Mountains of Tuscany
The marble mountains of Tuscany's Apuane range rear up from the Ligurian Sea to heights over 1800m, before dropping sharply into the almost-magical Garfagnana valley. We base ourselves in the heart of the valley from where we explore the less visited yet spectacular trails that wind through the Apuane and, to the east, the more familiar Appennine range. We also have the opportunity to walk along the pastel-coloured shore of the stunning Cinque Terre.
LAND OF THE ENCHANTED FOREST
Heading north from historic Lucca we enter an almost-secret valley, one which jealously guards its traditional way of Tuscan mountain life - the Garfagnana, 'Land of the Enchanted Forest'. Our base is near the walled town of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, the perfect spot from which to explore the high trails that wind their way through the marble mountains of the Apuane. This national park and that of its neighbour, the Orrechiella, form a dramatic, protected wilderness with peaks up to and over 1800m; our hikes take us to the highest of these for stunning views of glaciated valleys and the Apennines beyond.
LUCCA & THE CINQUE TERRE
The middle of our week is punctuated by a free day where you can explore the nearby town of Lucca, with its network of twisting back streets, or Barga, a hilltop town of traditional ochre-coloured Tuscan townhouses. Our recommendation however would be a walk along the dramatic coastline of the Cinque Terre, just a short train-ride away. Here pastel-coloured villages - all-but inaccessible except on foot - cling precariously to cliffs above the sea.
APUANE & APENNINES
Day to day with so many trails on offer we have a wide choice of walks to choose from. We could trek to the Orto di Donna, a beautiful glacial valley, or beneath the highest peak of the Alpi Apuane, Monte Pisanino, 1946m. Such peaks are high enough to afford protection to a variety of wildlife from wild boar to deer, mouflon, eagles and even wolves. Each day we'll be rewarded with magnificent views down to the coast, across to the opposite range and along the valley before we return to our traditional agriturismo, itself a working farmstead, to relax by the pool perhaps with a cold beer and look forward to an evening meal of traditional Tuscan cuisine.
|
|
|
|
|
Details |
| |
Price Includes |
(MT-6223-P) |
| |
 |
Flights ( London - Pisa - London ) |
|
Accomodation ( Agriturismo lodge) |
|
7 breakfasts |
|
7 Lunches |
|
6 Dinners |
|
| |
Price Excludes |
|
| |
Local Payment 180 Euro |
|
| |
Suitability / Level |
Easy |
| |
Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
| |
|
| |
Itinerary
& Highlights |
| |
Among the many highlights featured on this tour, we particularly mention:
GARFAGNANA VALLEY
Stunning Tuscan mountain countryside and 7 nights stay at a traditional agriturismo.
WALKING THE TRAILS
Day walks out amongst the hills and valleys of the Apuane & the Apennines.
THE CINQUE TERRA
Optional walking along the spectacular :5 villages” coast.
LUCCA
Optional visit to this famous walled city.
DAY 1. SUNDAY. JOIN TOUR PISA.
Transfer to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana Arriving in Pisa today we transfer to our accommodation close to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, where we will spend the next 7 nights. On arrival we will enjoy a traditional dinner and sample for ourselves some of the food and wine for which this region is justifiably famous.
Basing ourselves in the lovely setting of a family run farm, set in the beautiful and lush Serchio River valley, we will spend the next few days surrounded by the magnificent scenery of the Appennines and the Alpi Apuane. Our accommodation will be in a restored 19th century stable house, with terracotta tiled floors and wood ceilings and we can expect to sample some delicious
local fare during our stay here, including locally produced meats, freshly made breads and home made jams.
DAY 2. TREK TO THE SUMMIT OF PANIA DELL LA CROCE (1865m)
Today we head off into the Alpi Apuane, a nature reserve set amidst spectacular mountain scenery, for a trek up one of the more impressive peaks in the area. From the refuge we take a trail that ascends via an impressive rocky ravine onto the ridgeline that leads up to the Nose of the Mountain formation, part of the “Dead Man of the Garfagnana” and, hopefully, a welcome coffee at the Refuge Rossi at 1500m. If tired there is an option to wait at the refuge, while others ascend to the peak of the Pania (1865m) and from where we get on to the main ridge for one of the best views around.
Great views of the coast, the marble quarries of Carrara, and inland back into the Garfagnana and the Appennine chain await us at the top. We return to the refuge and descend by a different route, returning back to Castelnuovo via the Refuge of Mosceta and a lovely scenic route back towards the Piglionico and our original start point. From here we return to the agriturismo for drinks and dinner. Total walking time approx 6 hours
DAY 3. WALKING IN THE ALPI APUANE NATIONAL PARK
Another day in the Alpi Apuane National Park affords us the opportunity to explore the northern end of the valley of the Garfagnana, heading for an area known as the Orto di Donna. From this beautiful glacial valley we ascend towards the Foce di Cardeto, a route that will require us to navigate some small scrambling sections, as we head for some great views of the surrounding landscape, with the highest peak of the Alpi Apuane, Monte Pisanino, looming above us.
From Cardeto we traverse towards the new refugio under the peak of Grondilice, before crossing over the main mountain chain and Monte Grondilice and Cavallo, to be rewarded with some amazing sea views. Passing over the Foce di Giovo and past the Peak of Pizzo D’Uccello we descend back into the Orto di Donna via the marble quarries, to our waiting bus below. Total walking time approx 6 hours.
DAY 4. HIKING THE APPENNINES; MT PRADO, LAKE BARGETANA & RIFUGIO BATTISTI
Today we head to the Appennines and the winter ski resort of Casone (1315m). From Casone we take the trail that leads us up onto the main Appennine ridge line and our trek towards Monte Prado (2054m), Tuscany’s highest peak. Walking along the main ridgeline, bagging peaks as we go, we arrive on the top of Prado, set in the middle of the national park of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna.
Our exertions are rewarded with some spectacular views across the full chain of the Alpi Apuane and, if the weather is clear, even as far as the islands of Corsica and Elba, and to the Dolomites and Alps to the north. From Monte Prado we descend via Lake Bargetana to Rifugio Battisti for a hot drink, before crossing back over the main ridge and descending back to Casone. Total walking time approx 6.5 hours.
DAY 5. FREE DAY
Much of the Garfagnana region is national parkland, unspoilt wilderness that is home to deer, boar, martens and eagles, and today has been left free to explore further as your mood takes you. Alternatively you may like to venture further afield and visit the hilltop town of Barga or Lucca by train. Lucca, set on the Lucchese Plain, was once a Roman colony. Today it stands as a city of Romanesque churches, ancient Roman ruins and Renaissance architecture. Enclosed within city walls the red roofed town is a
delightful mix of narrow lanes and easy charm.
For those keen on more walking another option is to take the train to the stunning Cinque Terre coast, where tiny villages nestle amongst sheer cliffs to create one of the riviera ‘s most scenic delights. The area is a World Heritage Site and its five villages present the perfect picturesque setting for your walk. Walking through villages you follow scenic paths, traversing a truly stunning landscape, with the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean glistening below.
In Manarola, you can enjoy a coffee and some focaccia, before continuing to the villages of Corniglia and Vernazza, where you might like to take lunch. There are options here to relax and enjoy the ambience of this small port, take a walk through the olive groves and lemon orchards of the surrounding area, or even take a 40-minute boat ride to nearby Monterosso. Leaving Vernazza you can continue, either by foot, train or boat to Monterosso, where there should be time to relax and enjoy the warm clear waters, before taking a train back to the Garfagnana, via La Spezia.
DAY 6. WALKING IN THE ORECCHIELLA NATURAL PARK
Today we enjoy a circular walk through the natural park of the Orecchiella. Ascending from the start point in Pruno (1000m) we make our way to the summit of the Pania del Corfino (1609m) via waymarked walking routes through a beautiful landscape of
beach forests.
From the summit the views across the lower valley are simply stunning, affording us a bird’s eye view of our walking route over the past week. From the top we descend again, via the village of Campaiana, following a beautiful walking trail via the “Fountain of Love” and the gorge that runs beside the village of Corfino. Finishing our walk back at the bus we may be able to avail ourselves of the hospitality of a local bar before we return to the farm for dinner. Total walking time approx 5.5 hours.
DAY 7. MONTE TAMBURA TREK
For our final walk of the week, we head once more towards the inspiring peaks of the Alpi Apuane and a route to the summit of Monte Tambura, “Drum Mountain” (1895m). After a drive of some 30 minutes to the start point, we depart from the shepherds’ village of Campocatino, lying amongst the hills some 1000m above sea level. From here we head out onto the waymarked trail that will allows us to circuit this great peak, our route taking us via a small chain section that leads us onto the trail up to the Passo Tambura via the old medieval trading route of the Via Vandelli.
A traditional route that crossed the mountains from Massa to Modena in the 12th and 13th centuries, this trail has been recently restored back to its original cobbled and paved state. From the pass we head up, having to resort to some scrambling in places, as we make our way to the Peak of Tambura. The views as we climb offer us some spectacular panoramas of the coast and the beautiful vistas of the Garfagnana. Reaching the summit we’ll take lunch, before descending once more via Passo di Foccolaccia and the great marble quarries, before taking the trail back to Campocatino. Total walking time approx 6.5 hours.
DAY 8. SUNDAY. TOUR ENDS PISA AIRPORT
Transferring back to Pisa this morning our tour ends on arrival back at the airport. |
| |
|
Accommodation
& Centre Details |
| |
7 Nights in Agriturismo accomodation. |
| |
|
|
| |
Holidays
Extras |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Included
