PROPOSED BY THE GUIDE
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Trails of Time: Following the Paths of Salt, Pilgrims, Merchants, and Smugglers

Ponticella, Parma · Emilia-Romagna•1 day•Hiking · 490 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
EASY
Where?
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
On your own?
No problem
Points
+14
Trails of Time: Following the Paths of Salt, Pilgrims, Merchants, and Smugglers
Community photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Your guide
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

The ancient salt roads

An excursion through the gentle rolling hills of the Parma Apennines, along the historic Via dei Monti Parmensi. We will walk immersed in an ancient landscape of soft hills, solitary towers, and border castles, following the Lombard road that for centuries has seen the passage of merchants, pilgrims, soldiers, and salt smugglers. Along these paths, between the Parma and Baganza rivers, nocturnal smugglers used hidden routes to avoid the ducal garrisons, exploiting woods, gullies, and unknown mule tracks. An excursion that combines nature, history, and legend, in the heart of the secret Emilia. A slow journey through hills, borders, and ancient tales.

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

The experience

An excursion through the gentle rolling hills of the Parma Apennines, along the historic Via dei Monti Parmensi. We will walk immersed in an ancient landscape of soft hills, solitary towers, and border castles, following the Lombard road that for centuries has seen the passage of merchants, pilgrims, soldiers, and salt smugglers. Along these paths, between the Parma and Baganza rivers, nocturnal smugglers used hidden routes to avoid the ducal garrisons, exploiting woods, gullies, and unknown mule tracks. An excursion that combines nature, history, and legend, in the heart of the secret Emilia. A slow journey through hills, borders, and ancient tales.

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 3 days before
You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+14 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
EASY
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
440 m D+ · 15 km · 7 h
Exposure and exposed sections
NONE
No exposed sections reported on the route.
VERTIGO RISK
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 7 h and 440 m of ascent ahead, an easy pace, suitable for beginners
✓
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
✓Certified Guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Travel to Ponticella
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

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

Elevation gain
440 m
Max altitude
490 m
Distance
15 km
Duration
7 h
Day
15 km · D+ 440 m · 7 h
Map
The stops · 15 km
Meeting point 8:30approximate
Ponticella 1, 43035 Sala Baganza provincia di Parma, 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
08:30MEETING
San Vitale Baganza (PR)
San Vitale Baganza, Sala Baganza (PR) Baganza River Pedestrian Ford Parking Area Meeting Point and Hike Departure
10:00VIEWPOINT
Cariola Woods
Cariola Forest Nature Trail
11:30VIEWPOINT
Nature Trail
Borgo bosco di Tordenaso
13:30HIKING TRAIL
Via Longobarda
Via Longobarda cammino dei Linari
14:00RETURN
San Vitale Baganza (PR)
End of the trail, hike complete!

How do you get to Ponticella? 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.

Windproof
REQUIRED
Cap
REQUIRED
Windbreaker
REQUIRED
Gloves
REQUIRED
Waterproof shell pants
REQUIRED
Thermal shirt
REQUIRED
Sunglasses
REQUIRED
Long pants
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Mineral salts and supplements
RECOMMENDED
Layered clothing
RECOMMENDED
Change of clothes
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Gianpaolo
Gianpaolo
· 35 outings
We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Gianpaolo, an environmental hiking guide and tour leader: from Brianza originally, but long since at home in the province of Parma. My real home, though, is whatever trail I'm walking. I carry the mountains in my heart and a passion for long-distance routes in my backpack, and I don't have a favourite place: lacing up my boots and setting off is enough. What I enjoy most is sharing kilometres and feelings with whoever is walking beside me, because every outing is a journey and every group a new story to live step by step. The backpack is always ready. 🎒 See you in the mountains, Guidders!

Italiano
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 7 h with 440 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 3 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? Message 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.
Message Ibex on WhatsApp
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice.
Trails of Time: Following the Paths of Salt, Pilgrims, Merchants, and Smugglers

Trails of Time: Following the Paths of Salt, Pilgrims, Merchants, and Smugglers

Ponticella, Sala Baganza (PR) · Emilia-Romagna
1 day · Hiking · 490 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
440 m
Max altitude
490 m
Distance
15 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
7 h
Guiddy points
+14
4 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

The ancient salt roads

An excursion through the gentle rolling hills of the Parma Apennines, along the historic Via dei Monti Parmensi. We will walk immersed in an ancient landscape of soft hills, solitary towers, and border castles, following the Lombard road that for centuries has seen the passage of merchants, pilgrims, soldiers, and salt smugglers. Along these paths, between the Parma and Baganza rivers, nocturnal smugglers used hidden routes to avoid the ducal garrisons, exploiting woods, gullies, and unknown mule tracks. An excursion that combines nature, history, and legend, in the heart of the secret Emilia. A slow journey through hills, borders, and ancient tales.

Come alone, leave with new friends

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
EASY
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
440 m D+ · 15 km · 7 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 7 h and 440 m of ascent ahead, an easy pace, suitable for beginners
✓
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
✓Certified Guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
NOT INCLUDED
✕Travel to Ponticella

Itinerary

Day · approximate times
Map
Stops · 15 km
Meeting point 8:30Ponticella
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
08:30MEETING
San Vitale Baganza (PR)
San Vitale Baganza, Sala Baganza (PR) Baganza River Pedestrian Ford Parking Area Meeting Point and Hike Departure
10:00VIEWPOINT
Cariola Woods
Cariola Forest Nature Trail
11:30VIEWPOINT
Nature Trail
Borgo bosco di Tordenaso
13:30HIKING TRAIL
Via Longobarda
Via Longobarda cammino dei Linari
14:00RETURN
San Vitale Baganza (PR)
End of the trail, hike complete!

How do you get to Ponticella? 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.
Windproof
REQUIRED
Cap
REQUIRED
Windbreaker
REQUIRED
Gloves
REQUIRED
Waterproof shell pants
REQUIRED
Thermal shirt
REQUIRED
Sunglasses
REQUIRED
Long pants
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Mineral salts and supplements
RECOMMENDED
Layered clothing
RECOMMENDED
Change of clothes
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Gianpaolo
Gianpaolo
35 outings with Guiddy
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Gianpaolo, an environmental hiking guide and tour leader: from Brianza originally, but long since at home in the province of Parma. My real home, though, is whatever trail I'm walking. I carry the mountains in my heart and a passion for long-distance routes in my backpack, and I don't have a favourite place: lacing up my boots and setting off is enough. What I enjoy most is sharing kilometres and feelings with whoever is walking beside me, because every outing is a journey and every group a new story to live step by step. The backpack is always ready. 🎒 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 7 h with 440 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?
⌄
Ibex
Still unsure? Message Ibex on WhatsApp →
No date
€22
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed