers and 300 meters of elevation gain, suitable for everyone, as long as you're used to walking. More than a climb, it's a geology lesson on foot. You'll need hiking shoes, water, and a packed lunch.

Come with the Guidders: book now and let's explore the two Pietre together.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
EASY PLUS
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
300 m D+ · 8 km · 5 h
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 5 h and 300 m of ascent ahead, if you go on a long walk now and then, you'll be fine
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Licensed hiking guide
NOT INCLUDED
✕Fuel, shared among participants
✕Packed lunch
✕Travel to Travo

Itinerary

Day · approximate times
Map
Explore the map
4 stops
Meeting point 10:00Primo ritrovo
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
A
10:00MEETING
Meeting at Pietra Parcellara
We meet the Guidders in the small roadside car park, near the start of the trail, along the road to Pietra Parcellara in Travo (PC). The exact time is shared in the outing's Telegram group.
B
10:30VIEWPOINT
Pietra Parcellara
We soon reach the foot of Pietra Parcellara: here the hike proper begins and the guide explains the unusual geology of this part of the Apennines. The two Pietre are slabs of Earth's mantle caught in sea floors millions of years old.
C
12:30VIEWPOINT
Pietra Perduca and the Oratory of Sant'Anna
Along a scenic trail winding through rocks and woodland, we reach Pietra Perduca and the Oratory of Sant'Anna. We climb up onto the rock to admire two ancient basins carved into the stone, home to the three newt species found in northern Italy. Here, we stop for a well-deserved snack break.
D
15:00RETURN
Loop back
We set off again to complete the loop and head back to the cars, with the hills of Val Trebbia surrounding us.

How do you get to Travo? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike.
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Layered clothing
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Trail running shoes
REQUIRED
Windproof
RECOMMENDED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Guanti
RECOMMENDED
Change of clothes
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Francesca
Francesca
5 outings with Guiddy
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Francesca, a geologist by training and an environmental hiking guide with AIGAE. For more than ten years I've also worked in environmental education, for adults and children, in schools, parks and museums. My job consists of trying to convince people that a rock is a genuine open book of natural history, and that the droppings of a wild animal can be BEAUTIFUL. When I'm not doing science outreach or leading hikes, I'm probably working out whether a spider could be my new best friend (by talking to it, obviously). My life is a mix of salami sandwiches eaten in the woods and "wow, look at this beetle, it's stunning!" — because, let's be honest, what could possibly be better? See you in the mountains, Guidders!

We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Reviews

— · none yet
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
Only from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Paths, mule tracks or wide trails requiring little physical preparation. You need to be fit enough to walk for 5 h with 300 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
No date
€25
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed