Banca: Hikes and Historic Routes

When choosing a stay in Banca, the routes can be distinguished by their type and landmarks. Alongside a circular hike with named destinations, there is a connection via Passo del Brattello and a mountain bike loop with a waypoint along the route. The figures and route names refer to different things: one to the length of an entire loop, the other to a point along the route.

Hiking via La Banca

From La Banca, a 10.3 km circular hike leads to Passo del Borgallo and the Chapel of Valvenera. Another hiking option is the connection from La Banca via SP39 to Passo del Brattello, linking the Via degli Abati with the GEA. At Passo del Brattello, this connection crosses the E1 towards Passo della Cisa. This provides two different navigational references: a circular hike with two named destinations and a connection defined by the named routes and the pass.

Mountain biking and route navigation

The mountain bike loop “Passo dei due Santi, Monte Spiaggi e Passo del Borgallo da Banca” reaches Passo dei due Santi after 15.7 km. This figure refers to the waypoint on the route, not the total length of the loop. It should therefore be read differently from the 10.3 km of the complete circular hike from La Banca. The mountain bike route also explores the path descending from Monte Spiaggi to the Cascate Farfara. It approaches Passo dei due Santi via a forest track that is also used by motorcycles. As trail conditions can change, check them before your trip.

Historic routes and regional context

The Via dei Remi adds a historic route to the hiking connections. It began in Borgo Val di Taro, crossed Val Tarodine and Passo Scassella towards Levanto, and met the Via degli Abati near San Vincenzo. The Via degli Abati also features in the hiking connection via Passo del Brattello, there in connection with the GEA. The shared name does not refer to the same route: the Via dei Remi led towards Levanto, while the hiking connection at Passo del Brattello links other named routes. This distinction helps separate the regional history of the routes from the individual hikes.

In the broader municipal context, Borgo Val di Taro is another landmark. In Pradelle-Porcigatone, Borgo Val di Taro, you’ll find the visitor center of the Riserva Naturale Regionale e Oasi WWF dei Ghirardi. Borgo Val di Taro is accessible via the A15 Parma–La Spezia motorway, using the Borgotaro exit, and via the Parma–La Spezia railway line. These provide two different travel options for getting there: by road or by rail.

Discover more destinations: San Polo, Porcigatone, Collecchio, Varsi, Formiano, Langhirano, Bardi, Fornovo Di Taro.

View the broader travel overview: Parma.