Emilia Gravel 2026 Digital Guide

Check-in and Departures

For the departure on Friday, September 25th:

– check-in begins Thursday, September 24th at 5:00 PM in Piazza G. Verdi, Busseto;
– briefing at 7:30 PM;
– dinner at 8:00 PM (optional group dinner costing €25.00) at the venue provided by the Alpini (only if you confirmed via the QUESTIONNAIRE);
– pre-departure check-in from 6:15 AM to 7:00 AM on Friday, September 25th;
– departure at 7:30 AM.

Participants may set off once registration and event material collection are complete.
For those unable to attend the evening before departure, the 7:30 PM briefing can also be watched live on our social media channels.

For the departure on Saturday, September 26 (following the same procedures):

– check-in starting at 6:00 PM on Friday, September 25, in Piazza G. Verdi, Busseto;
– briefing at 7:30 PM;
– dinner at 8:00 PM (optional group dinner costing €25.00) at the venue provided by the Alpini (only if you have confirmed via the QUESTIONNAIRE);
– pre-departure check-in from 6:15 AM to 7:00 AM on Saturday, September 26;
– departure at 7:30 AM

Important: at check-in, you will need to identify yourself; hand over or show us your medical certificate if you are among the seven participants who haven’t done so yet (oops!); let us know if you wish to have dinner with the group at the Base Camps in Sala Baganza and/or Casina, and when (dinners are to be paid for individually on-site); and we will quickly check that you have downloaded WHIP LIVE and granted the necessary app permissions (downloading and using the app is mandatory for safety and tracking purposes: see the instructions in the “Routes” section below). Finally, we will have you sign to confirm your attendance and acknowledge the PSA regulations, privacy policy, and the use of images on our social media and digital channels.

Luggage Transport

As previously stated in our newsletters and the questionnaire, to make your trail run easier and lighten your load, we are providing a free luggage transport service from the start in Busseto to the finish in Reggio Emilia, WITH NO INTERMEDIATE STOPS. Your luggage will depart with the team on Friday the 25th or Saturday the 26th and arrive around lunchtime on Sunday the 27th. Only those who requested the service via the questionnaire are eligible to use it.

You can drop off your luggage during registration (Thursday or Friday) or at the start line (Friday or Saturday). A tag (bearing a number) will be attached to your bag, and you will be given a corresponding ticket to use for collecting it at the finish line.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a mobile luggage service that follows you along each stage of the route; rather, it is a solution for transporting a small backpack or bag (e.g., containing the sleeping mat and sleeping bag used at the Busseto Convent the night before the start). The transport route is directly from Busseto to Reggio Emilia with no stops in between; you will collect your luggage at the finish line on Sunday the 27th.

Pre-departure Social Dinner (Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th)

For those arriving on the evening of Thursday, September 24th (for the Friday departure) or Friday, September 25th (for the Saturday departure), we invite you to join us for a social dinner at the “Alpini Terre del Po” venue in Busseto (Via Bela Bartok). The venue is located 750m from Piazza Verdi in Busseto.

The menu includes:
– *Tortelli d’erbetta* (ricotta and spinach-filled pasta)
– Platter of local cured meats
– Bread, water, wine, and dessert –> €25 per person

Approximate start time: 8:00 PM – 8:15 PM

A vegetarian option is available upon request.

If you haven’t already done so, please confirm your attendance by filling out the questionnaire at this link.

Accommodation in Busseto

Rooms and a lawn area will be available within the Santa Maria degli Angeli convent (located on Via Provesi in Busseto, Parma) for overnight stays on Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25. Accommodation is free, but you must bring your own sleeping mat and sleeping bag—or a tent if you prefer to camp outdoors.
Restrooms and shower facilities will also be available on-site.

If you do not wish to carry your overnight gear on your bike, you can simply hand it to the staff at the start; it will then be delivered to the finish line, provided you have booked this service (see the “Luggage Transport” section above).

We look forward to receiving confirmation of your attendance via the questionnaire mentioned above.

If your name is not on the accommodation list, IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO USE THIS SERVICE.

Logistics: how to get back from Reggio Emilia?

Regarding the return journey from Reggio Emilia to Busseto, there are a few options, including:

• leaving your car in the large lot behind the Reggio Emilia train station before setting off, then traveling directly to Busseto by train (or to Fidenza and cycling the rest of the way to Busseto), so that your vehicle is waiting for you at the trail’s destination;
• driving to Busseto (there is ample parking around the town center) and, at the end of the trail, returning to Busseto from Reggio Emilia by train (with a change at Fidenza) or by a combination of train and bike via Fidenza.

The Reggio Emilia–Fidenza rail line is well-serviced, with trains running every half hour.

Here is the route for cycling from Fidenza to Busseto:

WhatsApp Community

We have set up a WhatsApp Community featuring various groups that all participants can join to meet up, organize carpooling, get to know one another, share photos and videos with us and each other, stay in touch during the trail, and ask for information.

Groups: General Board, LONG Route, SHORT Route, TOURING Route, Carpooling, Future Editions, Base Camp Logistics, Media, Support.

You can find the link to join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DdZvMGfir2T3SYCfktCyHN

Here is the QR code to join:

Routes

The routes (300 km/5,600m+ elevation gain for the long course; 230 km/3,200m+ for the short course; 200 km/3,000m+ for the touring course) were finally checked between Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20.

The final route files have been sent on Tuesday, September 22.

In the event of rain during the week leading up to the event, we reserve the right to modify the course by Thursday, the 24th.

You MUST load the route onto your GPS device as soon as possible to ensure there are no issues.
DO NOT SHOW UP AT THE START WITHOUT THE GPS ROUTE LOADED ONTO YOUR DEVICE.

We have created an event that prioritizes participant safety.
Our work over the past few months has focused on offering a high-quality route that is also safe for cyclists.
From this point on, it is up to you to exercise the utmost caution during the event.
Emilia Gravel is not a race; do not take unnecessary risks.
Do not ride if you are overly tired.
Try to avoid riding alone.
Help fellow participants who may be in difficulty.
Keep your helmet securely fastened at all times.
Make yourself visible to cars if riding at night (though we advise against doing so).
We can only continue to organize this event if every participant prioritizes their own personal safety. Please remember this.
We strongly recommend that each participant carries their own tracking device to enhance personal safety.
Ensure the WHIP LIVE app is installed and working before the start.
Use your head and have fun.

Base Camps (Sala Baganza, Casina)

Starting this year, the route features “Base Camps”: gyms equipped with restrooms and showers, available for free use by all Emilia Gravel participants. The only things you need to bring are a sleeping mat and a sleeping bag. We aren’t talking about 5-star resorts with continental breakfasts, but rather simple, safe accommodations where you can shower, use the facilities, and rest before the next leg of the journey.

In addition to overnight stays, we have organized two group dinners; payment (approx. €25) is to be made on-site.

The two Base Camps are located in Sala Baganza (PR) and Casina (RE). Please check your planned route against our stage suggestions to see if you will be stopping at either of these locations.

One very important note: given the high level of participation and limited space at the Base Camps, please let us know as soon as possible if you intend to stay at one or both locations. Spots require a reservation—it is not a “first-come, first-served” system—so we ask that you fill out the questionnaire. Please also be aware that a confirmed reservation that goes unused (or is cancelled after September 25th) will incur a €20 fee.

Base Camp Rules

We want the Base Camp experience to be positive for everyone and respectful of the venues hosting us. We therefore ask you to observe the Base Camp rules, which can be summarized as follows:

• NO shoes inside the gyms: you may leave them at the entrance, but walking on the wooden floors in outdoor shoes is not permitted; please bring a pair of slides or slippers to wear inside;
• opening time: from 17.00 (5PM);
• you are NOT ALLOWED to bring food or alcohol into the Base Camps;
• NO bikes inside the gyms: bikes can be left in the outdoor racks (please bring a lock); while they will be supervised, as you know, bikes can go missing in Italy, so bring a lock to secure your ride;
• bring a sleeping mat and a sleeping bag;
• do not take up more space than necessary;
• silence your GPS device (we cannot guarantee total silence due to snoring or outside noise, but let’s at least avoid a chorus of GPS alerts)
• please behave and keep this place clean.

Sala Baganza Base Camp

Opening days: Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 5PM

Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele II, Sala Baganza

Dinner from 7PM (bookable at the registration day) at the Sala Baganza Alpini Group (Via G. di Vittorio 9); you can get there using the route below (it is not right next door, but we will form a group to walk there together):

Base Camp Casina

Opening day: Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 5PM

Address: Via Cav. Favali Fermo, Casina (RE)

Dinner from 7PM (bookable at the registration day) not far from Base Camp, in Via della Chiesa, 2 (Casina).

Highlights: places not to be missed

Here are the places not to be missed during Emilia Gravel 2026:

– Busseto (start)
– Roncole Verdi, featuring Giuseppe Verdi’s Birthplace and the Giovannino Guareschi Museum
– Castell’Arquato, with its medieval village and the Visconti Fortress (Rocca Viscontea)
– Vigoleno, with its castle and perfectly preserved walled village
– Stirone Park, featuring marine fossils and nature trails
– Salsomaggiore Terme (refreshment stop just before entering the town)
– Tabiano Castello, with its thermal baths and ancient fortified village
– Boschi di Carrega, featuring nature trails and historic villas
– Sala Baganza, with the Rocca Sanvitale and the Farnese Garden
– Felino, with its castle and the Salami Museum
– Torrechiara, with its castle and the frescoed “Golden Room” (Camera d’Oro)
– Traversetolo, featuring the Renato Brozzi Museum and the Parmigianino Fair
– San Polo d’Enza, with Montecchio Castle and views over the Enza Valley
– Grassano (a surprise!)
– Canossa, with Matilda’s Castle
– Votigno, a unique Buddhist village in Europe featuring the House of Tibet
– Tassobbio Valley, with its badlands and ancient mills
– Casina, famous for its unmissable *Erbazzone*
– Castelnovo ne’ Monti, with its lively square and status as the hub of the Reggio mountains
– Pietra di Bismantova, featuring the spectacular rock formation loved by Dante
– Ca’ Bertacchi, with the Ca’ del Vento trail
– Reggio Emilia, with the historic Piazza Prampolini, the Tricolour, and the splendid… Ghiara Cloister upon arrival

The Roadbook

By participating in Emilia Gravel 2026, you will receive a paper Roadbook and can collect stamps at various checkpoints along the route. Here they all are:

– Busseto, at BARTENZA (Piazza G. Verdi)
– Castell’Arquato, at BAR LA SCUDERIA CC
– Salsomaggiore Terme, at RISTORO
– Casina, at BAR CENTRALE
– Borzano, at BAR LA TANA
– Reggio Emilia, at the finish line (Chiostro della Ghiara)

Medical Certificate

If you haven’t done so already, you must upload your MEDICAL CERTIFICATE to the ENDU portal where you registered for the event.
Go to ENDU, log in to your private area, and upload the certificate as soon as possible.
If you fail to do so in time, the final opportunity to submit a hard copy is during the accreditation process in Busseto before the start.

All participants are REQUIRED to submit a valid medical certificate of fitness for cycling (specifically, a certificate of fitness for sports activities involving high cardiovascular exertion or a Competitive Cycling Medical Certificate) to the ENDU portal. This certificate must comply with the Ministerial Decree of April 26, 2013 (DM 26/04/2013) and be issued by a Sports Medicine Center or a physician. The certificate must have an expiration date later than October 8, 2026, and must be validated by September 23, 2026.

If the medical certificate does not meet the requirements, it will be rejected and deleted, and the registrant will be required to submit a new, compliant certificate.

The medical certificate must be specific to CYCLING. We cannot accept medical certificates issued for other sports disciplines such as triathlon, track and field, etc.

Failure to comply with this requirement means your registration is not considered valid, and you will not be entitled to a refund of the registration fee.

Points requiring caution

Although the routes are not particularly technical, there are a few areas requiring caution where you should dismount and walk for very short stretches (applicable only to the TOLA DOLSA and TIN BOTA routes):

– KM 55.3 TOLA DOLSA and TIN BOTA: While riding along the Stirone cycle path, you must cross Provincial Road 57 before rejoining the path. To get back onto the cycle path, you must cross a small concrete bridge that has no guardrails: it is MANDATORY to dismount and walk across this bridge;
– KM 86.5 TOLA DOLSA and TIN BOTA: While riding a trail in the Monte Genesio area, you will encounter a fairly steep, rocky descent: please exercise caution;
– KM 92.3 TOLA DOLSA and TIN BOTA: There is a wooded section running from the Case Mezzadri area up to km 95;
– KM 210.9 TIN BOTA: While riding through the Tassobbio Valley, towards the end of the segment, it is no longer possible to descend to the waterfall due to a landslide; you will therefore need to climb back up to the paved road, which involves a very steep section where you will have to push your bike. In the event of rain, if you do not feel comfortable tackling this section, you can divert onto the paved road at Cortogno and ride to Casina;
– KM 235 TIN BOTA: After completing the climb to Pietra di Bismantova, you will ride down a trail that is not particularly difficult but can be slippery when wet.

Suggested stages for the TOURING, TIN BOTA, and TOLA DOLSA routes

Route

Please note that the entire route remains open to traffic; therefore, all participants are **MANDATORY** required to comply with the Highway Code.

If the route involves riding against the flow of traffic, you are advised to dismount and continue on foot.

If the route involves passing along roads where cycling is prohibited, you are advised to dismount and continue on foot.

If you feel unsafe, deviate from the route immediately.

As far as San Polo d’Enza, the railway line runs relatively close to the Via Emilia, offering an option for early withdrawal from the ride.
Beyond San Polo d’Enza, however—during the final leg to Reggio Emilia—the area is not served by the railway.

Suitable Bicycles

As outlined in the event regulations, the route is suitable for gravel bikes, mountain bikes, or trekking bikes.
It is important to ensure your bike is reliable and equipped with a good braking system. Wide tires (over 40mm) are highly recommended, as are low gears (typical of MTBs); while the Apennine climbs are not particularly long, gradients can occasionally exceed 20%.
Using bikes with road gearing and tires narrower than 40mm is not prohibited but is not recommended.

Arrival in Reggio Emilia

The finish line for Emilia Gravel 2026 is located at the Ostello della Ghiara (Via Guasco 6, 42121 Reggio Emilia).

A welcome service will be available at the finish line on Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th.

Overnight accommodation is available at the hostel.
Additionally, shower and bike-washing facilities are available for a fee of €5.

Photography Contest

A pleasant surprise for all participants is the photography contest taking place during the event, organized in collaboration with our partners: Kicking Donkey, Active Case, Impronte – Storie a pedali, Solid Beauty, and Belvì Trail. We invite you to share special moments from your ride through Emilia by following Emilia Gravel (@emilia_gravel_bikepacking) and our partners on Instagram, and by tagging us and them in your posts.

Share posts and stories of your adventure on Instagram and Facebook; tell us your story and show us your best shots.

There are plenty of prizes up for grabs!

Useful links

– WHIP: download tracks and app
– Live tracking
– Instagram Emilia Gravel
– Questionnaire about dinner, base camps and other services

Contact numbers

(to be used ONLY if necessary)
– Roberto Malandrino (organizer): +39 347 529 6416
– Antonio Malandrino (organizer): +39 340 514 3252
– Francesco Gozzelino (organizer): +39 340 710 0356

Instructions for doqnloading gpx files and tracking with WHIP LIVE