Walking in Tuscany

5.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Our Price From 2,698 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 169 Per Person
 Trip Length
8 Days
 Trip Starts
Braccicorti
 Trip Finishes
Braccicorti
8 Day Walking in Tuscany Itinerary (Exodus)
Countries Explored: Italy
Trip Style
Walking & Trekking
Departures
Budget
Affordable
Max. Group Size
14
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
TDT

Overview

Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Exodus 8 Day Walking in Tuscany. Garfagnana, close to the much-loved trio of Lucca, Pisa and Florence, is one of the best-kept secrets in Italy and the perfect base for guided walking holidays in Tuscany. Lying between the striking peaks of the Alpi Apuane and Apennine ranges, the astonishing Garfagnana landscape is a far cry from the rolling hills of southern Tuscany.

But that provides us with abundant hiking opportunities, which, along with picturesque mountaintop and lakeside villages coupled with warm...read more local hospitality, make for a wonderful trip.

Itinerary

We gather at Agriturismo Braccicorti, approximately 4mi (6km) from Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and two hours from Pisa Airport. You can refresh yourself with a dip in the pool, before we gather for a welcome briefing later in the day. Please note: Most departures for this trip have been graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate) ; however, if you're looking to push yourself, join one of our Activity Level 5 (Challenging) departures. This itinerary provides a day-by-day schedule for both Activity Levels.

Please check the Dates & Prices tab to confirm the Activity Level rating for each departure before booking. If you have extra days at hand and are willing to extend your adventure, consider booking additional nights in Pisa or Florence. Speak to your Sales Consultant for more information on our ‘Pre-Tour', ‘Post-Tour' and ‘City Extension' packages (D).

After breakfast at Braccicorti, we drive to the small village of Pruno where we begin our walk into Orecchiella National Park. In spring, the area can be covered in snow punctuated by the tracks of wolves, deer and mountain hares. Late spring and summer, it is carpeted with an array of beautiful flowers and the beech trees sprout lime-green leaves, which transform to deep oranges, browns and reds in autumn. If we are lucky, we might spot birds of prey; perhaps common or honey buzzards, or even a golden eagle. Our walk, which is set among beautiful beech trees, steadily ascends to the flat summit of Pania di Corfino, where you can enjoy stunning 360-degree views.

After a leisurely picnic lunch, we head to the 16th-century village of Campaiana, before following an ancient mule track, which descends to the town of Corfino. Walking distance: 8mi (13km) ; ascent: 1,978ft (603m) ; descent: 1,978ft (603m) ; maximum altitude: 5,259ft (1,603m) (B/L/D).

Today we drive 40 minutes to the small village of Vianova and begin our walk into Alpi Apuane National Park. Much of our initial ascent is on a wide forest track that continues through beech woods to our first viewpoint across to the face of Pania della Croce and the Omo Morto range. From here, we take a footpath ascending to a limestone plateau where there is an optional ascent to the summit of Monte Sumbra (5,791ft/1,765m).

Weather permitting, we will enjoy an uninterrupted view of the Alpi Apuane range, the Ligurian coast and the enormous spine of the Apennines. After lunch on the summit, we retrace our steps back to the limestone plateau, before heading down through the trees following one of the old charcoal trails back to the minibus. On the return to Braccicorti, we stop in the lovely town of Careggine (time permitting). Walking distance: 10mi (16km) ; ascent: 2,205ft (672m) ; descent: 2,205ft (672m) ; maximum altitude: 5,791ft (1,765m) (B/L).

With a change of guide for the day, we walk directly from the farmhouse at 1,345ft (410m), firstly visiting the new town of Villa Collemandina before heading to the church and learning about the history of the area. After, the route follows tracks, quiet lanes and footpaths through the local farmland and villages allowing us a real insight into local life.

Midway through the day, we will arrive at Castiglione di Garfagnana at 1,788ft (545m), a small but beautiful medieval town. Castiglione is also the place where the largest and most popular chestnut festival in the region is held each autumn, celebrating the chestnut tree and the growth of truffles and mushrooms. After lunch, we cross a 13th-century bridge below the town leading into more farmland and back to Braccicorti on easy tracks. Walking distance: 12mi (19km) ; ascent: 476ft (145m) ; descent: 476ft (145m) ; maximum altitude: 1,788ft (545m) (B/L/D).

Today is free to enjoy any of the following optional activities: one-hour train journey to visit the stunning fortified city of Lucca; 20-minute taxi and 90-minute train journey to the coastal Unesco World Heritage site of the Cinque Terre; 2hr 30min train journey to visit the capital city of Florence, home of Michelangelo's David; or the 90-minute train journey to Pisa where you can ascend the leaning tower and walk along the beautiful river Arno.

There are also plenty of options closer to home. Relax with a good book at the farmhouse and make use of the sun loungers and outdoor pool, take a walk down to Lago di Pontecosi for lunch or take a 10-minute train ride to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana for lunch and a walk to the old castle (B).

A 25-minute drive to Lago di Vagli, with its submerged village and impressive Monte Sumbra backdrop, will bring us to the start point for the day: Vagli Sotto. From here, we walk on a small footpath to the town of Vagli Sopra where we continue to ascend on a section of the pilgrimage walk through chestnut woods to arrive at the 16th-century shepherds' village of Campocatino. Wandering through the village and seeing the beautiful, terraced meadows, protected by the impressive wall of Roccandagia, it is easy to understand why the shepherds chose this location.

From here, we continue to our highest point for the day at 3,904ft (1,190m) before descending through the trees to San Viviano's Hermitage. Built into the rock face, the tiny hermitage is said to be where San Viviano lived before his bones were discovered in 1993. It is now used as a chapel and pilgrimage site. Our descent takes a rarely used mountain path with views across the valley before arriving back at the bus. Walking distance: 8mi (12. 5km) ; ascent: 2,067ft (630m) ; descent: 2,067ft (630m) ; maximum altitude: 3,904ft (1,190m) (B/L/D).

We start the day with a 40-minute drive to the small ski area of Casone. Walking through beech woods brings us to the beginning of the Crinali ridge, a section of the 994mi (1,600km) Apennine ridge in the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park, offering some of the most impressive views of the week. Look below to see the fiery colours of the forest between the ridge line of Tuscany and the opposite ridge of Emilia Romagna.

We take an easy path along the undulating ridge, leading up to the peak of Monte Prado, the highest in Tuscany at 6,739ft (2,054m). After lunch, we retrace our steps before descending on another route through woodland back to Casone, where there is a bar to enjoy a well-earned drink. Walking distance: 10mi (16km) ; ascent: 2,428ft (740m) ; descent: 2,428ft (740m) ; maximum altitude: 6,739ft (2,054m) (B/L/D).

This morning we'll enjoy one final breakfast, before saying a fond farewell to Agriturismo Braccicorti, which may feel like a home-from-home by now (B).

Trip Inclusions

  • Enjoy five wonderful walking days through the idyllic mountains of Tuscany
  • Stay in a beautifully situated Tuscan farmhouse with a swimming pool
  • Opportunity to visit Lucca on the free day

  • Seven nights in a farmhouse with a swimming pool
  • Five days' walking; one free day
  • Activity Level 3 and Activity Level 5 departures available; see the Dates & Prices tab to confirm
  • Option to book an extension package
  • All breakfasts, five picnic lunches, five dinners
  • All transport and activities
  • Tour leader throughout

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
  • Maximum altitude: 6,739ft (2,054m); average 3,281ft (1,000m)
About Exodus Travels
About Exodus Travels

Hit the trails with Exodus - from challenging peaks to leisurely coastal and countryside walks. Read more

Exodus Trip Leaders
Exodus Trip Leaders

Exodus chooses their Leaders carefully. Professional, dedicated and are passionate about sharing their home countries. Read more

Accommodation with Personality
Accommodation with Personality

Wherever possible, Exodus chooses properties that are locally owned and that reflect the area you are visiting. Read more

Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Walking in Tuscany' Reviews

5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
1 Review
5 Star
100%
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1 Star
Not your typical Tuscany tour   0 , QLD, Australia, Sep 2019
If you enjoy hiking into the mountains and are reasonably fit with a head for heights then you'll love this tour. The farm stay accommodation was excellent. The home-cooking was a gastronomic delight accompanied each night by locally produced red wine. Generous and varied buffet breakfasts were a great way to fuel up for the day's hiking. We made up ...read more our own lunches from the previous night's dinner leftovers. The Garfagnana Valley where our farm stay was located, is away from the tourist trail. The local towns are authentic and unspoiled by commercialism.

Being a centre-based tour required some driving to reach each days hike. The local mountain roads are narrow, winding and steep in places so you'll need to be OK with the swaying motion of the minibus. The trails are generally well formed, easy to follow and not too steep. We've hiked to much higher altitudes on other trips but the views on this trip were still stunning and unforgettable. Complimentary transfers from and to Pisa airport were a bonus for Australian travellers. The 12 travellers comprising our group were a mix of Australians, English and Scottish aged 34 to 72, average age about 60. They were a friendly bunch, just big enough to get to know a few over a week of hiking.

Our English guide resides at the farm for the hiking season and is part of the "family". Sara is the absolute best guide you could hope to have. She is caring, super organised, bilingual, very fit and has a deep knowledge of local trails, weather, flora, fauna and geology. We highly recommend the Exodus Walking in Tuscany trip. It's excellent value in a great location with a great guide, great accommodation and great food.

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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Exodus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Exodus. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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