Trekking in the Apennines

Discover Italy’s best-kept secret, the Grande Escursione Appenninica (GEA), a spectacular 400km (249 mile) long-distance trail traversing the rugged, panoramic ridges and forested valleys of the central and northern Apennines. Linking Bocca Trabaria on the Umbrian border to Passo Due Santi on the edge of Liguria, the GEA winds through the heart of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, crossing two National Parks and visiting ancient towns, crystal-clear lakes, and the highest peaks, including Monte Prado, the summit of Tuscany.

This comprehensive Cicerone guide describes the GEA in 23 daily stages (8–25km each), with clear stage gradings, distance, elevation profiles, and estimated walking times. Thanks to excellent public transport links along the route, the GEA can be tackled as a classic three-week trek or enjoyed in shorter, flexible sections, perfect for walkers with limited time or those seeking a taste of Apennine adventure.

Follow the GEA along waymarked mountain paths, forestry tracks, and quiet rural lanes through the unspoilt landscapes of the Apennines, rich with wildlife, wildflowers, and panoramic Mediterranean views, far from the crowds and deep in authentic Italian countryside.
Each stage concludes in an Apennine town or village, offering comfortable guesthouses, alpine refuges, or camping, with comprehensive notes on local accommodation, food, and facilities along the GEA.
Plan your journey through the Apennines for the ideal season, with guidance on trail conditions, weather, and why July–August is the best time for reliable walking and open services on the GEA.
Benefit from detailed information boxes for every GEA stage, covering start and finish points, distances, elevation changes, terrain, estimated times, grade (1–3), and transport, making Apennine route planning simple.
Access practical tips on preparation, packing, navigation, safety, and the unique highlights of each GEA section, plus an English–Italian glossary to support your trek across the Apennines.
Delve into the history, wildlife, flora, food, and culture of the Apennines, with dedicated guidebook sections introducing the region’s rich heritage and natural wonders found along the GEA.
Navigate the Apennines with confidence using clear sketch maps and elevation profiles for each GEA stage, as well as summary tables for flexible itinerary planning and suggested 1–3 day highlight walks.


Set out on an unforgettable journey along the Grande Escursione Appenninica with Cicerone’s expert guidebook, and immerse yourself in the wild beauty, timeless charm, and hidden trails of Italy’s mountainous spine.

Seasons

spring through to autumn: late June-September fits best with accommodation availability in the central section

Centres

Abetone, Arezzo, Bibbiena, Bologna, Parma, Pieve Pelago, Pistoia, Pontremoli, Porretta Terme, Prato, Reggio Emilia, Sansepolcro

Difficulty

no special experience needed: any fit walker can embark on this route, and there are plenty of short sections, making the route perfect for bespoke walking holidays.
The few moderately exposed stretches can always be detoured

Must See

the Casentino National Park and Franciscan sanctuaries; the WW2 Gothic line; open ridges on the northern stretch; alpine-style lakes in the Apennines National Park; Monte Prado, Tuscany's highest peak (2054m); magnificent beech woods; alpine flowers

Contents

Map key
Overview map


Introduction
The GEA trek
The Apennines
Highlights and short walks
Plants and flowers
Animal life
Getting there
Local transport
Tourist information
When to go
Accommodation
Food and drink
What to take
Maps
Emergencies
How to use this guide
Dos and don'ts
Background reading


The GEA

Stage 1 Bocca Trabaria to Passo di Viamaggio
Stage 2 Passo di Viamaggio to Caprese Michelangelo
Stage 3 Caprese Michelangelo to La Verna
Stage 4 La Verna to Badia Prataglia
Stage 5 Badia Prataglia to Rifugio Citt&##xe0; di Forlì
Stage 6 Rifugio Citt&##xe0; di Forlì to Passo del Muraglione
Stage 7 Passo del Muraglione to Colla di Casaglia
Stage 8 Colla di Casaglia to Badia Moscheta
Stage 9 Badia Moscheta to Passo del Giogo
Stage 10 Passo del Giogo to Passo della Futa
Stage 11 Passo della Futa to Montepiano
Stage 12 Montepiano to Rifugio Pacini
Stage 13 Rifugio Pacini to Pracchia
Stage 14 Pracchia to Lago Scaffaiolo
Stage 15 Lago Scaffaiolo to Boscolungo
Stage 16 Boscolungo to Lago Santo Modenese
Stage 17 Lago Santo Modenese to Passo delle Radici
Stage 18 Passo delle Radici to Passo di Pradarena
Stage 19 Passo di Pradarena to Passo del Cerreto
Stage 20 Passo del Cerreto to Prato Spilla
Stage 21 Prato Spilla to Lago Santo Parmense
Stage 22 Lago Santo Parmense to Passo della Cisa
Stage 23 Passo della Cisa to Passo dei Due Santi

Appendix A Route summary
Appendix B Italian-English glossary
Appendix C Useful contacts