Pietravolta is first mentioned in 1222 as a hamlet on the Bibulca Route and, later, in 1306, in a treaty between Modena and Lucca over the maintenance of the road from Alpicella delle Radici. In the 17th century there was already a chapel consecrated to the blessed Virgin of Snows in which there was a painting considered to be miraculous. The actual church, that dates back to the 18th century, owes its appearance to various restoration works that have enriched the building with elements of medieval style.

Meadows of St. Jeminianus consists of an open space close to the ridge of the Apennines that was already inhabited in prehistoric times. The evidence of this is a flint arrowhead found in the area, that probably dates back to the neolithic age. In the 11th century there was a hospice for the pilgrims who travelled along the Bibulca Route, mentioned for the first time in 1105 in an act of donation of Countess Matilda.

Near San Pellegrino is the place curiously named The Devil’s Spin - Il Giro del Diavolo. Tradition has it that the Devil, furious with St. Peregrine, who had resisted all his temptations, gave him such a hefty slap on the face that it made him spin round three times. In the valley beneath there are heaps of stones left by the pilgrims who used to carry them in obedience to a vow or as an act of penance.

Next to the pass, San Pellegrino in Alpe was a resting place much favoured by pilgrims and travellers. The hospice is first mentioned in 1110, though tradition has it that it was founded by St. Peregrine in the 7th century. It was enlarged in the 13th century and rebuilt in 1462. Next to it stands the sanctuary of the Saints Peregrine and Bianco. The embalmed bodies of the two saints are preserved in a shrine incorporated with the Sanctuary. The church has been restored several times, but it still features typical aspects of medieval sculpture and architecture.

2nd stage

Frassinoro (mt 1131) - S. Pellegrino in Alpe (mt 1529) • 17 Km
Excursion time: 5 hours
Frassinoro - Pietravolta: 1h 45 min
Pietravolta - S. Geminiano: 1h 35 min
S. Geminiano - S. Pellegrino in Alpe: 1h 40 min

Cars can be left at Frassinoro, Pietravolta, San Geminiano, Passo delle Radici, San Pellegrino.

When you reach the square in Frassinoro take the road opposite the Town Hall. Walk along for a few metres then take the first left, with the chemist’s on your left. Once you have walked past the football ground you reach the church. Then turn right into a road leading uphill, near the crossroads opposite the church. After 300 metres you reach another crossroads where you turn left. After about 100 metres, between the street numbers 198 and 200, turn right into a side street. Once you have reached a junction turn left and, after a while, left again and walk straight ahead along the gravel path uphill for about 1 km. The path splits into two near a Gas Company pole. Keep left and follow the path downward as far as the junction with the provincial road 32. Keep right and after a ten-minute walk you will reach the hamlet Il Monte. Once you have passed it, near a stone building, turn left into a path and walk along until you again reach the provincial road, which you follow left. Near a big stable, turn left again, following the track that runs parallel to the road. When you arrive at a junction, take the right-hand path which runs along side the wood until it enters fully into it. At the junction with the gravel road turn right and reach the provincial road again. Turn left and walk along until you reach the signpost for Madonna di Pietravolta. Turn right onto an uphill path that, after a brief walk, leads first to a paved road then into the centre of the village. From here continue towards Piandelagotti and, after 100 metres, on the right side of the road at number 31, you reach a garage. Turn into the paved road that runs beside it. After a few metres the road, by now a gravel track, goes uphill steeply towards a junction. Turn right and take the road uphill overlooking the dam of Fontanaluccia. Continue uphill following the central path (there are a number of lateral paths), until you reach a gravel ridge: once past this ridge you enter the wood. Keep left at the next junction; the path is well marked and leads downwards, past a gate and to the hamlet of La Canalaccia. Walk along to the paved road, then turn right and, after about 100 metres, take the left path downwards that passes in front of a votive chapel, until you reach a wooden bridge. Cross the bridge then turn left and, after a few metres uphill, right, following the path that leads to the provincial road and the first resting point, with tables and benches. Walk left along the road for about 30 metres and take the right-hand path that leads to a junction. Take the right-hand path and walk along until you reach a gravel road: this is the Matilda Path and you follow it by turning left. Walk on to the Dead Man’s Hill (Colle del Morto) where you reach the paved road. Cross over the road and continue along the path in front of you. After a few minutes of track you will find the road again. Walk along the road for a few metres then take the left path again until you reach a gravel road. Turn right into this road that runs alongside the paved road and then rejoins it. After 150 metres of paved road leading uphill, take the right hand path through the wood until you reach the road again. Cross the road and take the cart-track heading towards the refuge of Prati Fiorentini and San Geminiano. From the church continue uphill along the cart-track for about 500 metres as far as the junction. Take the left-hand path and, after 150 metres near the next junction, turn right and walk uphill; after crossing the two ski slopes you will reach the ridge. Walk straight ahead, ignoring the other paths that detour from the ridge, until you reach Passo delle Radici. Once past the hotel, take the right path downhill near the ski-lift. The itinerary, that here overlaps the Matilda Path and the Spallanzani Path, runs along the spurs of the mountain and, after about one hour’s walk, reaches San Pellegrino in Alpe.