Stage 16a
Montecreto-Fiumalbo – San Michele Variant
A true mountain stage, not very long but challenging due to the differences in altitude, which however amply rewards the efforts made. The first stretch runs along woodland paths, which lead to the beautiful semi-abandoned ancient village of Magrignana. A few kilometers later you cross the first of the three magnificent bridges that we encounter in this stage as evidence of the ancient passages: the Bridge of San Bartolomeo. One more effort and you arrive, climbing, at a characteristic horizontal wheel water mill, perched on the banks of a rushing stream. You then come across the village of Riolunato, which has an interesting historic center. In the shadow of Cimone Mountain you climb further towards the Tuscan-Emilian border.
The itinerary, as mentioned in the previous stage, offers two variants once you arrive near Pievepelago in Via Serra, just before the Fola Bridge: you keep to the upstream side of the Torrente Scoltenna and you skirt the river and climb until you reach the locality of La Bernardina and then the village of San Michele. Worthy of note is the Church, the Oratory of San Michele Arcangelo (from which the name of the village comes). After the village of San Michele, follow the path until it rejoins the main itinerary just before the Upper Fola Bridge (or “Devil Bridge”) and then arrive in Fiumalbo (a town with the Orange Flag from the Italian Touring Club, also famous for its croccante, margolfe and living Christmas nativity scene). The historic center of Fiumalbo, which we will reach at the end of the stage, is very suggestive and definitely worth a visit.
Distance : 3,1 Km
Time: 1 hour
Terrain: paths, country roads
Height difference +: 182 m
Height difference – : 40 m
Altitude max : 919 m
Altitude min : 768 m