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King of Cups Shack

Pria Burgheisa (Pietra Borghese) is a massive outcrop of mantle peridotites, among the best-known and most significant in the area. It lies on the southwestern edge of the Prato Mollo plateau, on the southern slopes of Mount Aiona, at an altitude of 1,465 m. It is a geosite of considerable petrographic, mineralogical, and regional geological interest, allowing us to study the evolution of a portion of the lithospheric mantle subsequently involved in the Apennine orogeny. The outcrop has a highly irregular shape: 30 m long, 10 m wide at its maximum, and 7–8 m high. The rocks are dark in color, ranging from blackish to brownish; the mass is affected by three main fracture systems, more or less orthogonal to each other, which fragment it into numerous square-shaped blocks. The surface of the blocks has a pitted appearance, as the pyroxene crystals, more resistant to erosion than olivine, remain prominent. At the outcrop, mantle foliation is evident, due to the presence of frequent pyroxenite bands. Source: Liguria Geosite Registry.

The Rifugio Casermette del Penna (1,400 m) is located within the Aveto Park, in a beautiful beech forest at the foot of Mount Penna, where the Forestry Corps barracks once stood. Renovated sustainably using local wood, photovoltaic panels, and a biomass boiler, the refuge offers 25 beds in both rooms and dormitories, as well as home-cooked meals prepared using local produce. Today, it is a popular destination for hikers, families, and groups, thanks in part to the large green lawn in front of the building: in summer, it's ideal for relaxing in the sun, picnicking, or letting children play freely. The location is perfect for exploring the trails of Mount Penna, the Lago Penna loop, the Pennino forests, or tackling more technical climbs to the rocky peaks. In winter, it's an ideal base for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The Rifugio Faggio dei Tre Comuni (1,400 m), opened in 2011, is located in a beautiful clearing among the beech forests of the Ligurian-Emilian Apennines, at the symbolic meeting point of the municipalities of Bedonia, Tornolo, and Santo Stefano d'Aveto. Built of wood and concrete, it offered approximately 20 beds and was managed by the Parma branch of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI). Unfortunately, with the agreement between the CAI and the Unione Montana (Mountain Union) having expired, the refuge is now closed and abandoned. A real shame: if the facility were reopened at least during the summer months, it could once again become an ideal base for hiking and biking excursions to Monte Trevine, Monte Penna, and the source of the Taro River. The beauty of the site remains intact, and the refuge's clearing is a perfect stop for a break in the silence of the forest.

The Taro River's sources are located on the slopes of Mount Penna, at approximately 1,500 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Ligurian Apennines, within the Taro and Ceno Valleys Park. Here, in a cool beech forest, several springs merge to form the river's first rivulets. The Taro River originates as an Apennine torrent and flows for over 120 km toward the Po River, crossing valleys, plains, and areas of great natural beauty. Its course is known for its high biodiversity and the presence of well-preserved river environments, protected by protected areas and nature reserves.

Not far from the Aiona–Pratomollo Refuge, near the dirt road, you come across Pietra Borghese, a truly unique rocky outcrop. At first glance, it may seem like a simple dark mass that emerges from the pastures, but it is actually a very ancient rock, among the oldest in Italy: it is over two billion years old and actually comes from the Earth's mantle. Its composition, rich in magnetite, causes compasses to go crazy in the surrounding area, and it is not uncommon for its summit to be struck by lightning during storms. Some legends have also developed around this stone, including one that wants it to be a meteorite that fell from the sky. In reality, its true charm lies in its deep geological origin, which tells an ancient story linked to the birth of the Apennines and the disappearance of a prehistoric ocean.

Ref.Three Beech Trees

Easy ascent to the top of Monte Penna. From Passo dell'Incisa, the A5 route winds through the beech forest, making it feasible even in the hot season. The slope is not slight (20-25%) but considering the limited distance it is feasible. We did this route with our 6-year-old daughter (already accustomed to mountain walks) without any particular effort. For children this is the path to take, the one that starts from Casermette del Monte Penna is not recommended due to the via ferrata which makes it decidedly less suitable. NOTE: Passo dell'Incisa can be reached by car by carefully following a dirt road (about 1.4 km from the junction on Strada Provinciale 75)