VIb.18    Section Badia Prataglia - Passo della Calla   32km

I started early and followed the road which runs parallel and near the trail. It was a steady climb which took me eventually above 1200m. Up here I was back uüp in the clouds again. Alongside the road I saw a few ponds that where still partly frozen over. There was hardly any traffic on the road. Along the banks there was on and off some snow. Finally I arrived at the pass Prato alla Penna at 1250m. Here the E1 has two options staying up along the crest in the clouds or going lower passing by an Eremitage. I took the lower option.

From the pass a steeply downhill trail took me down to the road again and soon I arrived at the Eremo di Camaldoli. This the Motherhouse of the Benedictine Congregation of the Camalls which was founded in the early eleventh century by San Romualdo. I could hear the bells calling from some distance. They have a small bar and I had a piece of cake and a hot tea. Cash only.

I continued a short while on the road and than left along a gravel road continuing hiking through the National Park of the Casentino Forests, Monte Falterona and Campigna. Lateron I had lunch at a picnic table back in the clouds. Towards evening I arrived at Passo della Calla. At the pass was an open restaurant. I stopped for a second late lunch. Than I got back out into the clouds and moved on. A bit later I came by the Chalet Burraia. I went asking whether they had a room for the night and surprise, surprise after some discussions amongst the staff they had one for me. It later turned out that I was the only one staying. Later I had a very good several course dinner.

Small waterfall Campeggio Capanno

Hiking in the clouds with snow remnants after climbing 500m

Clear view up the mountains at Monastry Eremo di Camaldoli (1120m)

Lunchbreak at a picnic table in the clouds

Towards days end back into the clouds at Passo della Calla