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Walking holidays in the beautiful Garfagnana, Tuscany. |
Walking in Italy
Sample Itinerary June, August & September
"Five walks in seven days sounds a lot but not if thought given to the routes beforehand. We started early - 9.00 ish and generally finished between 3 and 4 with adequate stops in between. All the walks were varied some more demanding than others but our guide quickly got the measure of our ability and paced them accordingly."
From the soaring peaks of the Alpi Apuane to the alpine meadows of the Orecchiella and the hilltop villages of the Garfagnana, Tuscany Walking have some stunning walks that will let you experience the full variety of scenery that this region of Northern Tuscany has to offer.
Our English walking guide lives locally and is an experienced walker in this area. We can offer you walks that you are unlikely to find anywhere else, even on local maps!
Many of our walks are also accompanied by Italian CAI members who, with a lifetime of experience in the hills and mountains of the area, are never short of an interesting, moving or amusing anecdote or two which we hope will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
We are based near Barga and so have the flexiblity to be able to tailor walks to the needs of a particular group or weather conditions which other larger companies are not always able to do.
Please note, our self catering itinerary runs from Saturday to Saturday and allows two free days. Airport transfers are not included.
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CAI autumn path clearing
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Day 1
Arrival at Pisa airport. Drive north up the Serchio valley to your base within the medieval walls of Barga Vecchia.
Once settled in your accommodation, lunch, then there may be an opportunity for a stroll around the old town before we assemble in the early evening for dinner at a local restaurant.
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Day 2 Chestnuts and Churches
Easy - Barga, Loppia, Tiglio, Barga
A walk from Barga to Loppia to explore the 12th century church of S. Maria.
From here we walk on part of the centuries old mule track network that criss-crosses the Garfagnana to the village of Filecchio and then uphill to the village of Tiglio.
From Tiglio we drop into the chestnut woods that cloak the foothills of the Appenines and walk back to Barga
4 hours,
7-8 km
Medium - Barga, towards Bebbio, Tiglio, Loppia, Barga
A walk that heads up into the lower slopes of the Appenines before turning across the hills to arrive at the village of Tiglio.
We then take the same route as the easier walk but in the opposite direction, visiting Filecchio and Loppia before arriving back in Barga Vecchia.
5 hours,
9-10 km
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Day 3 High Ground and History
Easy - San Pellegrino, Le Lame, Monte Albano, Monte Spicchio
We start from the village of San pellegrino high on the Tuscany - Emilio Romagna border which is home to the 12th century sanctuary and mummified remains of both S. Pellegrino and S. Bianco.
We walk gently uphill through magnificent stretches of beech woods until we come to the almost meadow like border summits.
From here we have almost endless views east into the Region which is home to Parma Ham and Parmiggiano Reggiano cheeses as well as west to the mountains of the Apuane and the Mediterranean beyond.
4 hours
10 km
Medium - Rifugio Vetricia, Laga Santo, Rifugio Vetricia
We walk for up to 50 minutes through beech and birch woods along forest track until we come onto the open mountainside above Barga.
We walk higher along the always well-defined path until we reach the obvious passing point into the neighbouring Region of Emilio Romagna and from here we walk down in the shadow of Monte Giovo to the idyllic Lago Santo.
We spend some time simply enjoying the lake surroundings before returning to the rifugio at Vetricia.
On the way we enjoy changing views north along the Appenine range, south towards the Lucca plain and Livorno, east towards the Abetone ski resort mountains, and west to the Apuane and the Mediterranean.
5 hours
10 km
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Day 4
Free Day
Guests are free to do as much or as little as they want.
For culture buffs Pisa is just over an hour away and Florence an extra 40 minutes, you could even take a trip to Lucca to enjoy a longer view of the cathedral and the Puccini museum.
For those wishing a day at the seaside the resorts of Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi are also within 90 minutes.
The marble quarries at Carrara are less than 90 minutes, and for those who wish to have a more leisurely day, the local towns of Barga and Castelnuovo di Garfagnana are well worth visiting for window-shopping and relaxing.
Lunch and Dinner are at the discretion of the individual although we will be pleased to recommend and book dinner at a local restaurant for those who wish. |
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Day 5 Memorials and Medals
Easy/Medium - Barga, Sommocolonia, Barga
This walk in part retraces the dramatic evacuation route that the villagers of Sommocolonia took on the night of December 25/26 1944.
We fully explore the village, a populated site for nearly 2000 years, and the stories behind the events that reduced a working village with a pre-war population of 500 to a hill-top hamlet with less than 50 permanent inhabitants.
4 - 4 1/2, hours
8 km |
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Day 6 Mountains and the Mediterranean
Easy - Monte Nona and Monte Procinto
This walk starts deep in the Alpe Apuane, the range of mountains and hills that separates the Garfagnana and the Mediterranean.
We start from the Rifugio Alto Matanna and walk to the pass through Callare Matanna to soak up the views down to the coast.
From here we continue down to the base Monte Procinto and her two "children", three spectacular columns of rock.
We walk back to the Garfagnana side of the mountains via the Foce delle Porchette and continue on gently downhill to our start point.
4 hours
7 km
Medium - Monte Matanna and Monte Procinto
Starting from the Rifugio Alto Matanna as above we set out on the path which travels around the flanks of Monte Matanna, enjoying on the way extensive views to the south and west of the Mediterranean coastline.
We walk under the west-facing cliffs of Monte Matanna and Monte Nona before lunching at the Rifugio Forte dei Marmi in the shadow of Monte Procinto.
From here we take a similar route as the "easy" walk back to our start point at the rifugio.
5 hours
10 km |
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Day 7 Saints, Seasons and Submerged Villages
Easy - Vagli Sotto, Lago di Vagli Dam
A walk that skirts the Lago di Vagli starting from the ENEL dam and ending at the village of Vagli Sotto. Following the flooding of the valley to create the lake, the village stands on a headland which juts into the lake and from certain angles appears to be an island.
We also walk past the site of the now submerged village of Fabricche di Careggine which is only visible every ten years when the lake is emptied for maintenance.
4 hours
8 km
Medium - Vagli Sopra, Campocatino, Vagli Sopra ( to include the hermitage of S. Viano)
A long time for a relatively short walk but this area needs plenty of time to explore both the deserted shepherd village of Campocatino as well as the cliff face hermitage of S. Viano.
This walk uncovers the almost semi-nomadic way of life that existed for centuries for the sheep and goat herders of Tuscany and the connection with a 13th century hermit and saint.
Although shorter than the easier route this walk takes in steeper gradients.
4 - 5 hours
7 - 8 km |
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Day 8
Depart for Pisa airport. |
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Equipment
Essential
Walking boots with good ankle support
Comfortable padded walking socks
Waterproofs - the weather can turn with very little warning
Sun cream - a high factor is recommended.
Sun hat.
A small rucksack - 30 litres max
Useful
European mainland enabled mobile phone
Small pair of binoculars
Lightweight camera
Sun glasses
Insect repellent creams and/or sprays
Phrase book
Maps - Edizioni Multigraphic series - Appennino Toscoemiliano, Sheets 15, 18 and Alpi Apuane Sheets 101, 102
Fleece
Walking Poles
Blister packs
A reasonable level of general fitness!!! |
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