Mount Cusna

Monte Cusna
Approaching the summit of Monte Cusna
Highest point
Elevation	2,120 m (6,960 ft)
Prominence	731
Coordinates	44°28′58″N 10°39′33″E / 44.48278°N 10.65917°E / 44.48278; 10.65917Coordinates: 44°28′58″N 10°39′33″E / 44.48278°N 10.65917°E / 44.48278; 10.65917
Geography
Monte Cusna Location in Italy
Location	Province of Reggio Emilia, Italy
Parent range	Tuscan-Emilian Apennines

Monte Cusna is the 2nd highest peak in the northern Apennines after Monte Cimone. But, it is much steeper and more remote.

The mountain is located along the Appennino Crest Trail (A00) between Cerreto and Lagastrello Passes, with an altitude of 2,120 metres (6,960 ft). It si also known as Uomo Morto (Italian: "Dead Man"), "Uomo che Dorme" ("Sleeping Man") or "Il Gigante" ("The Giant") for its appearance, resembling a lying man.

The peak is situated in the comune of Villa Minozzo, some 3 kilometers from the boundary of Emilia Romagna with Tuscany. It contains a population of Alpine marmots, as well as, herds of semi-wild horses that graze on its slopes.

The imposing mountain range, visible from the Po Valley, is formed by the Monte Cusna and secondary peaks of the Sasso of the Dead (2078 m) and Mount La Piella (2071 m). The mountain ridge forms the characteristic profile that resembles that of a man stretched out, said Dead Man or Giant. From the latter name is named after the protected area of the former Gigante Park, now part of the National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. It lies to the north of the main ridge of the Apennines between Tuscany and Emilia, separated by the valley of the river Ozola.

Abetina Reale Abetina Reale is a coniferous forest that grows on the eastern side of the Cusna, on the right side of the High Valley Dolo river, and extends to the Apennine ridge. The forest is characterized by ancient specimens of white spruce survived centuries of forest exploitation.

Prati di Sara (Sara meadows) Surrounded by beech, Prati di Sara is a beautiful high moorland that stretches along the west side of the mountain, especially impressive during flowering and autumn. The name comes from a character from history and legend, a housekeeper, it is said of a concubine of the Marquis of Piolo Bernardi, who possessed Casalino from mid-seventeenth century.to the end of the eighteenth century.

Cascate del Lavacchiello The Rio Lavacchiello born near Lago del Caricatore in the area of Prati di Sara and descends along the west side of the mountain to the valley of the river Ozola. The steep slope gives rise to a series of waterfalls, spectacular especially in spring during the melting of snow and autumn.

Costa Veline On the south-west of the mountain is Costa Veline, a large forest of beech, the most important of the National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, which preserves ancient trees.