La Collina: Parmigiano, Trails and Culture
Accommodation in La Collina
La Collina can be discovered through several hands-on experiences: a tour of the Latteria Sociale La Collina dairy, a tasting of regional products, and trails and cultural attractions around Massa. The area is especially easy to understand where food production is not an abstraction but unfolds visibly, step by step.
A glimpse into Parmigiano production
During a guided tour of the dairy, you can watch the milk being processed, from heating and forming the curds to salting. The tour lasts about an hour and ends with a tasting. If you want to see every stage of production, arrival by 09:30 is recommended. Tours can be booked from Tuesday to Sunday; advance booking is mandatory. Check the booking details before you travel.
The tasting includes the main ageing stages of Parmigiano Reggiano. This lets you compare different ages and connects them directly to the stages of production you have just seen. Ricotta and other typical products of the Appennino Reggiano are also available. The Latteria Sociale La Collina shop also sells its own products and local specialities made by small artisan producers in the surrounding area.
Agriculture and local products
Agriculture in La Collina also involves a younger generation: today, nine farms run by young people work as livestock breeders and Parmigiano Reggiano producers. They follow the teachings of their grandparents. This combination of inherited knowledge and young farm owners offers a distinct perspective on regional cheese production, complementing the firsthand experience at the dairy.
You can also have lunch at Ristorante La Collina, which is associated with the dairy. The restaurant is 2 km from the Capoluogo of Toano. Reach it via the SP 8 towards Cerredolo, then take the turnoff to Massa. If you plan to have lunch there, check the booking arrangements in advance.
Trails and culture around Massa
The Sentiero DELLA PASQUA DI SANGUE passes through La Collina and then continues uphill on a road to Massa. It offers a different perspective on the area than a visit with a tasting. Check the trail conditions before setting out on a hike.
In the area around La Collina, the Pro Loco di Massa organizes the Festa dell'Antica Trebbiatura in July. If the festival is important to your travel dates, check the specific event days. Another trace of local cultural history is the Chiesa di San Michele di Massa, also called the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo. It is probably of Matildic origin—a description that deliberately retains this uncertainty.
How your choice of accommodation is shaped by the experiences you want
When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to decide first what kind of daily schedule you want. The dairy tour requires a confirmed reservation, and an early arrival is recommended if you want to see every stage of production. If you are more interested in trails and culture, you can include the route to Massa and the July festival in your plans.
Discover more destinations: Vezzano Sul Crostolo, Castellazzo, Canossa, Campegine, Poviglio, Cerredolo, Montecatini, Gualtieri.
For the broader travel overview: Reggio Emilia.
