Via Vandelli [Day 1]: Modena - San Donnino - Torre Maina - Puianello

Via Vandelli

General info:
Your backback, if you'll stay at B&Bs, should weight less than 8kg water included
2. Shoes and socks are the most important gear for your journey. Be sure to have some medical stuff with you for foots and health in general.
3. Be phisically prepared: there are no technical difficulties, but foot, legs and knees could not be happy sometimes :) You should be able to handle at least 8h of hike with 1500 D+ to be sure you can do it.
4. Always carry 2 to 3 Lt of water. There are fountains during the journey, fill the water as much as you can especially in the 5th day
5. It can be extremely hot in the first two days, be sure to start early in the morning.
6. The Rifugio Nello Conti is (as of 2022)almost the only place to sleep at day 6, and has only 20/25 beds in a single room. Not sleeping there will make the journey extremely difficult, or require an additional night. It's a mountain hut, not an hotel, but is generally confortable.
The only "technical difficulties" will be in the Apuane, and just around passo Tambura.

The first day is more a pain than a gain, when starting from Modena. Start at Sassuolo if you can, it should be more enjoyable (but did not tried)
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The first day is mostly flat, mostly on asphalt, zero technical difficulties. It's just long. And hot!

From Piazza Roma, head for via Farini, then stop for a photo at the Duomo (UNESCO heritage) and for taking lunch in one of the many shops (see also mercato Albinelli).

Exit the city center via Via Saragozza, then continue until you reach Vaciglio. From here, a long a straight old railway will take you near San donnino. Before it, take the right and follow the hike that follow river Tiepido. You'll reach Torre Maina (two bars/shops available), then end your journey with the last few km uphill.

For the stay, I recommend Agriturismo La Bizentina (hand made pasta, everything locally produced... :D).