Riolunato: Ski holidays among slopes, nature and culture

For a ski holiday in Riolunato, the location of the ski slopes is the most important practical reference point: the ski slopes of Le Polle are 13 km from the town centre and can be reached by following the signs to Castello. Riolunato combines this winter-sports focus with historic sites, walkable paths and guided experiences in nature. When choosing your accommodation, you should therefore consider staying in the town and the daily journey to the access point for the slopes as two separate aspects.

Family time away from the slopes: Parco della Vallona has several pieces of play equipment for children, benches and picnic tables.

Historic townscape: Casa Ferrari is an example of a medieval house in Riolunato.

Art and history: The parish church of San Giacomo preserves a crucifix by the contemporary sculptor Iorio Vivarelli.

Hiking: An old medieval road above Riolunato is still walkable and leads through chestnut forests.

Nature experiences: Canyoning and guided excursions along the Scoltenna and Rio Monio are offered in the area of the Gole del Torrente Scoltenna.

Ski slopes and daily planning

The distance between the town centre and Le Polle is more concrete for travel planning than a general description of the location. When choosing accommodation for a ski holiday in Riolunato, the location in the town should therefore not automatically be equated with the location of the ski slopes. Access to the slopes is outside the centre; the signs to Castello indicate the intended route there. This does not imply anything about individual hotels, their facilities or a direct connection to the slopes.

This spatial separation may be important in different ways for different types of travellers. Those who make their day on the slopes the main focus will pay particular attention to the daily journey to Le Polle. Those travelling with children or also planning time away from the slopes can include Parco della Vallona in their daily itinerary. The park provides a specific place for a break or time together, without this implying that every accommodation or every type of traveller is particularly suitable.

Historic sites in Riolunato

The parish church of San Giacomo adds an art-historical dimension to a stay in the town. It preserves a crucifix by the contemporary sculptor Iorio Vivarelli. Casa Ferrari complements this impression as an example of a medieval house in Riolunato. The two sites represent different historical periods: here, you can encounter both a work of contemporary sculpture and historic domestic architecture.

Casa Gestri formerly served as the seat of the local civic authorities. Its fresco, dated 1462, depicts the Virgin Mary with Saint George and another saint. The year and the subject of the painting make Casa Gestri a specific destination for visitors who, while exploring the town, want to take note not only of buildings but also of individual art-historical details.

The Oratorio dell'Ospedale is also known as Santa Maria della Misericordia and formerly served as accommodation for pilgrims and people in need. Its former function should be clearly distinguished in time from present-day accommodation planning. Another historic feature is the Ponte della Fola: it has Romanesque origins and was probably built in the late Middle Ages. It is also considered the only known stone bridge with two arches in the whole of Emilia.

Local culture also includes Il Maggio delle Ragazze. This is a cultural tradition held every three years and celebrated on the night of 30 April. This fixed date and the three-year cycle distinguish the tradition from regularly recurring events and make it a special cultural reference point for planning a stay.

Paths, gorges and waterfalls

In addition to access to the ski slopes, Riolunato offers several nature-related opportunities. The old medieval road along the Scoltenna above Riolunato is still walkable and leads through chestnut forests. The route combines a historic thoroughfare with a landscape that can be explored on foot. A guided tour in the area of Castellino di Riolunato follows old mule tracks to abandoned hamlets, mills and waterfalls.

Guided nature experiences also include ecological walks and excursions to Monte Cimone and other parts of the municipality.

The Rio Monio has formed a gorge described as the deepest gorge in the Modena Apennines. The Cascata della Pollina is a waterfall with a drop of almost 20 metres.

Water itself also plays a role in Riolunato. Fishing is a traditional activity, and the local waters are regularly restocked with fish. The nearby Torrente Scoltenna can be navigated by canoe during the spring months. The range therefore extends from a peaceful activity on the water to guided excursions and canyoning. Canoeing is explicitly limited to the spring months.

Experiencing Riolunato with different interests in mind

The different options suit different daily itineraries, without all activities being located in the same place or connected with one another. For a day on the slopes, planning centres on the ski slopes of Le Polle. For those interested in culture, San Giacomo, Casa Ferrari, Casa Gestri, the Oratorio dell'Ospedale and the Ponte della Fola are the main attractions. Those seeking nature and activity can choose between the walkable path through chestnut forests, guided ecological walks, the tour near Castellino and the waterways.

For families with children, Parco della Vallona can be included as a separate stop. Its facilities include play equipment, benches and picnic tables. For groups with different interests, historic sightseeing, walks and activities on the water can complement a day on the slopes. No specific order, duration or combination of the activities is implied.

If you consider Riolunato as a destination for your ski holiday, this results in a two-part picture: Le Polle provides the specific connection to the slopes outside the town centre, while Riolunato itself and its municipality offer additional themes including art, history, paths and experiences on the water. These differences help you assess accommodation not only by the name of the town but also by the focus you want for your stay.

More places to compare: Faidello, Fiumalbo, Fanano, Pievepelago, Querciagrossa and Sestola.

For the overarching travel overview: Modena.