The Sella of Valoria is located about 2 km from the Cisa Pass, heading east along the Apennine ridge that forms the watershed between Lunigiana and the valleys of Parma.

Archaeological research conducted since 2012 has shown that this pass was frequented during the pre-Roman and Roman periods, at least up until the Lombard era when King Liutprando founded the Abbey of Berceto and reorganised the road network through the current Cisa Pass.

Excavations carried out along the ridge have led to the discovery of over 300 Roman coins, mosaic tiles, small votive images, ceramic fragments, and pieces of Roman military clothing, along with finds from the Celtic-Ligurian and early medieval periods.

Monte Valoria was for centuries the main crossing point for the routes connecting Luni and the Val di Magra with the Po Valley through the Apennines.

Today, the ancient Roman pass lies along the official route of the Via Francigena, which runs from Berceto to the Cisa Pass.