The Via Vandelli connects Modena and Massa. Duke Francesco III d'Este asked Domenico Vandelli for a project for a modern road, easy to maintain, which passes only through the territories of the Este duchy. The first project of 1738 follows the Via Bibulca. The second project of 1739 is the most innovative and legendary one. It is a road born of the Enlightenment, of a ruler and his designer. The first European road designed and equipped with infrastructure for accommodation and refreshment, a gigantic work of human ingenuity. Today, most of it is hidden under modern roads, or fades into paths, or disappears into meadows and woods. 150 kilometers in length : two passes over 1600 meters in height : departure from Modena at 34 meters above sea level, arrival in Massa at 64 meters above sea level : 85 kilometers uphill : 65 kilometers downhill : asphalt, clay, stones, rock , mud, meadows.
There are seven classic stages, each of which can be covered on foot in a single day, with good training given that some stages have challenging gradients.
https://sites.google.com/view/viavandelli/home
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Hello FKT community. Tomorrow morning, I will begin walking this route with the goal of establishing its first FKT.
I will follow the Standard Route as published on the official website and defined in the official .gpx files, starting in Modena and finishing at Massa - Finis Terrae (Mar Tirreno).
I am already aware that there will be some deviations from the original route due to temporary construction sites, as mentioned on a page of the official website, and due to landslides, as reported in the official Facebook Group. Since these deviations are beyond my control, I assume my route will still be considered valid.
I will use my Garmin InReach Mini 2 to track my route. My progress will be publicly available on MapShare at this link. My clock will start at the beginning of the route and won't stop until I reach the end.
I have planned everything to complete the route in an Unsupported style. As defined by FKT rules, to be recognized as Unsupported, I will have no external assistance of any kind. I will carry everything I need from start to finish, except for water from natural sources.
A few important points:
See you next week!