Barboj Rivalta
- Travelling time: 3 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Why we love it: It’s an invitation to slow down, to rediscover the beauty of simplicity, and to reconnect with the land and its history. An experience that transforms you, giving back a sense of harmony and wonder.
- Length: 8 km
- Total Elevation Gain: 193 m
- Way to travel: on foot, mountain bike or e-bike
- Cost: 0€
- Our Advice: Take your time walking slowly, soaking in the scenery of the Barboj and listening to the bubbling sound of mud emerging from the ground.
A few kilometers from Lesignano de’ Bagni, in the gentle hills south of Parma, you can discover a surprising place: the Barboj Park of Rivalta. It's not just a green, natural area, but a true treasure trove of biodiversity, characterized by the presence of small mud volcanoes.
This park, a unique geosite, preserves a rare phenomenon: the most impressive bubbling salt mud pools in western Emilia, also known as the Salse of Rivalta and Torre. Their gurgling emissions, from which the Rio dei Barboj gets its name (from the sound “barbogli” of the gas and mud), tell ancient stories from the underground, woven together with clay and sand landscapes, prairies, junipers, and sparse woods.
The territory is a mosaic of environments: from special prairies where halophytic plants compete to survive in arid and saline conditions, to sessile oak and hop-hornbeam woods, and to reed beds rich in rare species.
Here, nature reveals itself in its wildest and most complex form, with abundant birds of prey such as merlins and black kites, and many other bird and mammal species that live in harmony with the land.
The park is also a living lab for coexistence between agriculture and nature. The emissions of gas and mud interact with cultivated fields, creating a shifting cycle that tells the story of this ecosystem’s resilience.
Six habitats of community interest are protected here, witnesses of a precious nature to discover and respect!
Loop trail from Lesignano de’ Bagni to Barboj Park
We start off briskly from the center of Lesignano de’ Bagni, with the sun already high, promising a bright and warm day. A reminder: it’s best to tackle this trail when the ground is dry and outside the summer season, as there’s hardly any shade along the way. But today is perfect.
We leave the village by taking a quiet side road, gently ascending toward Rivalta. We walk surrounded by open countryside, with cultivated fields on both sides and the hills beginning to roll around us. The asphalt soon gives way to a more rustic surface, and the silence of nature begins to envelop us.
Once in Rivalta, a small village overlooking the valley, we pause for a moment to catch our breath and enjoy the view already opening behind us. From here, we follow a dirt cart track that gently descends into the heart of the trail: the Barboj Park.
The path winds through light, clay-rich badlands, until suddenly we find ourselves before the Barboj, small bubbling mud springs. They’re like tiny volcanoes, modest yet fascinating, slowly bubbling in silence. We stop for a few minutes to observe them, hypnotized by their slow, constant motion.
We resume the walk following the loop trail. The climb is now gentler, and the dry terrain helps us keep a good pace. After crossing stretches of dirt paths, we reach the area of Casa Cantone, where the landscape opens up again, offering views of more distant hills.
From here begins the final stretch, the most “adventurous.” The official trail is now impassable, overrun by brambles, so we have to cross a private property—following local informal agreements—and walk along the field edges. We do so respectfully, staying on the margin and taking care not to trample the crops. It’s a slightly unusual passage, but it allows us to close the loop without retracing our steps.
We finally reach Casa Rabbiosi, and from there we reconnect to the road leading back to Lesignano de’ Bagni, completing the loop. Our legs are tired but satisfied, and the afternoon light begins to stretch over the golden fields. A simple yet charming route, perfect for cooler seasons, with dry ground underfoot and a clear sky overhead.
Where to stay eco-friendly near Rivalta
For those who wish to extend the experience and fully enjoy this corner of paradise, there are eco-sustainable accommodations that combine environmental respect with the warmth of family hospitality.
BB Cancabaia Parma – Santa Maria del Piano
An ancient 17th-century farmhouse in the Parma countryside, just 15 minutes from the city. Here, a simple yet comfortable environment welcomes you—ideal for those who love silence and nature. Breakfast is a true celebration of local flavors, with organic jams, homemade cakes, cold cuts, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Pets welcome, terrace for relaxing, and opportunities to explore woods and fields on foot or by bike.
Casa Vacanze del Masdone – Lesignano de’ Bagni
An apartment in a renovated rural building, perfect for those seeking peace and contact with nature. Surrounded by hills and trails for hiking and mountain biking, you can experience farm life by participating in harvests and preserves-making, tasting local products, and visiting historic castles and parish churches.
B&B Casa dei Cuori – Langhirano
Nestled in the woods at 570 meters above sea level, it's the ideal refuge for those who want to disconnect from the chaos. With a private entrance, spacious rooms, and essential furnishings, here you’ll hear only the sounds of nature. Breakfast is made with local and organic products, and heating is natural—wood and solar powered. Among deer and foxes, relaxation is guaranteed, just a short distance from Torrechiara Castle and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park.
Cover image: photo via Canva PRO
