The Brigands' Night

A night walk in the footsteps of brigands

The Brigands' Night is one of the most beloved summer events in the Piacenza Hills: a non-competitive night walk that, on the June full moon night, leads participants from the medieval village of Vigoleno to the ancient Pieve di Vernasca, in the Municipality of Vernasca, in the province of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna. Founded in 2011, the event has gained an increasingly large audience over the years, exceeding a thousand participants per edition and gathering "brigands" of all ages along the trails of the Val d'Arda.

The route

The route measures approximately 8.3 kilometers with an elevation gain of about 387 meters. It starts from Vigoleno square, initially crossing a paved section before venturing along a charming dirt path that runs along the ridge, bordered by woods, vineyards, and meadows, passing through the localities of Groppo and Baroni before reaching Vernasca. It is a medium-difficulty itinerary, to be tackled calmly, designed to be experienced as a collective experience rather than a sporting challenge.

Atmosphere and entertainment along the way

What makes The Brigands' Night special is the entertainment that accompanies the walkers throughout the journey. Along the route, you will find:

• refreshment points with typical products from the Piacenza area;
• impromptu accordions and folk songs by moonlight;
• fire shows and theatrical surprises in the woods;
• scenic views of the Val d'Arda hills illuminated by the moon.

The final party in Vernasca

The arrival at the Pieve di Vernasca marks the beginning of the big party: a pasta dish for all participants and an evening of live music and DJ sets that liven up the square until late at night. The final party is also open free of charge to those who did not walk the route, transforming the event into a moment of community for the entire village.

Solidarity and territory

The event, organized by the association ArdaTrek with the support of the Municipality of Vernasca, also has a solidarity mission: part of the proceeds are donated to AIRC for cancer research. An event that combines gentle hiking, tradition, gastronomy, and the enhancement of the Piacenza hilly landscape.