Walking Northern Tuscany

This tour starts at Agriturismo Braccicorti, approximately 4mi (6km) from Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and two hours from Pisa Airport. Refresh with a dip in the pool or take a short walk to discover the grounds surrounding the property. Around 6pm, say ciao to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over our first group dinner. If you want to extend your adventure, consider booking additional nights in Pisa or Florence where there is so much to see. Speak to your sales representative for more information.

A short drive from Braccicorti is the small village of Pruno, several thatched cottages once used as a stop for ‘salt travellers’ bringing salt from the Versilia coast to Moderna on foot. This is the start of our walk into Orecchiella National Park and our ascent under a canopy of beech trees. Following an ancient shepherds’ route, we arrive at our first proper view of the valley, before a short ascent out of the trees and onto the summit of Pania di Corfino for 360-degree views. After a picnic lunch, we descend to the 16th-century village of Campaiana and follow a route of two secret lovers along Fonte dell’Amore. Here, we may see golden eagles before re-entering the beech forest back to our start point. Walking distance: 7.5mi (12km); ascent: 2,700ft (825m); descent: 2,700ft (825m)

We park near the small ski resort of Vianova and stride along a wide forest track shaded by beech trees towards the beginning of a small footpath that ascends to the limestone plateau of Monte Sumbra. On the way, we pass limestone karst and soon arrive at our first viewpoint. From here, it’s a 10-minute walk to the limestone plateau with magnificent views of the ‘Half Dome’ of Monte Sumbra and a 360-degree view, comprising the Garfagnana, Apennine range, Apuan Alps and the coastline. The option of continuing to the summit is given here; those who wish to continue will cross the rocky plateau and follow a small path across the slopes before ascending a couple of steeper sections to the grassy mound of Monte Sumbra. After a picnic lunch, those at the summit retrace their steps to join the rest of the group before descending to the ‘charcoal trail’, a route bordered by beech trees once used for fuel. Arriving back at the bus, we jump in for the journey back to Braccicorti. Walking distance: 8mi (13km); ascent: 2,495ft (760m); descent: 2,495ft (760m)

Walking from the accommodation, we can enjoy the local agricultural area while meandering through quaint villages and learning about the area’s history. The medieval town of Castiglione is a must-visit, its history seen in the buildings and cobbled streets. A mixture of lanes, tracks, footpaths and meadows takes us to Pieve Fosciana, a locally important town as many baptisms were held here. After lunch, we continue to the heart of the Garfagnana: Castelnuovo. On arrival, we should have time to explore before taking a short train ride to Villetta san Romano and walking the easy 20-minute route back to Braccicorti. Walking distance: 8.5mi (14km); ascent: 1,360ft (415m); descent: 1,360ft (415m)

There are many options today and, with a little planning help from your tour leader, you can relax and enjoy your chosen adventure. A short train ride can take you to the fortified city of Lucca, where there are plenty of activities to fill a day’s visit or enjoy a half day and combine it with a short visit to Pisa. A longer journey by taxi and train takes you to either the World Heritage site of the Cinque Terre to enjoy a leisurely lunch of fresh fish and white wine while overlooking the Ligurian coast or the city of Florence to see Michaelangelo’s David. If you wish to stay closer to home, you are welcome to grab a book and relax by the pool at Braccicorti, take a self-guided walk through the area, rent a bicycle or hire a local guide to show you around the historic sites. Your tour leader will help you make arrangements once you are on the trip and make recommendations for places to eat lunch and dinner.

Approaching Fornovolasco via a beautiful gorge, we park in the village and start the hike along a well-maintained footpath alongside the river. We soon begin to ascend under chestnut and beech trees and see the remnants of the ancient chestnut mill and chestnut-drying houses. After arriving at a col, we follow a good path, as it contours past unusual rock formations and brings us to a refuge in its early stages of renovation. We slowly ascend from the refuge, reaching the impressive rock arch of Monte Forato within 40 minutes. After our packed lunch, we walk a well-trodden path across a beautiful meadow often blanketed with a variety of flora and with views of the Apennine mountains on the opposite valley. We leave the craggy peaks of Pania Secca as we descend through the beech and chestnut trees to bring us back to Fornovolasco and our drive back to Braccicorti. Walking distance: 7mi (11km); ascent: 2,755ft (840m); descent: 2,755ft (840m)

Gaining height on the drive, we start our walk from 4,304ft (1,312m) above sea level, with an easy incline under beech trees and along a wide forest track that winds up to our ridge approach. Blanketed with mirtilli berries and juniper, the Tuscan Apennines are home to marmots, foxes, pine martens and mountain hare. We may see a bird of prey on the hunt, kestrels, buzzards and golden eagles frequent the area, while muflone, red and roe deer, wild boar and wolves cross between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. Every small ascent is rewarded with a path that contours along the north side of the ridge and is easy underfoot, providing some respite and a chance to reflect on the week’s activities as we approach Monte Prado. On a good day, the summit provides uninterrupted views to the north that stretch as far as the French Alps and to the south beyond Pisa. After lunch, we retrace our steps along the ridge approximately three-quarters of the way before taking a descent past a small shepherd’s hut and re-entering the beech forest, arriving back at our start point. If time allows, there is an opportunity to enjoy an end-of-week drink at the hotel before the drive back to Braccicorti. Walking distance: 10mi (16km); ascent: 2,740ft (835m); descent: 2,740ft (835m)