A walking itinerary from Fanano to Lake Pratignano, one of the most interesting places from a nature point of view in the Modena Apennines
Starting from the centre of Fanano, take CAI (Italian Alpine Club) trail no. 405 towards the locality of “Due Ponti” (Two Bridges).
At the junction for Ospitale, keep left towards Serrazzone and then, having crossed the bridge over the Ospitale stream, take the first turning to the right.
Keeping to the left, it takes less than an hour to reach Pian Della Farnia/Casa del Vento, the highest hamlet of Serrazzone. If you wish to shorten the itinerary, you can also make this your starting point, leaving your car here.
Be careful, however, because the on-site car park has a limited number of spaces. It can be reached by following the signs for Serrazzone and then for the lake.
From here, on foot, take the dirt track to Lake Pratignana.
There are two options. The first is to follow the “direttissima”, a harder yet rewarding climb, to the Pratignana car park.
Otherwise, you can follow the dirt track, which has a lower difference in altitude but is longer.
Once you arrive at Lake Pratignana, you will finally find yourself in one of the most enchanting places in the area.
We suggest taking a walk around the lake, to admire the view of Corno alle Scale ski resort in the distance, as well as the entire ridge of the Modena Apennines.
Continuing to the right you can admire a majestic old beech tree with its branches recalling Tim Burton’s ‘Sleepy Hollow’.
Towards the left, look for the sign to the Grotta delle Fate (The Fairies’ Grotto).
To get back to Fanano, you can either go back the same way as you came (possibly following the trail you didn’t take on the way up), or you can follow CAI (Italian Alpine Club) trail no. 407. This would work only if you left your car in the locality of “I Ponti” or if you left directly from Fanano. If you choose to take this trail, you can also pass through the abandoned hamlet of Le Caselle.
