Here, nature is not a spectacle but a living presence. The white, jagged gypsum cliffs emerge among the woods, ready to be touched, climbed, and crossed. This long, silent ridge stretches for tens of kilometers like a mineral spine, preserving caves, trails, fossils, and stories. It also holds quiet moments that allow space for reflection.
The park is much more than a green area: it is a meeting point of geology, biodiversity, and landscape conservation. A former farm has been transformed into a visitor center, surrounded by self-renewing natural scenery. Summer scents of broom and wild oregano mix with the stillness of winter mist. Trails—well-marked, maintained, and interpretive—invite slow, mindful walks. No climbing shoes are needed; only curiosity and respect are required.
Along the way, you might spot a roe deer or a rare peregrine falcon. But it is mainly the rock itself that tells the story: the Vena del Gesso is a unique European formation, emerging millions of years ago as the sea retreated, shaped by wind, water, and human hands over centuries.
The park is not just for expert hikers; it is suitable for families, school groups, and casual walkers. It is easily accessible from Brisighella, with a short climb through vineyards and olive groves, or from Borgo Rivola, at the border between Casola Valsenio and Riolo Terme.
Visitors can enjoy a picnic under the oaks, stargaze on clear September nights, or join guided tours along the cliffs. Every season offers a different pace, every path a new reason to walk.
There is no need for special effects. The park’s beauty lies in the details: a porous stone in your hand, a root rising from the path, a fox disappearing into the undergrowth. It is a quiet beauty, waiting patiently, honest and unpretentious.
The Vena del Gesso is not visited; it is inhabited. Step by step, breath expanding, mind opening. If at the end you feel lighter, more attentive, more grateful… it means this corner of Romagna has done its work.
Trails in the Vena del Gesso Regional Park:
Additional notes: The Regional Park of the Vena del Gesso was established by Regional Law 21 February 2005 n.10. It represents the most interesting site of the Apennines in the Province of Ravenna and is vital for the development of the hilly area and the conservation of natural heritage. The gypsum formations, dating from the Miocene period, extend northeast to southwest, featuring spectacular cliffs such as Riva di San Biagio, Monte Mauro, and Monte della Volpe. Karst phenomena include caves (Tanaccia, Grotta del Re Tiberio), dolines, abysses (Fantini and Mornig), and streams (Santerno, Senio, Sintria, Lamone). Vegetation varies with microclimates, from Mediterranean scrub on sunny cliffs to chestnut and woodland on shaded slopes.
