Appenninfest in Prato Spilla
The great Appennino festival in Prato Spilla, in the Park of the Hundred Lakes
About Appenninfest
A festival celebrating the Apennines
Appenninfest is much more than a village fair: it is the festival that tells the soul of the Parma Apennines. It takes place in Prato Spilla, the charming mountain resort in the Municipality of Monchio delle Corti, in the Province of Parma, situated at about 1350 meters above sea level on the ridge dividing Emilia from Tuscany. Here, amidst high-altitude meadows, glacial lakes, and dense beech woods, thousands of people climb the mountain every year around Ferragosto to experience a day dedicated to nature and traditions.
In the heart of the Park of the Hundred Lakes
The event takes place in the territory of the Park of the Hundred Lakes (Cedra and Parma Valleys Regional Park), a protected area recognized by UNESCO as a MAB Biosphere Reserve (Man and the Biosphere) and awarded the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism. Appenninfest was created precisely to enhance this environmental heritage: not a noisy mass event, but a festival that invites you to discover the Apennines in a slow and conscious way.
What to do at Appenninfest
The main day in Prato Spilla offers a rich program for all tastes and ages:
- Guided hikes to discover the trails, lakes, and panoramic views of the Apennine ridge, accompanied by environmental guides;
- High-altitude market with typical mountain products: cheeses, honey, jams, herbs, and local crafts;
- Tastings of cured meats and gastronomic specialties from the Parma area;
- Live music and concerts, often part of the "Parchi e Musica" (Parks and Music) review;
- Workshops and meetings dedicated to water, nature, and life in the Apennines;
- Activities for children and entertainment for families, to experience the mountains from an early age.
Waiting for Appenninfest
The festival is traditionally preceded by the evening event "Aspettando Appenninfest" (Waiting for Appenninfest), held in Monchio delle Corti in Piazza Ca' Boneto: a first meeting to warm up the atmosphere before the big day in Prato Spilla. The event is organized by Assapora Appennino, a community tourism agency, in collaboration with the Park and local entities of the Val Cedra.
Appenninfest is now a historic event of the Parma Apennine summer, capable of combining gentle sports, culture, food and wine, and love for the mountains in a single unforgettable day.
Appenninfest — edition 2026
Appenninfest 2026 in Prato Spilla
The date for the 2026 edition is confirmed for Thursday, August 14 in Prato Spilla, a mountain resort in Monchio delle Corti (PR), with the usual opening evening "Aspettando Appenninfest" the day before in Monchio, in Piazza Ca' Boneto.
Following the trend of past editions, the day will feature guided hikes along the trails of the Park of the Hundred Lakes, the high-altitude market with typical products and crafts, tastings of cured meats and Apennine specialties, musical moments, and numerous activities for children and families.
The detailed program with times, scheduled hikes, and musical events will be published by the organizers (Assapora Appennino and the Park) in the weeks preceding the event: it is advisable to consult the official channels before heading up to the mountains.
Programme Appenninfest 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including times, guided hikes, musical events, and activities for children, will be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event. Based on previous editions, the day in Prato Spilla on August 14 will run from morning (around 9:30 AM) until evening with guided hikes, a high-altitude market, tastings of typical products, and musical moments; the previous evening, August 13, the "Aspettando Appenninfest" evening will be held in Monchio delle Corti.
Highlights Appenninfest 2026
- Guided hikes in the Park of the Hundred Lakes
- High-altitude market with typical Apennine products
- Tastings of cured meats and Parma specialties
- Live music and activities for children
- "Aspettando Appenninfest" evening in Monchio delle Corti on August 13
Prices Appenninfest 2026
Practical information — Appenninfest
How to get there
Prato Spilla can be reached by car from Parma, driving up the Val Cedra to Monchio delle Corti (about 1 hour and 15 minutes), then continuing along the mountain road that leads to the location at 1350 meters above sea level. It is advisable to leave early: parking at altitude is limited and on festival days, the influx is high.
When
The event is traditionally held around Ferragosto, usually on August 14th in Prato Spilla, preceded by the "Aspettando Appenninfest" evening the day before in Monchio delle Corti.
Tips
Even in the height of summer, temperatures can be cool at altitude: bring a sweatshirt and comfortable trekking shoes if you want to participate in the guided hikes. Most activities are free or open to all.
Information
Municipality of Monchio delle Corti, tel. +39 0521 896521. Organization: Assapora Appennino.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Appenninfest
Prato Spilla