Monte Caio

Mt. Caio is a peak in the Parma Apennines geographically located between the municipalities of Palanzano, Tizzano Val Parma and Corniglio and culminating in Bocchialini Peak at an elevation of 1,584 meters; the peak is located in the municipality of Palanzano.

It is the mountain with height above 1,500 meters closest to the provincial capital Parma.

On its slopes, at an elevation of 1,250 m in the territory of the municipality of Tizzano Val Parma, is the ski resort of Schia, equipped with three lifts, including a new two-seater chairlift, serving about 15 km of slopes.

Mt. Caio is rich in forests, pastures and fountains, including one that springs below the hermitage of St. Matthew and collects in a tree trunk. At an elevation of 1,450 m there is a small pond fed by an underground spring.

There are many scenic spots and picturesque trails for hiking, horseback riding or mountain biking, including a Downhill MTB track built in 2008.In an area of the mountain called Costa Grande there is also one of the most important paragliding take-off areas in Italy.

In an area of Caio towards Agna di Corniglio there is a centuries-old plant that leaves tourists who come to admire it astonished by its grandeur. It is one of the oldest beech trees in Europe, called the "great beech" by local residents.

Many streams and torrents originate from the slopes of the mountain. The most important are: the Bardea stream, which originates near Lake Ore and flows eastward to reach the Enza stream in the locality of Ranzano; and the Parmossa stream, which originates from the pian della Giara and heads northwest to reach the Parma stream in the locality of Pastorello di Langhirano.

The contours of the mountain are defined by the Parma valley to the northwest, the Bratica valley to the southwest, the Cedra valley to the south, and the Enza valley to the east.

A very heartfelt tradition among the inhabitants of the surrounding areas is to participate, on September 21 each year, in the feast of St. Matthew in the municipality of Palanzano by walking to the saint's hermitage, located near the summit, via the Dragolare trail.