DAY 47 - NOCETOLO to PARMA - 6 June 2026

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Quiet roads edged with canals, fields and feedlots started our walk today. As the road got busier, we were able to find footpaths to take us into Sorbolo, and our first stop for the day - a gelateria! We did choose fruit flavours but had a banana just in case that wasn't enough healthy fruit...We found out that yesterday's stage of the women's Giro d'Italia had started in Sorbolo and there was still lots of bunting and displays around. 

At Sorbolo we picked up the Food Valley Bike Tour. This is an 80km route that explores the food of the region - cheese, grain, tomatoes, ham. It took us into Parma, avoiding the road. We had our photo taken for the local council by some other walkers, who said that the area had been trying to promote tourism and were pleased to see us on the track.

Parma had a festival happening with traditional games, a market and regional food. We had a focaccia with Parma ham and parmigiano before heading towards our accommodation. In the beautiful Parco Ducale we found a 200 year old plane tree and a short soccer field for display matches for the festival.

We tried to get our credentials for our upcoming Via Francigena walk at the tourist bureau but they didn't have any. After a trip to the supermarket, we had a simple dinner back in our apartment. 
A flat country road to start today's walk
We were walking once again alongside some irrigation canals
One of several old farm properties we passed today
A smattering of poppies to brighten up the  photo
Gelato break in Sorbolo 
Sorbolo was still festooned in pink from yesterday's Giro d'Italia festivities
The Food Valley Bike trail was a dedicated bike path which took us all the way into Parma
The trail was well signposted
Admiring an impressive dung pile 
Reading up about the Food Valley Bike trail outside the entrance to the Barilla pasta manufacturing complex
Entering an underpass will all manner of warning signs
Entering Parma
Some old-fashioned games were displayed on the street
Picking up some Parma focaccia (filled with Parma ham and Parmesan cheese) at a local street food van
Savouring a Parma focaccia
A massive plane tree in Parma's Ducal Gardens
Walking through the Ducal Gardens
The Parma River at Parma
Bits and pieces 
Birds

Day 47 Map
Day:                               47
Distance:                      24.29 km
Walking time:               4 hrs 54 mins
Elevation gain:             52 metres
Cumulative distance:  948.12 km

Comments

  1. Anonymous7 June 2026 at 03:19

    Today’s birds: Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Common Buzzard

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barkers7 June 2026 at 05:31

    😊

    ReplyDelete

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