Bismantova Meet
The Italian Academic Alpine Club's climbing gathering at the Pietra di Bismantova
About Bismantova Meet
A Climbing Gathering on Dante's Mountain
The Bismantova Meet is the gathering that the Italian Academic Alpine Club (CAAI) dedicates to young climbers, and in 2026 it chose the Pietra di Bismantova as its venue, the unmistakable sandstone ridge that dominates the Reggio Emilia Apennines. Its distinctive shape, so unique it was mentioned by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy, makes it one of Italy's most beloved and historic rock climbing spots, a destination for generations of climbers.
The Spirit of CAAI: Opening the Doors of Mountaineering to Young People
The initiative stems from the Italian Academic Alpine Club's desire to introduce young people to high-level mountaineering in a context of comparison and growth. After the first editions held in Valle del Sarca, in Arco, the travelling gathering arrives for the first time in Castelnovo ne' Monti, in the heart of the Province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna. For this occasion, around forty young female and male climbers from various CAI schools are invited, accompanied by about twenty tutors and organisational representatives, for a total of over one hundred participants.
Three Days of Rock and Stories
The programme alternates days of free climbing on the routes of the Pietra, independently and with the support of local tutors and climbers, with public evenings open to the entire community. These evenings are when the gathering becomes a community celebration: meetings, screenings, and stories about Apennine mountaineering liven up the headquarters of Croce Verde and CAI in Castelnovo Monti, on via dei Partigiani.
A Weekend of Sport, Nature, and Tourism
The Bismantova Meet is part of a weekend packed with events for Castelnovo ne' Monti, which also hosts the Bruno Levrini Memorial at the same time. The event thus combines sport, nature, and tourism, bringing an audience of enthusiasts to the Reggio Emilia Apennines and celebrating one of Emilia-Romagna's iconic landscapes.
- Free climbing on the walls of the Pietra di Bismantova
- Tutoring by experienced mountaineers and local climbers
- Public evenings of mountaineering history and stories
- Concluding event with greetings, raffle, and refreshments
Bismantova Meet — edition 2026
The 2026 edition brought the Italian Academic Alpine Club's climbing gathering to Emilia-Romagna for the first time, after its initial editions hosted in Valle del Sarca. At the Pietra di Bismantova, 45 young men and women from CAI schools met, accompanied by about twenty tutors, for a weekend of independent climbing and exchange with experienced mountaineers.
The weekend combined sport, nature, and tourism in Castelnovo ne' Monti, coinciding with the Bruno Levrini Memorial, confirming the Pietra as one of the most beloved rock climbing spots in the Apennines.
Programme Bismantova Meet 2026
Friday, April 17th
- Registration and Welcome: from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM and from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Croce Verde and CAI headquarters, via dei Partigiani 10
- Free climbing on the Pietra di Bismantova with the support of tutors and local climbers
- Dinner from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
- 9:15 PM — Opening evening "Mountaineering History of Bismantova" with Gino Montipò, Gian Paolo Montermini, Alessandro Fiori, and Benedetta Lucarelli, moderated by Luca Calvi
Saturday, April 18th
- Day of free climbing on the routes of the Pietra
- Dinner from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
- 9:15 PM — Evening "Stories and Anecdotes of Apennine Mountaineering" with Alberto Rampini, Francesco Cintori, and Marco Furlani
Sunday, April 19th
- Final climbs on the Pietra
- 3:30 PM — Concluding gathering with greetings, raffle, and refreshments
Highlights Bismantova Meet 2026
Prices Bismantova Meet 2026
Practical information — Bismantova Meet
How to Get There
Castelnovo ne' Monti can be reached by car from the Via Emilia (Reggio Emilia) by taking the SS63 towards the Cerreto Pass, in about an hour. The Pietra di Bismantova is just a few minutes from the town centre. The operational headquarters of the gathering is at Croce Verde and CAI, in via dei Partigiani 10.
When
The gathering takes place on a weekend in mid-April, from Friday to Sunday. The public evenings are free to attend at the CAI headquarters.
Tips
Climbing on the Pietra is reserved for participants of the gathering and for those who are adequately equipped and experienced; for all others, the hiking trails around the Pietra and the evening public gatherings remain accessible.
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Where does it take place — Bismantova Meet
Pietra di Bismantova
Via dei Partigiani 10, 42035 Castelnovo ne' Monti