Grottorotondo (Alpi Apuane)
Usually a first day walk this has a little bit of something for everyone. Starting from the house we saunter through chestnut woodland to the village of Brucciano. Upwards to the Forcone ridge where there are fabulous views of the Monte Forato arch, Monte Procinto and up to the day’s highest point at Grottorotondo (1068m). A hike to the village of Sassi for a late lunch at Il Totto and a meander home via a plunging river valley.
Total elevation 700m, time 5 hours approx.
The Panias (Alpi Apuane)
A big Mountain day starting with a short drive to Piglionico (1008m) where there is a memorial to WW2 partisans. Contour round the north of the Pania to Refugio del Freo before a climb up to the summit of Pania della Croce (1858m). There is a ridge walk followed by a scree filled gulley taking us down to Refugio Rossi (1609m). A clamber up the Pania Secca (1709m) adds a further hour to the trip before a descent through beautiful beech forest to the car.
Total elevation 900m, time 8 hours.
Pania di Corfino (Apennines)
A short drive to Corfino on the Apennine side of the Serchio, shows the Garfagnana valley opening up and ancient villages clinging to hillsides. Starting at the town of Corfino (836m) we wind upwards on a cobbled mule track and head along the steep sided path to the south of the Pania. On up through beech forest for a quick drink from the Fonte del Amore (Fountain of Love) and then a stop at the ancient shepherds village of Campaiana (1358m). Winding up to the summit of the Pania di Corfino takes a further hour. A steep descent to Rifugio Isera and then a contour round and back to Corfino. This walk shows off the jagged peaks of the Apuane Ridge to great effect.
Total elevation 800m time 6 hours.
Monte Giovo and the Apennine Ridge (Apennines)
An hours drive across the Serchio valley and up through the foot hills of the Apennines takes us to the village of Renaio before stopping at Vetricia (1308m). The walk begins quite steeply up through beech forest before emerging on the Apennine pasture and winding along the hill side to la Porticciola (1700m). Here we drop down via Hannibals camp to Lago Santo (1501m). A saunter round to Lago Baccio for a picnic lunch on the shore before the steady ascent back to the ridge just short of Monte Rondinaio (1964m). Turning north along the knife edge ridge there is a bit of a scramble to the summit of Mt Giovo (1991m) before a steady descent to Vetricia. There are options from Lago Santo for a more swift ascent – shorter and steeper.
Total Elevation 1000m time 9 hours +.
Matanna (Alpi Apuane)
An hour’s drive through a steep sided valley of Fabbriche di Vallico takes us to a starting point at Alto Matanna (1038m). A short walk takes us to a ridge over looking the sea with views to Corsica and Elba before plunging down into a verdant, flower strewn meadow to traverse round Monte Matanna. Into the woods where porcupine and deer have been spotted to lunch at the Rifugio Forte dei Marmi overlooking the town of St Anna di Stazzema, scene of a gruesome wartime massacre. Under the imposing stack of Monte Procinto the path winds round the hill to Foce delle Porchette (982). For the adventurous, it is possible to head north for the steep ridge walk to Monte Forato Arch. The more usual route takes us up a couple of steep ascents and back through the beautiful woodland to Matanna.
Total elevation (550m) time 6 hours ( 7+ to Monte Forato).
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