Quarto on Lago di Quarto

Quarto brings together Lago di Quarto, a circular walking trail, opportunities for birdwatching and sections of the Cammino di San Vicinio. The Santuario della Madonna Pellegrina is also located right on the lakeshore. If you are looking for a destination where you can explore waterside paths, a longer hiking stage and a cultural visit in different ways, Quarto offers several specific points of interest to help you plan.

On Lago di Quarto: circular trail, boating and birdwatching

The Anello del Lago is a circular trail around Lago di Quarto reserved exclusively for pedestrians. Along the route are ten stops highlighting the main points of interest on the way. The trail thus combines walking by the lake with information about the places you pass. The exact length of the Anello is not stated here; the ten stops are the reference given for its route.

You can also explore the lake on the water: its two arms can be navigated by canoe and small boat on an approximately eight-kilometre round trip. There is a launching point in Quarto. This figure refers to the return trip, not a one-way journey. If you would rather watch from the shore, you can spot birds along the circular trail and at observation points on the Quarto–Massa road.

Sport fishing is possible on Lago di Quarto with a Type B waters licence. Check the licence requirement locally before fishing. The activities at the lake therefore differ not only in where you can observe wildlife, but also in their requirements: the circular trail and roadside points are listed for birdwatching, while sport fishing requires a licence.

Hiking stages and scenery around Quarto

Quarto is the endpoint of the Sarsina–Quarto stage of the Cammino di San Vicinio. Another stage of the route runs from Quarto to Acquapartita and is 15.6 kilometres long. It starts in the town centre and descends to a dam with a hydroelectric power plant, built in 1922. The route then crosses a bridge into a park and follows a narrow path along the lake. It also includes a crossing of the Para stream over large boulders.

The two stages offer different reference points for planning a hike: Sarsina–Quarto ends in Quarto, while the route from Quarto to Acquapartita is listed as 15.6 kilometres long. The description of the second stage also specifies sections from the town centre to the lake and the crossing of the Para. If you plan to take this route, these details can help you choose the right stage without mistaking the route description for a stated walking time.

A black pine forest rises above Quarto and Lago di Quarto. It stretches from the town to the summit of Montalto, at an elevation of 840 metres. The forest, lake and hiking route offer different landscape reference points for a stay: the forest describes the ridge above the town, while the stage’s narrow path is explicitly said to run along the lake.

Santuario della Madonna Pellegrina

The Santuario della Madonna Pellegrina stands on the shore of Lago di Quarto and was built in the second half of the 20th century. The sanctuary houses a venerated image of the Virgin Mary. It arrived in Quarto on 2 June 1950, after the long “Peregrinatio Mariae” through various parishes of the Alta Valle del Savio. The date refers to the image’s arrival in Quarto.

The interior also features ten stained-glass windows by the artist Goffredo Gaeta. In addition to its history, the Santuario offers a specific artistic detail to discover during a visit. Its lakeside location and the story of the image’s arrival make it a destination in its own right, alongside the trails and activities around Lago di Quarto.

Getting to Quarto

The Quarto exit on the E45 is about 1.3 kilometres from the town. As road conditions can change, check the route before you leave. Discover more destinations: San Vittore, Montiano, Carpinello, Camposonaldo, Portico E San Benedetto, Fratta Terme, Cesena, Predappio.

For the overview of the wider area, see: Forlì-Cesena.