From Pian del Falco (above Sestola),
one can follow the line of a disused ski-tow to the top of Monte
Calvanella (1529 metres), which gives a view in all directions
of the villages along the Via Giardini and the chain of mountains
which divides Emilia from Tuscany. Path 449, which leads down
from Monte Calvanella, runs parallel to the road to Passo del
Lupo, joining it at Passo Serre. This is the starting point for
path 443, which is wide for 10 minutes and then becomes narrower
as it enters a vast pine wood with many juniper bushes in its
undergrowth. Note the ancient retaining walls. With high meadows
and rounded shapes on its North side, here to the South Monte
Calvanella changes character, with many bare sedimentary rocks
and wild gullies. Turning sharply to the right to avoid an old
landslide, the path descends to fields and a metalled road, which
in just a quarter of an hour leads to three farmhouses, their
long sloping roofs still partly covered with the traditional local
slate. The last of these (casa Poli) has a chapel with windows
in XVII Century style and is dominated by a huge sycamore, perhaps
the same age as the chapel itself. The road becomes unpaved and
climbs steeply to rejoin the road from Sestola to Pian del Falco.
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